- Seen plenty of “lifetime” roofs get swapped out at 18-22 years around here. Moss is relentless—shade just makes it worse.
- Tried every “miracle” moss solution, still end up up there with a broom twice a year.
- Warranties? Only good if you’ve got a lawyer on speed dial, honestly.
- Composite holds up better than asphalt in our storms, but you’re right, nothing’s truly forever... especially not in this climate.
Warranties? Only good if you’ve got a lawyer on speed dial, honestly.
That’s the bit that really gets me. When I bought my place last year, the “lifetime” shingle warranty sounded like a safety net, but after reading the fine print, it’s basically a list of exclusions longer than the actual coverage. Unless you’re into paperwork and chasing people down, I’m not sure it’s worth much peace of mind.
I keep hearing about composite being tougher, especially in storms, but I’m not totally convinced it’s that big of a jump from asphalt. I mean, maybe it handles hail or wind a little better, but if moss and shade are still going to wreck it in under 20 years, is it really worth the extra cost? My neighbor just replaced his roof—went with composite—and he’s still up there scraping moss every spring. The only difference seems to be his roof was a few grand more expensive.
Has anyone actually seen composite last longer around here (PNW, lots of trees and rain)? Or is it just marketing? I get that nothing’s forever in this climate, but I’d rather not pay extra for something that’ll still need replacing before I’m done paying off the mortgage.
I guess my other question is: has anyone tried metal? I know it’s pricier up front, but if you’re already looking at replacing a “lifetime” roof after 20 years, maybe it evens out? Or is moss just as much of a pain with metal too?
I’m just not sold on the idea that composite is some magic bullet. Maybe I’m missing something though...
You’re not wrong about those warranties—my “lifetime” shingles lasted about 12 years before they started curling like potato chips. Composite does shrug off hail a bit better, but moss is still the neighborhood villain here in the PNW. Metal’s slicker, so moss doesn’t grip as easily, but it’s not totally immune... plus, rain on metal sounds like you’re living inside a snare drum. Honestly, every roof here ends up needing some TLC.
Man, “lifetime” warranties are like unicorns—nice in theory, but good luck spotting one in the wild. I hear you on the moss, too. Around here, it’s like a green beard for every roof. If you ever figure out a way to keep it off for good, you’ll be a legend. Until then, I guess we just keep scraping and hoping those shingles hang on a little longer...
“lifetime” warranties are like unicorns—nice in theory, but good luck spotting one in the wild.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen “lifetime” shingles curling up after 12 years, especially where moss is relentless. Composite holds up a bit better in my experience, but nothing’s truly maintenance-free. Moss loves shade and moisture—unless you’re trimming trees and keeping gutters clear, it’s a losing battle.
