That’s exactly the dilemma I’m in right now—quotes for a second layer are way easier on the budget, but I keep circling back to what’s hiding underneath. I’ve got a 25-year-old asphalt roof, and a couple of soft spots near the eaves that make me nervous. Midwest winters here too, so the extra weight is a real concern. I’m also looking at solar down the line, and every installer I’ve talked to says no-go unless it’s a single layer. It’s tough justifying the extra cost, but I’d rather not gamble with leaks or warranty headaches later. Still, I can’t help but wonder if I’m overthinking it...
I totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen a few roofs where folks went with the second layer to save cash, but then when they finally did a tear-off years later, there was way more rot and damage than anyone expected. Those soft spots you mentioned would make me nervous too, especially with Midwest freeze-thaw cycles. Plus, if you’re thinking about solar, it’s kind of a dealbreaker anyway. It’s a pain up front, but sometimes ripping it all off just gives you peace of mind... and fewer surprises down the road.
That’s exactly what worries me—those hidden problems under old shingles. I get the appeal of saving money, but after seeing my neighbor’s roof turn into a bigger headache (mold, warped decking), I’m leaning toward a full tear-off. Especially in places where winters are brutal, it just seems safer long-term. Anyone else notice insurance companies sometimes won’t cover damage if there’s more than one layer? That was news to me.
That bit about insurance surprised me too—my agent mentioned the same thing when I was asking about coverage.
It’s wild how something that seems like a shortcut can actually cost you way more down the line. I checked under my old shingles last year and found some soft spots in the decking—would’ve never known if I’d just slapped a new layer on top. In cold climates, moisture gets trapped so easily between layers... not worth it for me. I’d rather spend a little more now than risk mold or structural issues later.“Anyone else notice insurance companies sometimes won’t cover damage if there’s more than one layer?”
That’s a good point about moisture—layering shingles can definitely hide a lot of problems. I’ve seen cases where the second layer looked fine, but underneath, the decking was rotted out from years of slow leaks. Insurance adjusters are getting pickier about this stuff too, especially after big storms. Curious if anyone’s run into issues with warranties being voided because of multiple layers? Some manufacturers seem to have pretty strict requirements now.
