On the house, I stuck with architectural shingles for the same reasons you mentioned—easier to patch, and I don’t have to worry about installing snow guards or dealing with big repair bills if something goes wrong.
I’m in the same boat—went with shingles because I just couldn’t justify the extra cost of metal, especially after seeing how much snow we get. Have you noticed any issues with shingle granules clogging your gutters? That’s been my main headache, but at least repairs are cheap. Sometimes I wonder if the longer lifespan of metal is worth it, but then I remember how much I hate dealing with ice dams...
Have you noticed any issues with shingle granules clogging your gutters? That’s been my main headache, but at least repairs are cheap.
Granule loss is pretty common, especially in the first year or two after install. It’s annoying, but honestly, I’d rather clean out some extra grit than deal with the noise of hail pinging off a metal roof all night. Ice dams are a pain either way, but with shingles you can at least patch up damage without breaking the bank. Metal does last longer, but it’s not always the magic bullet folks think—especially with our freeze/thaw cycles.
Yeah, those granules are like glitter—once they’re in the gutters, you’ll be finding them forever. I get what you mean about the noise with metal roofs, though. My neighbor’s sounds like a drumline every time it rains. I’m curious, has anyone here actually had to replace shingles after a bad ice dam? I patched a few spots last winter, but I’m wondering if I should just bite the bullet and redo the whole thing before it gets worse.
Ice dams are such a pain. I’ve seen a few roofs where patching after a bad winter just turned into a yearly thing—never seems to fully fix the problem. Did you notice if the wood underneath was soft or anything when you patched? Sometimes you can get away with just replacing the worst shingles, but if you’ve got curling or granules missing all over, it might be time to look at a full tear-off.
I always wonder if it’s worth putting money into more patches, especially if the roof’s already at that 15-20 year mark. Also, with ice dams, isn’t it usually a sign of ventilation or insulation issues? If you just redo the shingles but don’t fix what caused the ice dam, won’t the same thing happen again next winter?
Honestly, I’m not totally sold on shingles in snowy climates. They’re cheaper up front, but between the granule loss and constant repairs, I get why people look at metal—even with the noise. Then again, metal’s not exactly cheap, and not everyone likes the look. Just feels like there’s no perfect answer.
I’ve managed a few properties in the Midwest, and every winter it’s the same story with ice dams. Had one place where we kept patching shingles for three years straight—never really solved anything until we finally addressed the attic insulation and ventilation. The decking was starting to get spongy in spots by then, which made me realize patching was just a band-aid. I’m with you on shingles being kind of a gamble in snowy areas. Metal’s pricey, but after seeing the ongoing maintenance costs with asphalt, I’m starting to think it might pay off long-term... even if it’s not everyone’s style.
