Still, I’ll admit, not having to worry every time it storms is worth something. But yeah, that upfront cost stings.
That’s exactly where I landed. I went with asphalt a few years back because my wallet just couldn’t handle the composite price tag. Every time we get those crazy spring winds, I’m out there checking for loose shingles. My neighbor did composite and he sleeps like a baby, but man, his install bill was almost double mine. Sometimes I wonder if the peace of mind is worth the hit to the savings account... but for now, I’m just hoping my patch jobs hold up.
I see this all the time—folks go with asphalt because it’s cheaper upfront, but then they’re patching and worrying every storm season. I’ve inspected plenty of roofs where those “quick fixes” just don’t hold up after a few years, especially if you get a lot of wind or hail. Composite’s a tough pill to swallow cost-wise, but honestly, I’ve seen fewer headaches down the road. Still, I get it... not everyone’s got the budget for that kind of peace of mind. Just wish asphalt held up better in rough weather.
I hear you on the asphalt headaches. We put a new asphalt roof on our place about 8 years ago, mostly because the price was right and we were already stretched from other renos. Looked great at first, but after two rough winters and a couple of hailstorms, I was up there with a tube of tar patching spots I never expected. Honestly, I’m not thrilled about doing that every spring.
A neighbor went with composite last year—yeah, it cost them a chunk more, but I’ve watched their roof shrug off wind that sent my shingles flying. The only thing that’s kept me from switching is the upfront cost. If I could do it over, I’d probably save up a bit longer and go composite. That said, if you’re stuck with asphalt like me, keeping gutters clear and trimming back branches helps a little. Still, I wish asphalt was tougher in our climate... just feels like a losing battle some years.
- Upfront cost is what kept us with asphalt too. It’s hard to justify double the price when you’re juggling other repairs.
- Maintenance is definitely more work—patching, checking for loose shingles, cleaning up after every storm. Not my favorite weekend activity.
- Composite seems sturdier, but I’ve heard some brands fade or get brittle over time. Anyone else notice that?
- For now, I just budget a little each year for repairs. Not ideal, but it keeps things manageable.
- If I had to do it again, I’d probably wait and go composite, but only if the warranty is solid and the color holds up.
Had the same debate last year—ended up with asphalt because my wallet just couldn’t handle the composite quotes. I do worry about all the patching, though. I’m in a windy spot and those shingles just love to go flying. Composite looks tempting, but I’d want to see how it holds up in real weather, not just on paper.
