That’s been my experience too—especially with these older homes where the framing’s already seen a century of winters. I get why people want to save money and time by layering, but you’re right, it’s risky. I’ve pulled up two layers before and found rotted sheathing and nests... not fun. Plus, local codes here only allow two layers max, so sometimes there’s no choice. The peace of mind from starting fresh is worth the hassle in my book, even if it costs more upfront.
- Totally agree about the peace of mind with a full tear-off, but man, the price tag hurts.
- My place is a 1950s ranch, and when I got quotes, the difference between layering and a full rip was almost $3k. That’s not nothing.
- I get nervous about hidden problems, but sometimes the budget just doesn’t stretch far enough, especially if you’re already dealing with old wiring, plumbing, etc.
- Local code here (Midwest) also caps it at two layers. When I bought the house, inspector made me pull off both before I could even close. Found a bunch of old insulation stuffed in weird spots—guess that was their version of “energy efficiency” back then...
- One thing I noticed: roofers around here push layering hard if you’re not planning to stay long-term. If you’re flipping or selling in a couple years, layering might make sense, but if you’re settling in for a decade or more, probably worth biting the bullet.
- Also, weight’s a real thing. My neighbor ignored it and ended up with sagging rafters after a heavy winter. Not cheap to fix.
- I do wish there was a middle ground—like, some way to check for rot without ripping everything up first. Maybe some kind of scan? Feels like tech should be better by now.
- For me, ended up doing a tear-off just for the warranty. Most shingle warranties don’t cover layered jobs, at least not around here.
It’s never as simple as it sounds on paper. If money wasn’t an issue, sure, tear it all off every time. But sometimes you just have to make do and hope for the best...
That’s the thing—layering sounds like a shortcut, but I’ve seen too many cases where hidden rot or old leaks get missed and turn into a nightmare later. Still, I get why folks do it when budgets are tight. Has anyone actually had luck with those infrared scans for moisture or rot? I’ve heard mixed things, but never tried it myself. Seems like the tech is there, but maybe not as reliable as we’d hope...
Yeah, I’ve seen those infrared scans in action a couple times. They’re cool in theory, but honestly, they can be hit or miss—especially if you’re dealing with older homes or weird attic setups. Sometimes the readings just aren’t clear, and you end up second-guessing anyway. I get why people layer to save cash, but if there’s any doubt about what’s underneath, I’d rather rip it off and know for sure. Hidden rot can get expensive real fast if you miss it.
if there’s any doubt about what’s underneath, I’d rather rip it off and know for sure. Hidden rot can get expensive real fast if you miss it.
- Totally get this. Just last month, I checked a 1960s ranch where the owner had two layers—infrared showed “cold spots,” but attic access was tight and insulation was weirdly piled up. Couldn’t trust the scan alone.
- When I finally got a peek under the eaves, found some gnarly old rot that would’ve been missed if they’d just layered again.
- Layering’s tempting for cost, but in older homes or anywhere with past leaks, I lean towards full tear-off. Peace of mind’s worth it, especially with wood decks that hide trouble.
- That said, newer homes with good records and no signs of leaks? Sometimes layering makes sense if the structure’s solid. Just gotta weigh the risk vs. savings.
