I hear you on the patching—my neighbor’s roof looked fine until one summer, then half the shingles curled up after a week of 100-degree days. He’s always up there with a caulk gun now. I went metal a few years back, and yeah, the screws are weird, but I haven’t touched it since. The upfront cost stung, but not having to worry about every storm has been worth it for me. Shingles just seem to age faster when the weather can’t make up its mind.
That’s pretty much what I’ve seen too—shingles just don’t hold up when temps swing like crazy. I’ve noticed the granules wear off faster in those conditions, and once they start curling, water gets in quick. Metal’s a bigger investment, but less patching and fewer headaches. The only thing is, you gotta keep an eye on those screws every few years... but still way less hassle than chasing leaks after every storm.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called out to patch up shingle roofs after a wild temp swing. Had a job last winter—customer had those basic asphalt shingles, and after a few freeze-thaw cycles, the edges started curling up like potato chips. Once that happens, water finds its way in, and you’re chasing leaks all over the place.
Metal’s definitely less fuss in the long run, but yeah, those screws can work themselves loose over time. What I usually recommend is a quick walk-around every couple years—just check for any screws backing out or missing washers. Takes maybe an hour on an average roof. Compare that to patching up torn shingles after every windstorm... it’s a no-brainer for some folks.
That said, shingles aren’t always a disaster. If you’ve got a shaded roof and mild weather, they can last a good while. But in spots where temps bounce all over, or you get big storms, metal’s just less hassle. Costs more upfront, but you save on repairs and headaches down the road.
I hear you on the shingle headaches. I went with asphalt a few years back because, well, my wallet basically made the decision for me. They looked good at first, but after a couple of wild Midwest winters, I’m patching spots way more than I’d like. That said, metal was just too much upfront for us, and I figured if we move in 10 years, shingles would get us by. If you’re planning to stay put long-term and can swing the cost, metal seems like less hassle overall... but yeah, those screws backing out is a thing my neighbor gripes about too. No roof’s perfect, I guess!
If you’re planning to stay put long-term and can swing the cost, metal seems like less hassle overall... but yeah, those screws backing out is a thing my neighbor gripes about too. No roof’s perfect, I guess!
I get where you’re coming from on the metal vs. shingle debate, but I’d challenge the idea that metal is always “less hassle.” In my experience, the screw issue isn’t just about them backing out—it’s also about the gaskets wearing over time, which can sneak up on you if you’re not checking every few years. Midwest winters especially can be rough on those fasteners with all the expansion and contraction.
On the flip side, I’ve seen architectural shingles (the thicker ones, not the basic 3-tab) hold up surprisingly well when installed right and with proper attic ventilation. The key is making sure there’s enough airflow under the roof deck and using ice & water shield in the right spots. Sometimes folks skimp on those details to save money upfront, but it comes back to bite later.
Not saying shingles are perfect—hail and wind can still mess them up—but if you’re only planning to stick around for another decade or so, a well-installed shingle roof isn’t always a bad compromise. Just don’t go for the cheapest materials or skip steps on install. That’s usually where things go sideways, in my experience.