- Had the same debate last year. My old roof was two layers deep already—looked like a patchwork quilt and weighed a ton.
- Ended up biting the bullet and did a full tear-off. Yeah, it was a pain (and my driveway looked like a shingle graveyard for a week), but at least I found some rotten spots in the decking I never would've seen otherwise.
- Agree on curled shingles—layering over those just makes things lumpy. My neighbor did that and now you can spot every dip from the street.
- Venting is one of those sneaky things you don’t think about until you get ice dams or the attic feels like a sauna. I added ridge vents when I redid mine—made a bigger difference than I expected.
- In northern climates, skipping the ice/water shield is just asking for trouble. I learned that the hard way after a brutal February thaw.
- Tear-off cost me more upfront, but now I’m not worrying about leaks every time we get a weird rainstorm. Worth it for the peace of mind.
If money’s tight, layering might make sense, but honestly, if you’re planning to stay put, tear it off and do it right. Your future self will thank you... probably.
- Totally with you on the tear-off. I had three layers on mine (previous owners just kept stacking), and it was a mess underneath—found a couple of soft spots I never would've caught otherwise.
- Layering might save cash short-term, but my insurance actually flagged it during an inspection. Apparently, some companies won’t cover more than two layers.
- Ridge vents made a huge difference for us too. Our attic used to feel like a sauna in July, now it’s way more bearable.
- Only thing I’d add: if you’re DIY-ing, budget extra for dumpster fees... those old shingles add up fast.
I get the appeal of just slapping another layer on, especially when you see the price difference up front. But honestly, I’m not convinced it’s worth the risk—hidden rot, insurance headaches, and maybe even resale issues down the line. Has anyone actually had a layered roof last as long as a full tear-off? Or is that just wishful thinking from the shingle sales pitch?
If I had a nickel for every time someone asked about layering versus tearing off... well, I’d probably have enough to pay for a new roof myself. Here’s the thing—layering can look like a sweet deal, but it’s kinda like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe. You might get away with it for a while, but any rot or bad decking under there is just gonna keep getting worse. I’ve seen double-layer roofs limp along for 10-15 years, but never as long as a proper tear-off. Plus, insurance folks love to nitpick layered jobs, and home inspectors will call it out if you ever sell. If you’re planning to stay put and your old shingles are in decent shape, maybe you’ll squeeze some extra years out of it. Personally? I always recommend starting fresh if the budget allows—less drama down the road, and you don’t have to cross your fingers every time it rains.
You nailed it—layering always sounds easier, but there’s usually a catch. I’ve been on jobs where the boss decided to save time and slap a second layer on, and it looked fine from the street, but under those old shingles? Total mess. Water stains, soft spots in the decking... you name it. Sometimes you don’t even find out until you step right through a rotten board.
Here’s how I think about it, step by step:
1. Look at the existing roof—are the shingles curling, missing, or showing signs of moss? If yes, layering’s probably just hiding problems.
2. Check local codes. Some places don’t even allow more than two layers. If you’ve already got one, might not have a choice.
3. Think about weight. Two layers can get heavy, especially with older rafters or trusses.
4. If you ever want to sell, inspectors flag layered roofs all the time. That could mean extra costs later.
5. Budget matters, but sometimes paying for a tear-off now saves money on repairs later.
I get why people want to avoid the hassle and cost of tearing everything off, but I’ve seen too many “quick fixes” turn into big headaches. On the flip side, I know a guy who put a second layer on his shed roof and it’s held up fine for years—but that’s a shed, not a house.
Curious—has anyone here actually had insurance refuse a claim because of a second layer? I keep hearing stories, but never seen it firsthand. Maybe it depends on the company or where you live?
