- Totally get where you’re coming from about patchy shingles. Had the same thing happen—tried to match some 3-tabs after a hailstorm, but even with “same color” they looked weird next to the old ones. Now my roof looks like a checkerboard.
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“Now my roof looks patchy and I’m still worried about leaks.”
Yeah, that’s my worry too. Even if you patch it up, there’s always that nagging feeling you missed something and water’s going to sneak in somewhere.
- Metal sounds great in theory (no more shingle blow-offs, lasts forever), but when I got quotes last spring it was literally double what asphalt would’ve cost. Just couldn’t swing it with everything else going up price-wise.
- One thing I did do: went with the synthetic underlayment on the shed as a test run. It was pricier than felt, but way easier to install, and it actually held up through a nasty ice dam last winter—no leaks inside the shed at all. Not sure if that means much for a full house though.
- My neighbor swears by metal, but he also had to pay extra for snow guards and special flashing because of our roof pitch (steep). He loves it now, but said installation was a pain and noisy.
- For me, shingles are just...cheaper up front. But yeah, after two or three bad winters here in northern WI, they start curling and looking rough. Insurance covered some of my last repair, but only because it was storm-related.
- If I had the cash, I’d probably go metal just for peace of mind (and no more shingle matching headaches). But for now I’m stuck patching asphalt every couple years and hoping for mild winters.
- Still not sure if synthetic underlayment is worth the extra $$ for a whole roof—might be one of those “pay now or pay later” deals? Hard to know until something fails...
Anyway, following along because I’m in the same boat—don’t want another mid-winter leak surprise either.
I hear you on the patchwork shingle look—matching old and new is almost impossible, especially after a few years of sun and weather. I’ve managed a few properties with that “checkerboard” effect and it always bugs me, but the budget just doesn’t stretch to full replacement every time. Metal’s tempting for longevity, but yeah, those upfront costs are no joke. I’ve seen synthetic underlayment hold up better than felt in our climate, especially with ice dams, but it’s still tough to justify the extra cost unless you’re already doing a full tear-off. At the end of the day, I’m still patching asphalt and crossing my fingers every spring...
That checkerboard look drives me nuts too, but I get why folks do it—roofs aren’t cheap. Honestly, I see a lot of people patching year after year, and sometimes it just ends up costing more in the long run. If you’re already dealing with leaks or ice dam issues, synthetic underlayment is worth considering, even if it stings a bit upfront. The peace of mind when spring hits is hard to put a price on. Still, I can’t blame anyone for sticking with asphalt and hoping for the best... budgets are real.
I totally get the frustration with patchwork roofs—mine looked like a chessboard after a couple of years of quick fixes. When I finally bit the bullet and replaced the whole thing, I went with architectural shingles and synthetic underlayment. It was a bigger upfront hit than I wanted, but honestly, not having to worry every time it rains or snows has been worth it. That said, if my budget had been tighter, I probably would've kept patching too... roofs just aren't cheap, no matter how you slice it.
I went through the same debate a few years back—kept patching spots after every storm, but it just got old fast. When I finally replaced the whole thing, I did a lot of research on shingle types. Architectural shingles are pricier than basic 3-tabs, but they really do hold up better in wind and heavy rain. The synthetic underlayment is a game changer too—less prone to tearing and moisture issues compared to felt. Upfront cost stings, but factoring in fewer repairs and less stress during bad weather, it’s been worth it for me. That said, if you’re in a milder climate or planning to move soon, patching might still make sense... roofs are never a one-size-fits-all deal.
