Has anyone here actually had storm damage after doing a second layer? I’ve seen a few cases where wind ripped up both layers, and the repair was a nightmare. Sometimes the extra weight alone can be an issue, especially on older rafters—my uncle’s 60s ranch started sagging after his second layer went on. Not saying that’s always the case, but it’s something to think about if your framing isn’t beefy.
I get the appeal of saving money upfront, but I keep wondering if it just kicks the can down the road. Like, if you’re in a spot with heavy rain or snow, does that second layer really hold up as well? I’ve heard mixed things from local contractors—some say it’s fine for a decade or so, others swear you’re asking for trouble.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned much: how does adding another layer affect your warranty? My neighbor got denied coverage because his shingle manufacturer wouldn’t honor anything over one layer. That surprised me. Anyone else run into that?
I’m in the Midwest, so hail is a big concern. After last spring’s storm, my insurance adjuster said they’d only pay out for full tear-off since they want to inspect the decking for hidden damage. Made me wonder if skipping that step could cost more in the long run.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with synthetic underlayment when doing a full tear-off? I’ve heard it holds up better than felt, especially with all the freeze/thaw cycles we get here.
That’s a good point about warranties—most people don’t realize manufacturers can be really strict about that second layer. I’ve seen the same thing happen with denied claims, and it’s a headache nobody wants after spending all that money. The weight issue is real too, especially on older homes. My neighbor’s 70s split-level started showing some weird ceiling cracks after his second layer went on, and the roofer blamed the extra load.
On storm damage, it seems like the double-layer roofs in my area (I’m in the upper Midwest) don’t fare as well with hail or high winds. The top layer just doesn’t seal down as tight, and if water gets between the layers, it can rot out the decking without you noticing until it’s too late. That’s probably why insurance adjusters push for tear-offs—they want to see what’s actually going on underneath.
About synthetic underlayment: I switched to it last year when we did a full tear-off. It was pricier than felt but seems to handle our wild freeze/thaw swings better—no wrinkling or leaks so far. Anyone else notice it’s less slippery to walk on too? Maybe that’s just me...
Totally get where you’re coming from. The whole “just add another layer” thing sounded like a shortcut, but the more I dig into it, the more red flags I see—especially with warranty headaches and hidden damage. I’m leaning toward a full tear-off myself, even though it’s pricier up front. And yeah, synthetic underlayment actually felt safer when I walked on it during my attic inspection...maybe not just you after all.
I’m right there with you—when I first heard about just adding another layer, it sounded like a no-brainer. But then I started reading up on it and, yeah, all those stories about hidden rot and insurance not covering stuff if you don’t do a full tear-off...kinda freaked me out. I’m in the Midwest, so we get a lot of freeze/thaw cycles, and I keep wondering if that makes the risk of trapped moisture even worse.
Did you get any quotes yet? The price difference for me was bigger than I expected, but the peace of mind is tempting. Also, totally agree about the synthetic underlayment—it felt way sturdier than I thought it would. Is it weird that I trust it more than the old felt paper? Maybe it’s just because it’s new, but still.
Anyway, sounds like you’re thinking it through carefully. It’s a lot to weigh, but at least we’re not alone in second-guessing the “easy” option.
The freeze/thaw cycles you get in the Midwest are no joke—trapped moisture can really do a number on decking if there’s any rot hiding under the old shingles. I’ve seen a few “easy” layover jobs turn into expensive fixes down the line because of that. Synthetic underlayment’s definitely tougher than felt, and it sheds water better, but if there’s already moisture below, it won’t help much. The upfront cost for a tear-off is higher, but you’re right, the peace of mind is hard to put a price on. Sometimes the “cheap” route just kicks the can down the road...