I hear you on those “minor” repairs adding up. I manage a few older duplexes and thought I was being clever sticking with asphalt to save cash upfront. Joke’s on me—after a couple of windstorms, I was chasing down loose shingles every spring. The kicker was a leak that started in the attic and didn’t show up until it stained the living room ceiling... twice. Metal’s a bigger investment, but honestly, less time on the ladder is worth something too. If you do go asphalt, double-checking the venting and install is no joke—learned that one the hard way.
I get where you’re coming from, but I wouldn’t write off asphalt just yet. I’ve got a 1950s ranch and went with architectural asphalt shingles five years ago—partly because of the price, partly because I figured I’d be moving in ten years anyway. We get some pretty nasty wind here (Midwest), and I haven’t had a single shingle come loose. I think a lot comes down to install and picking the right product for your area.
If you do go asphalt, double-checking the venting and install is no joke—learned that one the hard way.
Couldn’t agree more with this part. My neighbor cut corners on his install and ended up with ice dams and leaks, while mine’s held up fine. Metal was tempting but the upfront cost was double what I paid for asphalt, and honestly, even if I have to patch something in year 15, it’ll still be cheaper overall for me.
Not saying metal isn’t great—it’s just not always the slam dunk people make it out to be, especially if you’re watching your budget or not planning to stay forever.
I’ve seen a lot of folks regret skimping on install, especially after a couple Midwest storms roll through. Had a client last year who went cheap on labor—half his shingles were in the neighbor’s yard after the first big wind. Meanwhile, my own asphalt roof (properly installed, good venting) has survived hail and some wild gusts. Metal’s great, but yeah, that price tag can sting if you’re not planning to stick around. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, as long as it’s done right.
I get where you’re coming from about install quality making all the difference, but I’ve gotta admit, my experience with asphalt shingles hasn’t been quite as rosy—even with a careful install. I’m in central Illinois, so we get our fair share of wild weather. When I redid my roof seven years ago, I did a ton of research, picked a reputable crew, and even upgraded to architectural shingles. Everything looked great at first.
But here’s the thing: after about five years, I started noticing granule loss and some curling along the south-facing slope. No leaks yet, but I’m already thinking about patching or partial replacement way sooner than I’d hoped. Maybe it’s the sun exposure, maybe just bad luck with the batch, but it’s frustrating. My neighbor went with metal around the same time—yeah, he paid almost double, but his roof looks brand new, and he doesn’t worry about hail or wind at all.
I keep thinking about this bit you mentioned:
Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, as long as it’s done right.
I want to agree, but I’m not sure “good enough” holds up for everyone, especially if you’re planning to stay put for a while. I guess it depends on how long you want the roof to last and how much hassle you’re willing to deal with down the line. If I could do it over, I’d probably bite the bullet and go metal, or at least look into those newer composite shingles that claim to last longer. The upfront cost stings, but I’m starting to think the peace of mind is worth it.
Curious if anyone else has had similar issues with asphalt holding up—or not—over time? Maybe it’s just my luck, but I’m not convinced it’s always the “safe bet” people make it out to be.
Funny thing, I actually went the other way—stuck with asphalt because my wallet nearly fainted at the metal quotes. I’m in Indiana, so not too different weather-wise. My shingles are about 10 years old now, and honestly, they’re holding up better than I expected. A couple of patches after a nasty windstorm, but nothing major. Maybe I just got lucky with the batch? Or maybe my house is hiding under a weird weather bubble. Either way, I get the appeal of metal, but for me, asphalt hasn’t been a total regret... yet.