Haha, totally get the color agony—been there, done that. Honestly though, neighbors barely notice unless you pick neon pink or something. But seriously, don't skimp on quality shingles. I've managed properties through some nasty storms, and trust me, the cheaper stuff always comes back to haunt you later. Spend a bit more now, save yourself headaches (and wallet-aches) down the road...
- Totally agree on investing upfront—seen way too many roofs fail early from cutting corners.
- CertainTeed's a solid choice, good balance of cost vs durability. Just make sure your installer knows their stuff... installation mistakes cause more headaches than shingle quality sometimes.
- As for color, honestly, pick what you like. Neighbors adjust surprisingly fast. My own roof's a weird shade of brown I wasn't sure about at first, but now I barely notice it.
- And don't stress too much on budgeting exactly down to the penny. Allow yourself a small cushion for unexpected stuff like flashing or decking repairs—almost always pops up.
- You're on the right track though, thinking long-term like this pays off big time. Good luck with the project!
- Good points above, especially about installer quality—seen some nightmare installs even with premium shingles.
- One thing I'd add: ventilation. Proper attic ventilation can really extend shingle life and prevent issues like ice dams or premature aging.
- Curious if you're planning to upgrade your venting setup or sticking with what's already there? I've debated ridge vents vs traditional box vents myself... still not totally sold either way.
"I've debated ridge vents vs traditional box vents myself... still not totally sold either way."
Yeah, it's funny you mention that—I worked on a job recently where the homeowner switched from box vents to ridge vents halfway through. Honestly, the attic felt noticeably cooler afterward, but the difference wasn't night and day. Still, ridge vents do look cleaner, IMO.
We went with ridge vents last year when we redid our roof. Honestly, I was kinda skeptical at first, mostly because of cost concerns—but it turned out to be pretty reasonable. Can't say I've noticed a huge difference in attic temps either, but the roofline definitely looks cleaner without those box vents sticking out everywhere. If you're on a tight budget, maybe price out both options? Sometimes the difference isn't as big as you'd think...
