You’re spot on about the landfill issue. Overlaying can be a good move, especially if you’ve checked for rot and made sure the old shingles are flat and sealed. I’ve done overlays on bungalows with solid decks and decent attic airflow—no problems years later. Just gotta double-check flashing and vents, since those are easy to miss under two layers. Not always perfect, but sometimes it really is the practical call.
Just gotta double-check flashing and vents, since those are easy to miss under two layers. Not always perfect, but sometimes it really is the practical call.
That’s the part that always makes me nervous—flashing and vents. I did an overlay on my last house (asphalt shingles, midwest, lots of wind and snow) because the budget just wasn’t there for a full tear-off. The old shingles were in decent shape, no soft spots, and the roofer said the deck was solid. But man, I worried about those hidden leaks around the chimney and bathroom vent. Ended up crawling around the attic with a flashlight after every big storm for a year. Never found a drip, but I still don’t totally trust it.
Overlay definitely saved me a chunk of change—think it was about $2k less than a full removal for my 1,200 sq ft roof. Plus, way less mess in the yard. But I’ve heard some folks say it can void certain warranties or make future repairs trickier. Not sure if that’s just contractors trying to upsell, or if there’s something to it.
One thing I noticed: the roof seemed to get hotter in summer after the overlay. Maybe just my imagination, but the attic felt stuffier. I had decent vents, but maybe two layers just trap more heat? Anyone else run into that?
If I had to do it again, I’d probably still go overlay if the old roof was in good shape and money was tight. But if I was planning to stay in the house long-term, I’d probably bite the bullet and do a full tear-off. Just feels like less to worry about down the road... especially with all this crazy weather lately.
That attic check after every storm sounds familiar... I did the same thing when my folks went with an overlay a few years back. You’re right about the heat—two layers can definitely trap more warmth, especially if the venting isn’t perfect. It’s not just your imagination. As for the warranty thing, it’s not always upsell talk—some shingle manufacturers really do limit coverage on overlays. Still, if the deck’s solid and you’re not planning to stay forever, overlay can be a smart move. Just gotta keep an eye on those tricky spots like you did.
As for the warranty thing, it’s not always upsell talk—some shingle manufacturers really do limit coverage on overlays.
That’s spot on. I’ve run into that with CertainTeed and GAF—if you go with an overlay, their warranties can get pretty restrictive, especially on labor coverage. I had a client a couple years back who was surprised when a leak popped up and the manufacturer wouldn’t touch it because it was a second layer.
One thing I’d add: overlays can hide deck issues that you might not catch until it’s too late. I remember pulling off a double-layer job in the spring and finding a bunch of soft spots that nobody noticed before. If you’re in a humid area or have older decking, that’s something to think about.
But yeah, if the deck’s solid and you’re not worried about long-term resale, overlays save time and money. Just keep an eye on attic temps—sometimes a ridge vent upgrade helps offset the extra heat. Not a perfect solution, but it’s worked for a few folks I know.
I’ve seen overlays work in a pinch, but I always wonder about long-term issues—especially with older homes where the decking’s questionable. Anyone actually had an overlay last 15+ years without problems, or is that just wishful thinking?