Nailed it—most shingle problems I see come down to shortcuts during install or bad attic airflow. Folks blame the shingles, but even the pricier ones will fail if the basics aren’t right. Midwest weather’s brutal, but a good crew and proper prep go a long way. I’ve torn off “10-year” roofs that barely made it five... usually because someone rushed or skipped steps. Material matters, but not as much as the hands putting it on.
I’ve torn off “10-year” roofs that barely made it five... usually because someone rushed or skipped steps.
Not sure I totally buy that it’s *mostly* install issues. I get “Material matters, but not as much as the hands putting it on,” but I’ve seen some shingle brands just not hold up—even with good prep and install. Midwest hail just chews up certain shingles, no matter how careful you are.
- Had a well-installed roof with “top-rated” shingles—still got granule loss and curling after 7 years.
- Installer blamed the product, manufacturer blamed the installer... classic runaround.
- Some of these newer “lifetime” shingles seem thinner than older ones my neighbor has (his are 20+ yrs, still look fine).
Not saying install doesn’t matter, just think material quality gets glossed over sometimes.
Yeah, I totally get what you’re saying. I’ve been burned by “premium” shingles that barely made it past year eight—no leaks, but the granules just disappeared and they looked rough. Installer did everything right (I watched them like a hawk), but Midwest storms are brutal. Older roofs in my neighborhood with heavier shingles seem to last way longer. I’m starting to think some of these newer “lifetime” products are more marketing than substance, honestly. Material quality matters a lot, especially if you’re on a tight budget and hoping not to do this again for a long time.
I hear you on the “lifetime” shingle claims—feels like they’re banking on most folks not sticking around long enough to call them out. I’m in the same boat, trying to stretch every dollar, and honestly, it’s tough to know what’s actually going to last. My neighbor’s house still has the old three-tab shingles from the 90s and they look better than some of the newer roofs around here. Makes you wonder if heavier really does mean better, or if it’s just luck with batches these days.
Have you looked into any alternatives? I keep hearing about metal roofs being a one-and-done thing, but the upfront cost is wild. Then again, replacing shingles every 10 years isn’t cheap either. I’m also curious if anyone’s had luck with those “impact-resistant” shingles—are they actually worth the extra money, or just another marketing gimmick?
It’s frustrating when you do everything right and still end up disappointed. At least you caught it before leaks started... that’s something. Maybe there’s no perfect answer, but I’d rather be skeptical than get burned twice.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I went through the same mental gymnastics last year—reading warranties, comparing costs, second-guessing every option. It’s wild how those “lifetime” shingles sometimes don’t even outlast the old-school ones. I actually looked into impact-resistant ones, but the price jump didn’t make sense for my area (not much hail here). Metal was tempting, but like you said, that upfront sticker shock is real. At least you’re catching it before things get worse—sometimes just being a little skeptical saves you a ton of grief down the line.
