Shingles can be worth it, but only if the crew actually cares about the details... otherwise, you’re just rolling the dice.
That’s really the heart of it. I’ve seen “30-year” shingles curling and leaking after three years, but when you dig in, it’s always something like high nails or skipped starter strips. Makes you wonder—how many folks actually check their roof after install? Most people just trust it’s done right.
Curious if anyone here actually watched their crew work or checked the nailing pattern after? I know most homeowners don’t want to get up there, but even a quick look from the ground can tell you a lot. Also, did anyone get a wind warranty in writing? Some manufacturers won’t honor it if the install’s not spot-on.
And about that granule loss—yeah, a little is normal at first, but if your gutters are full of them after a month, that’s not good. Anyone have luck getting a manufacturer to cover early granule loss, or do they always blame “installation error”?
Nailed it—most shingle failures I see are from shortcuts, not the product itself. High nails, missed nails, or even just rushing the starter course... it all adds up. I’ve been on jobs where the homeowner never even looked at the roof until there was a leak, and by then, good luck getting the installer back out.
I always tell people to at least walk around the house during install. You don’t need to climb up, but you can spot crooked courses or missing ridge caps from the ground. As for wind warranties, those are tricky—manufacturers will absolutely deny claims if the nailing pattern’s off or if they spot any “improper installation.” I’ve seen it happen more than once.
Granule loss is another one. Some is normal, but if you’re scooping handfuls out of your gutters after a few weeks, that’s a red flag. In my experience, manufacturers almost always blame install or “environmental factors” unless you can prove it’s a batch defect—which is rare.
Bottom line: even the best shingle won’t last if it’s slapped on wrong. Worth double-checking everything before you pay that final bill.
I’m nodding along here—my last roof replacement was a real eye-opener. I figured shingles were “set it and forget it,” but I ended up catching a couple of issues just by walking around outside during install. One row looked off, and when I mentioned it, the crew actually fixed it on the spot. Maybe I just got lucky, but it made me realize how easy it is for stuff to slip by if you don’t check.
Has anyone else noticed how much the install crew can vary? My neighbor had a different company, and you could actually see the nails poking through in a few spots from the ground. They had a leak within the first year. It’s wild how much hinges on the people doing the work, not just the shingles themselves.
I do wonder if metal would’ve been less hassle in the long run, but the price tag scared me off. For now, I’m just hoping my shingles outlast the warranty... and I’m definitely keeping an eye on those gutters for granules.
- Had the same worry about metal—price was just too much for me, even though it sounds great on paper.
- Shingle install is all about the crew. My last guys rushed and I found a couple of crooked rows after they left... not fun.
- Warranty is nice, but I’ve heard some companies make it tough to actually use. I’m just hoping mine holds up through the next storm season.
- I check my gutters for granules too—seems like the only way to spot early problems without climbing up there.
Yeah, the crew really does make or break a shingle job. I’ve seen some pretty rough installs where the rows aren’t straight or nails are overdriven—stuff that’ll come back to bite you in a couple years. Granules in the gutters are a good early warning, but if you start seeing a lot after just a season or two, that’s usually not a great sign. Warranties can be tricky—some manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance or they’ll deny claims. If you’re worried about storms, it’s worth asking about impact-rated shingles. Costs a bit more up front, but they hold up better in hail and wind from what I’ve seen.
