Asphalt Shingles: To Layer or Not to Layer?

Manufacturers make over 12.5 billion square feet of asphalt shingles every year, according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association. With such a high quantity of these shingles made annually, it's no surprise that they're a top choice for many homeowners.

Even though this type of roofing material can easily withstand winds, snow, ice, and rain, over time asphalt shingles can start to degrade. When your roof starts to degrade, you have two courses of action to consider: repair or replace.

Sometimes a spot replacement or a patch won't solve the roofing problem. If adding a layer to your existing roof is something you're considering, then take a look at why adding a second layer of asphalt shingles isn't always the best option available.

Surface Condition

Layering new asphalt shingles over a smooth, even surface is an ideal situation. If your existing roof doesn't have bumps, lumps, grooves, or pits, then the roofer may be able to skip the teardown and go straight to the re-roofing. However, for many homeowners, this isn't the case.

Brittle, curled, missing, or broken shingles create an uneven surface. This makes adding a second layer challenging at best.

Local Laws

Not every municipality, city, or township has the same building ordinances. However, some may prohibit layering shingles over existing shingles. In some regions, adding new shingles over two or more layers is a major offense.

Structural Support

The next question you need to ask is how much weight can your roof support? For many homes, the answer is no more than two layers of asphalt shingles.

Most homes aren't built to withstand the added stress of extra roofing layers. Before making any decisions, ask a professional roofing contractor to assess your roof.

Wood Rot

What's under your existing roof? If missing or broken shingles have caused leaks, then you may have wood rot. While layering more asphalt shingles on top of the worn ones will technically stop the water problem, it won't do anything to fix the existing damage.

In order to truly repair the roof, the contractor will need to remove the shingles, replace any materials that are rotted or damaged, and add a completely new roof.

Do you need a roof repair or replacement? Contact our experts at Econo Roofing for more information on your options.