I’ve wondered if the extra weight from a second layer ever causes issues down the line, especially with older framing. My neighbor went the “add a layer” route and ended up with sagging spots a few years later—contractor said it was borderline for code but insurance didn’t want to touch it. Has anyone had luck getting a straight answer from their insurer before starting work?
The weight question comes up a lot, especially in homes built before the ‘70s. I’ve seen older rafters and trusses that were never designed for modern roofing loads, let alone a double layer of asphalt shingles. In my area (Midwest, lots of snow load in winter), I’ve inspected a couple houses where the second layer pushed things right to the edge—rafters start bowing, decking gets soft, and you see those telltale dips between trusses. Sometimes it takes years to show up, sometimes it’s almost immediate if the framing was already stressed.
I’ve actually had clients call their insurance companies before doing a re-roof, thinking they’d get a clear answer about coverage. Most of the time, the insurer punts—says they’ll “review” if there’s ever a claim but won’t give a straight yes or no about covering damage from extra weight. One adjuster told me off the record that if it’s not code-compliant or there’s evidence of overloading, they’ll fight any payout for structural repairs. That lines up with what you saw with your neighbor.
Honestly, I get why people want to just add a layer—cheaper, less mess, faster. But unless the framing is beefy and in great shape, it feels like rolling the dice. I’ve even seen some local codes now requiring full tear-offs on anything pre-1980 just because of all these issues cropping up.
If you’re dealing with an older house or questionable framing, I’d lean toward full removal every time. It’s more upfront cost but way less risk for sagging or voided insurance down the road. And if you’re ever selling? Home inspectors (like me) will flag double layers as a potential problem for buyers and lenders.
Out of curiosity—has anyone actually gotten something in writing from their insurer about this? I’ve never seen it happen, but maybe someone’s had better luck...
