Seen way too many “quick fixes” come back to haunt folks. I’ve inspected roofs where a second layer just hid rotten sheathing and let leaks go unnoticed for years. Sure, it costs less up front, but you end up paying more in repairs later. Sometimes shortcuts just aren’t worth it, especially with roofs—water finds every weakness.
Sure, it costs less up front, but you end up paying more in repairs later.
I hear this a lot, and honestly, I get why folks are tempted by the cheaper route. When we bought our place, the inspector flagged a second layer of shingles—looked fine from the street but turned out there was a ton of hidden rot underneath. Ended up costing us way more to fix. But I do wonder, is there ever a situation where adding a second layer actually makes sense? Maybe for certain climates or roof types? Or is it just always a ticking time bomb?
But I do wonder, is there ever a situation where adding a second layer actually makes sense?
Honestly, I get the appeal—less mess, less cash up front. But in my experience, it’s rarely worth it. Even in milder climates, that second layer just traps heat and moisture, which can speed up rot or mold. Plus, you’re adding weight your roof might not be designed for. Maybe if you’ve got a super solid structure and bone-dry conditions... but most of the time, it’s just kicking the can down the road. I’d rather rip it off and know what’s underneath.
Even in milder climates, that second layer just traps heat and moisture, which can speed up rot or mold.
I hear you, but I’ve seen a couple cases where it wasn’t a total disaster. My neighbor did a second layer on his old ranch house—dry climate, super sturdy rafters, and he was planning to sell in a few years anyway. Not ideal for long-term sustainability, but it bought him time without a huge upfront cost. Still, I always wonder about the hidden damage... you really can’t see what’s going on underneath until you strip it all off. Anyone else ever regret not doing a full tear-off?
That “hidden damage” part is exactly why I always push for a full tear-off, even if the upfront cost stings. I’ve managed a few properties where folks tried to save money with a second layer, and sure, sometimes it works for a quick fix—especially if you’re flipping or just buying time. But more often, we ended up with nasty surprises down the road: rotten decking, trapped moisture, even pest issues. I get the appeal of saving cash, but in my experience, skipping the tear-off usually means paying more later.
