Had to laugh reading about the uncle’s ranch—sounds a lot like my place after last winter. I did an overlay once thinking I was saving cash, but then the old shingles started curling up like potato chips. Next thing I knew, water was finding every possible way in. If you can swing it, tearing off is less of a gamble, but man, it’s tough on the wallet.
That curling shingle thing gets a lot of folks. I’ve seen overlays go sideways just like that—especially after a rough winter. Once those old shingles start warping, it’s only a matter of time before leaks find their way in. I get why people try to save money with a second layer, but there’s always that risk you’re just covering up hidden problems.
I had a job last fall where the homeowner insisted on an overlay to keep costs down. Looked fine for about six months, then the first heavy rain hit and water started seeping in around the valleys. Turns out, the decking underneath was already soft in spots, and the extra weight didn’t help. Ended up costing more in the long run because we had to tear everything off and replace some of the wood.
Tear-offs are definitely harder on the wallet upfront, but you get to see what’s going on underneath and fix it right. Not saying overlays never work, but if your roof’s already showing its age or there’s any sign of rot, it’s usually better to bite the bullet and start fresh.
Tear-offs are definitely harder on the wallet upfront, but you get to see what’s going on underneath and fix it right.
Couldn’t agree more. I tried the overlay route once on my old place—figured I was being clever. Fast forward to spring, and I had a mini waterfall in my attic. Lesson learned: sometimes you gotta rip off the band-aid (and the shingles) to really fix things.
Been there, done that with the overlay too—looked like a quick win until a nasty storm came through. Next thing I knew, water was finding every weak spot and I was up there with buckets. Not my best moment.
Honestly, ripping everything off is a pain and it’s definitely pricier upfront, but at least you know exactly what you’re dealing with. When we finally did a full tear-off on our current place (asphalt shingles, Midwest winters), we found some rotten decking that would’ve just kept getting worse. Would’ve never seen it with another layer slapped on top.
I get why folks go for overlays—cheaper, faster, less mess—but if your roof’s already had a rough life or you’re seeing leaks, it’s just kicking the can down the road. Plus, two layers means more weight and more heat trapped in summer... not great for the attic. If you’re planning to stay in the house a while, tear-off’s the way to go, at least in my book.
You nailed it about the hidden rot—can’t count how many times I’ve seen folks shocked at what’s under those old shingles. Overlays feel like a shortcut but they’re really just a bandaid, especially with all the Midwest freeze/thaw cycles. Moisture gets trapped, decking rots, and suddenly “cheap and easy” turns into a major headache.
One thing I’d add: overlays almost always void any warranty on new shingles. Manufacturers want a clean deck for a reason. And if you’re thinking about energy efficiency, two layers just don’t help—heat gets trapped, your attic bakes, and your A/C works overtime. Not great for utility bills or the planet.
I get the temptation though. That price difference can be hard to ignore, especially if you’re not planning to stick around long-term. But in my experience, full tear-offs are just less risky in the long run… plus it’s a good excuse to upgrade insulation or ventilation while you’re at it.
