Is it OK to lay new shingles over the old ones?

Answer 1

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Provided the old shingles are not in bad shape and there is no bad wood underneath there shouldn't be a problem. and yes,bugear is right.Not more the two layers.

Answer 2

Yes....but you can only do this one time. There should not be more than two layers of shingles on your roof.

Answer 3

Yes but I wouldn't recommend it. The wood under the old ones could be rotted & you need to know that.

Answer 4

no its not okay to lay new shingles over the old ones cause the old ones will poke holes through the old ones.

Answer 5

it won't hurt anything. if you just have one layer on now. it won't hurt to lay a new layer on top. it is best to take the old layer off. but you can get by with not doing it if you really have to. if there is more than one layer on i would take them off. too many layers just adds to the weight on your roof. that's not good.

Answer 6

According to building code and industry standards, yes you are allowed a maximum of two layers of shingles on a roof. But consider these points before you decide that that is the best thing to do:

1) Are you absolutely sure that there is no wood rot or other damage below the existing shingles? No leaks doesn't necessarily mean no rot.

2) Depending on your location and the age of your existing roof, you might not have the ice and water shield that is now common practise to use.

3) You can't do a proper job of increasing attic ventilation, if needed, if you don't remove your old shingles.

4) Flashing (around chimney, etc) cannot be replaced/redone if you're going right over your shingles with new ones.

Doing a roof is a big job (cost and labour) no matter how you go about it, but it would really be a shame to shingle over shingles now and then realize in two years that had you done the job more thoroughly you could have avoided or prevented some other, bigger problems. Good luck.