Fifteen years is decent, but I’d be careful assuming you’ll get the same run next time. Shingles have come a long way, but I’ve seen batches lately that just don’t hold up like the old ones—especially with all the weird weather swings we’re getting now. If you’re in a spot with big temp changes or lots of wind, sometimes it’s worth looking at alternatives, even if they cost more upfront. Had a client swap to metal after two shingle replacements in 20 years—cost more, but no headaches since. Just something to weigh before you commit.
I’ve managed a few buildings where we stuck with shingles because the upfront cost was way easier to swallow, but after three hailstorms in five years, I’m not sure it was worth it. Curious—has anyone here tried those newer composite or rubber roofs? Supposedly they handle wild weather better, but I haven’t seen them in action yet.
Had a job last summer where the homeowner went with a rubber roof after getting fed up with shingle repairs. It was one of those older ranch houses, low pitch, and they’d had three insurance claims in a decade from hail and wind. I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first—rubber just sounded weird for a roof. But after we finished, the stuff felt solid. Heavy, but not as tricky to install as I expected.
A couple months later, a pretty nasty hailstorm rolled through. The shingles on the neighbor’s place looked like someone took a baseball bat to them, but the rubber roof barely showed a mark. The owner called us back just to show off how well it held up. Only thing is, the upfront cost was definitely higher than asphalt. Still, if you’re in a spot that gets hammered by weather, it might be worth looking into. Maintenance seems easier too—no granules clogging up the gutters every year.
I get why folks stick with shingles, though. They’re cheap and easy to replace. But after seeing that rubber roof in action, I’m starting to think the long-term math might work out better for some people.
Funny thing, I used to be all about shingles—just what everyone did around here. But after patching up the same spots every couple years, I started paying attention to alternatives. Had a customer with a flat roof who went rubber three years back, and honestly, it’s held up better than I thought it would. The price tag scared him at first, but he hasn’t called me for a single leak since. Curious if anyone’s had luck with metal on low-pitch roofs? I’ve seen mixed results depending on how bad the wind gets.
Metal on low-pitch roofs is a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. If the seams aren’t done right or you cheap out on the underlayment, wind-driven rain can sneak in—seen it more than once. But when it’s installed properly, with the right fasteners and flashing, it can last decades. I get why folks are wary of the upfront cost, but patching shingles every couple years adds up too. Rubber’s solid for flat roofs, but metal can work if you’re careful about the details. Just don’t rush the install... that’s where most problems start.
