That’s exactly what I’ve seen too—doesn’t matter how fancy the material is if the crew rushes or cuts corners. My uncle had a metal roof put on his place last year, and he swears the only reason it’s holding up is because the installers actually cared about flashing and seams, not just slapping panels down. Meanwhile, my neighbor went with a bargain crew for asphalt shingles and already has leaks around the vents.
I get why people go for patch jobs when insurance only covers so much, but man, it feels like you’re just waiting for the next storm to finish what the last one started. Curious if anyone here’s had luck getting insurance to pay for a full tear-off after hail? Or is it always a fight? I’ve heard some folks have better luck if they document every little thing right after the storm, but I haven’t tried that myself.
Also, does anyone actually prefer synthetic underlayment over felt? I keep hearing mixed things—some say it’s worth every penny, others think it’s just hype.
Insurance is always a headache after hail, at least in my experience. I’ve managed a few claims for full tear-offs, but it’s never straightforward. The only times I’ve seen it go smoothly were when the owner had a ton of photos—before and after the storm, close-ups of every dent and crack. Even then, adjusters will push for “spot repairs” unless you can show widespread damage. If you’re in a hail-prone area, documenting everything right after a storm is worth the hassle. It’s not a guarantee, but it gives you leverage.
On underlayment, I lean toward synthetic these days. It’s lighter, goes down faster, and seems to hold up better if the roof gets exposed for a few days. That said, I’ve seen some cheap synthetics tear just as easily as felt, so it depends on the brand. For basic jobs or tight budgets, felt still does the trick. But if you’re already spending for a decent roof, the upgrade isn’t just hype—at least not in my book.
Metal roofs and hail are a tricky combo. I’ve seen panels that looked fine from the ground, but once you’re up there, it’s like a golf ball massacre—dings everywhere. Insurance folks love to say “cosmetic only,” but I’ve had a few jobs where those dents eventually led to coating failures and rust. Photos help, but sometimes it’s about getting the right adjuster on site. As for underlayment, I’m with you—synthetic’s faster, but I’ve had a couple brands that felt like plastic wrap in the wind. If you’re in hail alley, paying up for the good stuff is worth it.
I get where you’re coming from about the “cosmetic only” label—insurance adjusters can be a real mixed bag. But I’ve actually had a different experience with metal panels and hail, at least in terms of long-term performance. On a couple of my properties, we had some pretty gnarly hailstorms (central Texas, so it’s almost a spring tradition), and while the panels looked like they’d been through a batting cage, the actual function didn’t seem compromised even years later. No leaks, no rust, and the coating held up. Maybe it comes down to the gauge or the finish? I’m curious if you’ve noticed certain brands or thicknesses failing more than others.
About the underlayment—totally agree that some synthetics are just glorified plastic bags. But I’ve also had issues with felt in humid climates. It can get wavy or even moldy if there’s any delay in getting the panels on. Have you tried any of those hybrid underlayments? I used one from Sharkskin last year—pricey, but it stayed put during a windstorm when we had to pause the install for a week. Not sure if it’s overkill, but it gave me some peace of mind.
One thing I’m still not sure about: how much do those hail dents really affect resale value? I’ve had buyers walk away from a house because of the look, even though structurally it was fine. Is it just perception, or do appraisers actually ding you for cosmetic damage on metal roofs? Would love to hear if anyone’s run into that on an inspection or sale.
I get what you’re saying about the panels holding up structurally, but I’ve actually seen a few cases where hail dents did more than just mess with the look. On my neighbor’s place (north of Dallas), the dents were deep enough that water started pooling in the low spots, and after a couple years, there was some minor rusting right at those points. Granted, it was a thinner gauge panel—maybe 29?—so maybe that’s part of it. I’m starting to think the finish and thickness really do matter more than people realize.
On resale value, I’ve had mixed luck. One buyer didn’t care at all, but another used the dents as leverage to knock $8k off the price. The appraiser didn’t mention it in their report, but the buyers’ inspector flagged it as “potential future concern.” Sometimes it feels like it’s just down to who’s looking at your roof that day.
About underlayments—totally agree on felt being a pain in humidity. I tried Titanium UDL once and it held up better than felt but wasn’t as grippy as Sharkskin. Still not sure if the extra cost is worth it unless you’re expecting delays or crazy weather during install.