"just make sure you get a reputable installer who knows what they're doing."
Definitely agree—installation quality makes or breaks even the best roofing products. Curious if anyone's noticed significant performance differences between architectural shingles brands? I've seen mixed results during inspections...
Yeah, I've noticed the same thing. Did an inspection last summer after a pretty nasty hailstorm—two houses side by side, both with architectural shingles installed within a year of each other. One brand held up pretty well, just minor granule loss; the other looked like someone had gone at it with a golf club. Makes you wonder if some brands cut corners on materials or something... Installation matters, but there's definitely more to it than that.
Had a similar experience a couple years back. We had a storm roll through that was basically Mother Nature throwing a tantrum—hail, wind, the whole nine yards. My neighbor across the street had just splurged on some fancy shingles (you know, the kind that make your wallet cry), and I was rocking the budget-friendly special from the local hardware store. Afterward, his roof looked like Swiss cheese, and mine was... surprisingly okay? Lost some granules, sure, but nothing catastrophic.
Makes me think it's less about price tags and more about brand reputation and actual material quality. Some brands probably do cut corners, hoping no one notices until it's too late. I'm all for saving cash, but roofing might be one place where doing a little homework pays off. Or maybe I just got lucky and my roof has nine lives—who knows?
"Makes me think it's less about price tags and more about brand reputation and actual material quality."
Totally agree with this. When I bought my first home, I spent weeks researching roofing materials because we get some pretty intense storms here too. What I found is that the shingle's impact rating matters way more than the price alone. Class 4 shingles, for example, are specifically tested against hail and wind damage—some insurance companies even offer discounts if you install them.
Also, installation quality is huge. Even the best shingles won't hold up if they're poorly installed. Proper nailing patterns, underlayment choice, and ventilation all play a role in how well your roof survives extreme weather. I ended up going mid-range on price but made sure to hire a reputable contractor who knew their stuff. So far, it's held up great through a couple nasty storms... fingers crossed it stays that way.
Yeah, good points on installation. I've seen neighbors shell out big bucks on premium shingles but skimp on the installer... didn't end well. Curious though, anyone tried metal roofing? Heard it's pricier upfront but might last longer through storms.
