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Can I Install a New Roof Over My Old Shingles?

July 24, 2019

In the interest of saving cost and time, some homeowners may wonder “Can you put new roofing shingles over old ones?” Technically, you could. But would we recommend it? No, we wouldn’t. Here’s why.

Roofs Are More Than Just Shingles

Most local building codes only allow a maximum layer of two layers of shingles. In some areas, especially those with a lot of icy weather, they only allow one. That’s because shingles are only one of the multiple layers of your roof; they are really not designed to be layered on top of another. Many roofs are also built to support the weight of one layer of shingles. Adding an extra layer of shingles could be too much for your roof to handle. If you install new roof shingles over old ones, your roof might sag and lose integrity over time.

Layering shingles on top of one another also means you’re not getting a good idea of what’s going on underneath the top layer of your roof. The roof also consists of decking and underlayment. A reliable roofer will always do a roof inspection to see what needs to be fixed before re-roofing. But by not removing your old layer of shingles, you are ultimately opting out of replacing your underlayment. If your underlayment is old and deteriorated, water is more likely to get underneath your shingles and into your roof deck. Unfortunately, that means your roof could start leaking sooner than you might think, and it may even mean you’ll have to replace your “new” roof in just a couple of years.

You’re Not Really Saving Money

Part of the roofing job is to remove old shingles and dispose of them. This shows up on the roofing estimate, which is why some clients may think they can save money if they install new roof shingles over old shingles. However, installing new roof shingles over one ones will probably end up costing you more money later on. Any damages that weren’t repaired prior to re-roofing could become bigger problems that end up being more costly. If you end up having to replace your “new” roof sooner than later, that is also a bigger cost than if you had properly disposed of your old roof to begin with.

It May Affect Your Roof’s Warranty

Lastly, shingle manufacturers will often void their warranty if their materials were improperly used or installed. Again, not only does it NOT save you money, but it will COST you money. It’s crucial to find a local roofing contractor who understands the installation requirements from the manufacturers. This ensures your warranty works for you.

Since 1969, IBEX Roof has been an accredited CertainTeed Select Shingle Master™ contractor. We are proud to deliver only the best results for our customers. Our job is not only to help you repair or replace your roof, but to also make sure it lasts! Many of our customers end up being customers for life, and we do our best to go the extra mile before, during, and after every roofing project. To get a free estimate for your next roofing project, give us a call at 360-218-3108.

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Step 1

Phone Consultation

When we speak with you over the phone, we'll listen to your needs to see if we're a good fit for your roofing project.
Step 2

Free Roof Estimate

Our Roof Estimators provide in-home or no-contact free estimates. We listen to your design needs and give you an honest, detailed quote.
Step 3

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IBEX Roof

At IBEX Roof, we strive to make your experience with us as straightforward and stress-free as possible. We’ll explain everything in detail and provide an exact estimate for your project. We’ll show up on time, keep disruptions to your home and property to a minimum, and make sure you’re happy with our work once we’re finished.
We are True Roofing Experts.
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We have spent years in residential roofing and commercial roofing work—always with an eye on improving our process.
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We believe in quality. That starts with the roofing materials we use on every job; continues in the methods of safe, efficient working standards we employ for our team and continues right down to the experience we create for our clients.
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We’re in this for the long haul, and we know that just isn’t possible by producing sub-standard work or creating poor working relationships.

The roofing profession isn’t known for offering the best customer service experience. We’re here to change that by setting a new industry standard.
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