I’ve run into this a bunch—honestly, a lot of us just hate surprises under old shingles. I’ve seen decking that looked fine from below but was rotten as a log once we pulled the layers. Codes around here (upper Midwest) usually allow two layers, but insurance and warranties get tricky. Had a client whose insurer refused hail coverage after a second layer went on, even though it wasn’t technically against code. Solar folks I’ve worked with almost always want a single layer, mostly because they don’t want to risk mounting hardware into soft or uneven decking. It’s not always about weight, but more about what you can’t see until you rip it up.
That’s been my experience too—those hidden issues under old shingles are the worst. I remember thinking our decking was solid, but once we started pulling things up, it was a whole different story.
That line hits home. We had to replace way more wood than expected just because of stuff you couldn’t see from inside the attic.“I’ve seen decking that looked fine from below but was rotten as a log once we pulled the layers.”
I get why people want to save money and time by just adding a new layer, especially with how expensive everything’s gotten. But I’ve seen insurance companies use that as a loophole to deny coverage, which is a headache you don’t want after a big storm. Not to mention, if you’re thinking about solar down the road, like you said, they really want everything as clean and solid as possible.
It’s not always an easy call, but in my case, tearing everything off actually gave me some peace of mind. At least I knew what I was dealing with instead of just hoping for the best.
I’ll be honest, I’ve seen way too many “quick fixes” come back to bite folks a few years down the road. Sure, layering might seem like a bargain upfront, but once you start factoring in hidden rot or ventilation issues, those savings disappear fast. Curious if anyone’s actually had an insurance claim go through smoothly after a second layer? I’ve heard mixed stories—sometimes they’ll nitpick anything to avoid paying out. Maybe it depends on the area or the adjuster…
I’ve run into headaches with insurance after a second layer, especially here in the Midwest where storms are common. A lot of adjusters will look for any excuse to deny or reduce a claim, and having two layers on the roof gives them ammo. Sometimes they’ll say the weight contributed to the damage or that leaks were pre-existing. I get why folks want to save money upfront, but tearing off and starting fresh usually pays off in the long run. Plus, you get a better look at what’s happening underneath—hidden rot is no joke.
A lot of adjusters will look for any excuse to deny or reduce a claim, and having two layers on the roof gives them ammo.
Yeah, I’ve heard that too, and honestly it makes me nervous. I get the appeal of just slapping another layer on—my wallet definitely likes that idea more. But then I start thinking about what’s hiding under there. My neighbor did the double-layer thing a few years back to save money, but when he finally had to do a full tear-off after a hailstorm, the decking was a mess. Ended up costing him way more than if he’d just done it right the first time.
I’m in central Illinois, so storms are just part of life here. Insurance companies already seem like they’re looking for reasons not to pay out, so I don’t want to give them any extra ammo. Still, it’s tough when you’re staring down a big bill and the roof “looks fine” from the street. Sometimes I wish roofs came with a check engine light or something... would make these decisions a lot easier.
