Installers matter—don’t skimp there.
That’s spot on. I’ve seen too many jobs where folks went with the cheapest crew and ended up with leaks or panels popping loose after a windstorm. Metal’s only as good as the install, especially with recycled material. Shingles are still popular because of cost, but in hail country, they just don’t hold up long-term. If you’re already dealing with multiple insurance claims, metal pays off over time—even if it stings upfront. Just make sure whoever installs it knows what they’re doing; shortcuts show up quick when the weather turns ugly.
Couldn’t agree more about the installer making or breaking it. My neighbor tried to save a buck and ended up with a roof that sounded like a drumline every time the wind picked up—turns out half the fasteners missed the rafters. I went metal a few years back after hail trashed my shingles twice in five years. Pricey, but I haven’t had to chase down a single shingle since. The upfront pain fades, but the peace of mind sticks around.
I get the appeal of metal, but shingles aren’t always a bad call—depends on your situation. If you’ve got a well-ventilated attic and you’re not in hail alley, a properly installed shingle roof can last 20+ years for half the price of metal. The trick is making sure every course is nailed right and flashing’s done tight. I’ve seen plenty of metal roofs leak from botched seams or poor underlayment too. It’s less about material, more about who’s swinging the hammer.
I’m with you on the “who’s swinging the hammer” part. I went with shingles last time because, honestly, my wallet wasn’t ready for metal. I’m in a pretty mild climate, so hail isn’t a big deal here. The crew did a solid job and it’s held up fine for 15 years—no leaks yet. I do still worry about wind storms though... lost a couple tabs once, which was annoying but cheap to fix. Metal sounds nice, but that price tag is rough if you’re on a budget.
Fifteen years with no leaks is nothing to sneeze at—sounds like you got your money’s worth. Shingles can definitely hold up if they’re installed right, especially in milder spots. Wind’s always a wildcard, though... I’ve seen even pricey metal get dinged up in a bad gust. If you’re happy with the performance so far, no shame sticking with what works for your budget.
