Just got done replacing my old shingles with one of those synthetic polymer roofs, and honestly, I'm pretty impressed. Wasn't sure at first if it'd hold up to the hype, but after a couple storms and some nasty weather, it's looking brand new still. Plus, it was way easier to install than I expected (my brother-in-law helped, he's handy but no pro roofer). Curious if anyone else has tried these synthetic roofs and had good luck too?
"Plus, it was way easier to install than I expected (my brother-in-law helped, he's handy but no pro roofer)."
Haha, sounds like your brother-in-law and mine went to the same DIY school—handy enough to help, brave enough to try, but definitely not quitting their day jobs anytime soon. Glad to hear the synthetic stuff held up well for you. I've seen a few of these roofs after some pretty nasty hailstorms, and honestly, they usually fare better than traditional shingles. Seems like you made a solid choice there...
Haha, sounds familiar—my brother-in-law once helped me put up a fence, and let's just say it's standing...mostly straight. Anyway, glad the synthetic roofing worked out. From what I've seen, they're pretty forgiving during install, even if you're not a pro. One tip though: make sure you check the flashing around vents or chimneys carefully. That's usually where DIY installs slip up, and water always finds a way in eventually. Learned that one the hard way myself...
"make sure you check the flashing around vents or chimneys carefully. That's usually where DIY installs slip up"
Couldn't agree more—flashing is definitely the sneaky culprit. Another spot to watch closely is the drip edge along the eaves. I've seen a few DIY jobs where folks skipped sealing or overlapped incorrectly, and water just wicked right back under. Synthetic roofing is forgiving, sure, but those little details can bite you later...ask me how I know, haha.
I've seen a few DIY jobs where folks skipped sealing or overlapped incorrectly, and water just wicked right back under.
Good points on flashing and drip edges—those are definitely common trouble spots. A few more things I've noticed inspecting synthetic roofs:
- Synthetic shingles usually hold up great, but I've seen a couple cases where improper nailing caused lifting or curling edges. Seems minor at first, but wind-driven rain can sneak in surprisingly easy.
- Ventilation is another sneaky issue. People sometimes assume synthetic materials don't need as much airflow underneath, but poor attic ventilation can still cause moisture buildup and shorten the roof's lifespan.
- Also worth checking the manufacturer's specs closely—some synthetic products have specific install requirements (like spacing or overlap guidelines) that differ from traditional shingles. Easy to overlook if you're used to standard asphalt installs.
- On the plus side, synthetic roofs seem way less prone to moss or algae growth compared to asphalt shingles. I've inspected roofs in shaded, damp areas that stayed clean for years without any chemical treatments.
- One homeowner I spoke with mentioned their synthetic roof was noticeably quieter during heavy rainstorms compared to metal roofing they'd had before. Not sure if that's typical or just their experience, but interesting nonetheless.
Overall, synthetic roofing seems solid from what I've seen so far. Just gotta watch those details like flashing, drip edges, and proper fastening...the usual suspects.
