Trying to figure out if it’s worth paying extra for a full tear-off or just slapping new shingles over the old ones. My roof’s about 18 years old (asphalt, pretty standard), and I’m in Michigan, so winters are rough. Anyone regret going with an overlay, or did it save you a bunch? Wondering if the cost difference is really as big as some contractors say.
- Overlay’s cheaper up front, but you’re trapping any problems (rot, leaks, bad decking) under there.
- Michigan winters are rough—ice dams + heavy snow can find weak spots fast.
- Tear-off is more waste, but you get to fix what’s underneath and your new shingles last longer.
- I did an overlay once to save cash...regretted it when the old layer started curling and the whole thing looked wavy.
- If you’re staying long-term, full tear-off is worth it. Short term? Maybe overlay, but it’s a gamble.
That’s a solid breakdown. I went with a tear-off last year after finding some soft spots near the eaves—turned out there was way more rot than I thought. It cost more up front, but honestly, peace of mind is worth it, especially with Michigan winters. If you’re handy, you can save a bit by doing demo yourself, but it’s messy work. Either way, you’re thinking it through the right way.
- Tear-off always uncovers more than you expect. Seen it a hundred times after storms—hidden rot, bad decking, even old nails poking through insulation.
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Couldn’t agree more. Up here, if you’ve got any rot or soft spots, a second layer just traps moisture and makes things worse.“It cost more up front, but honestly, peace of mind is worth it, especially with Michigan winters.”
- Demo’s brutal, though. Not everyone’s up for hauling shingles and dealing with the mess. If you’re not careful, you can damage the sheathing or gutters too.
- Curious—did your insurance cover any of the rot or was it all out of pocket? Sometimes storm damage gets missed in the initial adjuster visit.
- Anyone else run into issues with ice dams after a second layer? I’ve seen more leaks on double-layer roofs after heavy snow. Just wondering if that’s been anyone else’s experience.
Title: Weighing the pros and cons: full roof removal vs. just adding a new layer
That’s a good point about ice dams. I’ve read that two layers can make it harder for heat to escape, so the snow melts unevenly and refreezes at the eaves. I’m leaning toward a tear-off for that reason, but the price difference is no joke—got quotes that were $2k+ higher for full removal. Still, if there’s hidden rot, I’d rather know now than pay for repairs later. Insurance didn’t cover anything here since it was just age, not storm damage.
