I get where you’re coming from about hidden moisture, but I’ve actually seen some cases where a second layer held up surprisingly well—especially on roofs with good ventilation and no history of leaks. Not saying it’s ideal, but for folks on a tight budget, it can buy a few years. That said, you’re right about warranties. Most shingle manufacturers I’ve dealt with won’t honor coverage if there’s more than one layer, and insurance companies are definitely scrutinizing claims more closely these days. It’s a bit of a gamble, honestly.
I hear you on the budget angle—sometimes you just need to keep the rain out and worry about the rest later. But man, every time I see a second layer go on, I picture that roof sweating underneath like it’s wearing two winter coats in July. Ventilation helps, but if there’s even a hint of trapped moisture, you’re basically inviting mold to the party. Plus, when it comes time to go green (solar panels, cool roof coatings, etc.), those extra layers can be a real headache. Still, I get why folks roll the dice... roofs aren’t cheap.
Yeah, I get the budget squeeze, but doubling up on layers always makes me nervous. I’ve seen jobs where the top layer looked fine, but underneath was a mess—rotted decking, mold, the whole deal. Even with decent ventilation, you can’t always see what’s trapped. Plus, tearing off two layers down the road is a pain (and more expensive). Sometimes it feels like saving now just means paying more later… but I know not everyone can swing a full tear-off upfront.
Sometimes it feels like saving now just means paying more later…
That’s what worries me too, especially with how much waste ends up in landfills from old shingles. I lean toward full tear-off, even though it’s pricier upfront. At least you know what’s under there and can fix any hidden issues before they get worse. Plus, if you ever want to add solar or a green roof down the line, you’re starting fresh.
I hear you on the landfill issue—tear-offs definitely add a lot of waste, which isn’t great. But I’ve seen a lot of roofs where adding a new layer just hides rot or soft decking, and that can get expensive down the road. Curious if anyone’s run into warranty problems with a layover? Some manufacturers get picky about coverage if you don’t start from scratch, especially with asphalt shingles.
