Can I Put a New Shingle Over the Old?

One of the most common questions a roofer gets asked is whether homeowners can put a new shingle over the old one. The quick answer is yes, you can, but experts do not recommend it. Sometimes, the shingles are already blowing up because of age, installation, or brittleness. And while the upfront savings of overlaying shingles may seem tempting, starting fresh with a new layer is often more cost-effective in the long run.

 

Professional Opinion

Here are a few notes on why most roofing companies don’t consider putting new shingles over old ones to be the best idea:

 

1. There is a risk of improper installation in the shingle-over method. To install a new shingle, you need to bend the old one up to slide in the new one and install it properly. The process can be tricky and may cause installers to damage the existing shingles. The top layer may also become harder to mount and secure properly, possibly leading to issues later.

 

1. It may be more costly in the long run. Overlaying shingles isn’t always cheaper. The associated cost of double-layer tear-off eventually, or damages due to weight strain or poor foundation, makes shingle-over more expensive in the long run.

 

1. It may cause issues with your insurance. Roofing is a considerable liability for the home and putting new shingles over old ones can mess with your warranties and insurance claims. Insurance claims typically contain provisions on “uniform appearance;” thus, overlaying some portions with a non-match shingle may cause problems.

 

Homeowners must address roofing issues as soon as possible but fixing roofs should always be done correctly. It is always a good idea to rely on experts like JBL Roofing and Construction, which has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. Read more about their service or contact them to avail of their services at www.jblrc.com.