You’re not wrong—shingles look cheap up front, but in stormy areas, those repair bills sneak up. I’ve replaced a lot of “affordable” roofs that didn’t last a decade. Metal’s noisy, sure, but it shrugs off hail and wind way better. Sometimes the extra upfront cost just makes sense, especially if you’re not into constant patchwork.
I hear you on the “affordable” shingles. They’re easy on the wallet at first, but in places with wild weather, you end up chasing leaks every couple years. I’ve seen folks go through three sets of shingles before their neighbor’s metal roof needed a single patch. Metal’s a bit louder in the rain, sure, but it’s tough as nails. If you’re planning to stick around, it usually pays off in the long run. That said, if you’re not in a storm zone or you’re flipping the house soon, shingles can still make sense. Just depends on your plans and patience for repairs.
Had the same debate a few years back. My old asphalt shingles looked fine until a hailstorm hit—then it was patch after patch. Ended up switching to metal. It was pricier upfront, but I haven’t touched it since. If you’re in a spot with wild weather, I’d lean metal, but if you’re just looking for a quick fix or planning to move soon, shingles might still do the trick. Just be ready for more upkeep.
Just be ready for more upkeep.
That lines up with what I’ve seen—after a bad windstorm last spring, I was up there replacing shingles for the third time in five years. Metal’s tempting, but I wonder if anyone’s had issues with noise during heavy rain?
Metal’s tempting, but I wonder if anyone’s had issues with noise during heavy rain?
Had a client swap to metal last year—he joked he could finally tell when it rained at night. Honestly, most folks notice the sound at first, but with decent insulation, it’s not like living in a drum. Personally, I’d take a little extra noise over climbing up to replace shingles every other season... knees aren’t what they used to be.