I’ve run into this a few times—overlay jobs can be a headache if you ever need to file a warranty claim. Most shingle manufacturers I’ve dealt with only back their product fully if it’s installed on a single layer. Even local inspectors have flagged issues when there’s more than one layer, especially if there’s any sign of rot or trapped moisture underneath. It might look like a shortcut, but you could end up paying more in the long run if something goes wrong. Always worth reading the warranty details closely... some are stricter than others.
That’s a good point about warranties—sometimes folks don’t realize the fine print can really bite you later. When you’re looking at an older roof, do you usually check for ventilation issues too? I’ve seen double layers trap heat and moisture, which can mess with the whole attic system.
When you’re looking at an older roof, do you usually check for ventilation issues too? I’ve seen double layers trap heat and moisture, which can mess with the whole attic system.
That’s spot on—ventilation gets overlooked way too often. I remember tearing off a 30-year-old roof last summer, and the homeowner had no idea there were two layers up there. The attic was like a sauna, and mold had started creeping along the rafters. Double layers can save money upfront, but if the airflow’s blocked, you’re just asking for trouble down the road. I always check for soffit and ridge vents before making any recommendations. Sometimes it’s worth biting the bullet and doing a full tear-off just to get things breathing right again.
- Not every double layer is a disaster, honestly. Seen plenty that held up fine for 15+ years, especially when the first layer was solid and vents weren’t blocked.
- Tear-offs are ideal if there’s rot or serious airflow issues, but in some storm-prone areas, folks just want a quick fix before the next hail season. Second layers can buy time at a lower upfront cost.
- Mold risk is real, no doubt, but I’ve also run into cases where attic ventilation was bad regardless of how many shingle layers there were. Sometimes it’s just poor vent design from the start.
- If the decking’s good and you’ve got proper ridge/soffit vents, a second layer isn’t always a death sentence—just gotta be careful with weight limits and local codes.
- Personally, I check for soft spots and trapped moisture before recommending a full tear-off. Sometimes it’s overkill if the structure’s still sound.
Not saying it’s always the best route, but I wouldn’t rule out adding a layer in every case. Depends a lot on what you find once you get up there...
If the decking’s good and you’ve got proper ridge/soffit vents, a second layer isn’t always a death sentence—just gotta be careful with weight limits and local codes.
Couldn’t agree more. I slapped a second layer on my old ranch after a hailstorm, figuring I’d buy myself five years—ended up getting twelve before I finally caved and did the full tear-off. Not perfect, but it held up just fine. Sometimes “good enough” is all you really need, especially if the bones of the house are still solid. Just gotta watch for those sneaky soft spots… learned that one the hard way when my foot went through the porch roof.
