If you’re not planning to stay long-term, saving a couple grand is hard to argue with. Just gotta know what you’re risking, I guess.
I get the appeal of saving money short-term, but I’d push back a bit—especially if you care about energy efficiency or resale. When you layer shingles, you lose the chance to upgrade your underlayment or add a radiant barrier. That stuff can make a real difference in cooling costs, especially in hotter climates. Plus, buyers (and inspectors) sometimes see double layers as a red flag. Just something to think about before stacking on another layer...
Not gonna lie, I’ve seen some pretty wild shingle sandwiches over the years—three layers deep, and the roof looked like a lumpy mattress. But here’s the thing: if your first layer is still flat and in decent shape, a second layer isn’t always the villain it’s made out to be. In colder spots, you’re not losing much on energy efficiency, and sometimes that “red flag” is more of a yellow one, especially if you’re not planning to sell soon. Just gotta watch your roof’s weight limit and local codes... nobody wants surprise sagging.
- Always wondered why folks get so heated about this.
- Seen a couple roofs with double layers—looked fine, but man, three? That’s just asking for trouble (or a workout for whoever tears it off later).
- My boss says weight’s the big deal. Shingles aren’t light, and if you’ve got older rafters, that extra layer can really push it.
- Local codes here (Midwest) only allow two layers max, but I’ve heard some places are stricter.
- Not sure about the energy thing—some say it’s not a big deal, but I’ve noticed ice dams are worse on double-layered roofs around here. Maybe just our weird winters.
- Tear-offs are messy and cost more, but at least you know what’s under there. Found some gnarly rot once that nobody would’ve seen if we’d just gone over it.
- If you’re not selling soon and the first layer’s solid, I kinda get the appeal of saving cash and time. But if you’re planning to stay long-term, I’d probably lean toward ripping it all off... less mystery that way.
- Anyone else ever find weird stuff under old shingles? We found a squirrel stash once—nuts everywhere.
I get why people want to just slap another layer on and call it a day, but man, the stuff we’ve pulled out from under old shingles... you just never know what’s hiding. Weight’s a big deal too—especially with these older homes. Anyone ever had rafters actually sag from too many layers? That’s my worry more than anything.
I’ve seen rafters sag, and it’s not pretty—especially in these old Victorians where the wood’s already tired. Folks think “one more layer won’t hurt,” but that extra weight adds up fast. Plus, you never know if there’s a squirrel condo hiding under there... I always say, better to rip it off and know what you’re dealing with than gamble on a mystery roof sandwich.