Funny how that works, right? People get all hyped about fancy shingles, but if your attic’s a wind tunnel, you might as well be living in a tent. I’ve seen folks drop cash on new shingles and still complain about cold toes... insulation’s the real MVP sometimes.
People get all hyped about fancy shingles, but if your attic’s a wind tunnel, you might as well be living in a tent.
That’s spot on. I learned the hard way—spent a chunk on architectural shingles, but the upstairs was still freezing every winter. Ended up adding blown-in insulation the next year and honestly, that made a bigger difference than the new roof. Curious if anyone’s tackled attic ventilation at the same time as re-roofing? I’ve heard that can be just as critical as insulation, especially in older homes.
Nailed it about the attic—fancy shingles don’t mean much if your insulation and airflow are off. When I redid my roof (old 1950s Cape in upstate NY), I figured new shingles would solve my ice dam issues. Nope. Still had cold drafts and crazy heat loss. What actually helped was adding baffles between the rafters, then topping up the insulation.
Ventilation’s a big deal, especially in older houses where the attic can get stuffy or even moldy. When I had the roofers out, I asked them to add a ridge vent and a couple of soffit vents. Not hard for them to do while the shingles are off, and it made a noticeable difference—house stays cooler in summer and the upstairs isn’t drafty in winter.
If you’re already tearing off the roof, it’s worth checking if you’ve got enough venting up there. Sometimes people just focus on the look or brand of shingle, but honestly, the “boring” stuff like airflow and insulation is what keeps the house comfortable. Shingles are just the outer shell.
Sometimes people just focus on the look or brand of shingle, but honestly, the “boring” stuff like airflow and insulation is what keeps the house comfortable.
Totally agree—shingles are like the roof’s jacket, but if you’re freezing underneath, what’s the point? Ever notice how some houses get those weird icicles even with new roofs? Usually a sign the attic’s not breathing right. Did you have to mess with your soffits much, or were they already open? I’ve seen folks accidentally block theirs with insulation and then wonder why their attic feels like a sauna in July.
You’re spot on about the soffit vents—people underestimate how easy it is to mess up attic airflow. I’ve seen plenty of cases where someone upgrades their insulation, but ends up shoving it right up against the eaves and blocking the vents. Then you get those monster icicles in winter and a stifling attic in summer, even with a brand new roof.
When I redid my own place, I had to pull back a bunch of insulation and add baffles just to keep the airflow moving. Not exactly glamorous work, but it made a huge difference. Shingles matter for curb appeal and protection, sure, but if the attic can’t breathe, you’ll still end up with problems like mold or premature shingle failure.
I’d say, if you’re replacing the roof, it’s a good time to check the soffits and make sure nothing’s blocking them. It’s one of those “set it and forget it” things that pays off in the long run.
