"Sometimes it's worth spending a bit more upfront to avoid headaches down the road... at least that's been my experience!"
Yeah, I get where you're coming from. I've seen plenty of roofs fail prematurely because folks skimped on materials. Still, I've also replaced some pretty expensive shingles that didn't last due to poor ventilation underneath. You're right though—if you can afford both solid ventilation and quality shingles, that's the sweet spot. Good luck with your project, sounds like you're on the right track.
"Still, I've also replaced some pretty expensive shingles that didn't last due to poor ventilation underneath."
That's a great point about ventilation. A lot of people overlook attic airflow when budgeting for a roof. Have you checked if your soffit vents are clear and working properly? I found out the hard way—spent extra on premium shingles but neglected the attic ventilation. Ended up with moisture buildup and some mold issues within just a few years... not fun.
Also, are you planning on installing ridge vents or just sticking with box vents? Ridge vents can be pricier upfront, but they usually do a better job at evenly distributing airflow. Something else to consider: if you're in an area prone to ice dams, investing in quality underlayment like ice-and-water shield can save you headaches later.
Anyway, sounds like you're already thinking things through carefully. Hope it all goes smoothly for you.
Good points on the ridge vents, but honestly box vents can work fine if they're spaced right and you have enough of them. Seen plenty of roofs with ridge vents where the installer didn't cut the opening wide enough, so airflow was pretty weak. Definitely double-check your soffits first—no vent type will fix blocked soffits. And yeah, ice-and-water shield is worth every penny...especially if you've ever had to deal with ice dams.
I've had decent luck with box vents too, but honestly, the ice-and-water shield saved me more headaches than vent choices ever did. Curious though...has anyone tried combining ridge and box vents, or is that just asking for trouble?
Mixing ridge and box vents usually isn't ideal...you risk creating uneven airflow or short-circuiting the ventilation. Ridge vents work best when paired with soffit vents for balanced airflow. Box vents alone can be fine, but combining them might actually reduce efficiency. Honestly, you're spot-on about the ice-and-water shield—seen it save roofs countless times after storms. I'd stick with one vent type and invest more in protective underlayment.
