Honestly, I get the frustration with patchy repairs, but I’d push back a bit on the whole “asphalt isn’t worth it” thing. Not all shingles are created equal—some of the architectural ones can handle storms way better than basic 3-tabs, and they don’t fade as fast either. In my area, metal’s great for hail but gets LOUD in heavy rain, and some folks hate that. If you’re not in your “forever home,” asphalt might still make sense just for the lower upfront cost. But yeah, tracking repair costs is smart... sometimes it sneaks up on you.
I totally get being on the fence about shingles. I’ve managed a bunch of properties with both asphalt and metal roofs, and honestly, there’s no perfect answer. If you’re leaning toward asphalt, here’s how I usually break it down:
1. Check your climate. If you’re somewhere with wild temperature swings or big storms, architectural shingles hold up way better than the old-school 3-tabs. I had a building with 3-tabs that looked like a checkerboard after one bad windstorm—never again.
2. Think about noise. Metal roofs are awesome for durability, but yeah, they can sound like a drumline during heavy rain. Some folks love it, others not so much.
3. Budget matters. Asphalt’s easier on the wallet upfront, which is great if you’re not planning to stay forever or if you’ve got other projects on your plate (been there...).
4. Track repairs and warranties. Sometimes those “cheap” repairs add up faster than you’d think—especially if you get hit with hail or have trees nearby.
If I had to pick for a rental or short-term hold, I’d probably go architectural asphalt just for the balance of cost and durability. For my own place? Still debating...
My roof’s pushing 18 years, and I’ve been wrestling with the same question. I get the appeal of architectural asphalt—cheaper upfront, and you don’t have to hear every raindrop like with metal. But I’m honestly a little skeptical about the “set it and forget it” pitch for shingles. My neighbor replaced his with architectural shingles about five years ago, and he’s already had to patch up a few spots after some gnarly windstorms. Meanwhile, my cousin’s metal roof (yeah, pricier) has survived hail and crazy temperature swings without much fuss, though he gripes about the noise during storms.
What bugs me is the hidden costs—like, sure, asphalt is cheaper to install, but if you’re patching it every couple years, is it really a bargain? Plus, I keep hearing mixed things about warranties actually covering what you think they do. I’m leaning asphalt just because my budget’s tight, but I can’t shake the feeling I might regret it in the long run. Anyone else feel like the “cheap” option isn’t always so cheap once you factor in all the headaches?
