Curious if anyone’s tried those impact-resistant shingles? I’ve seen them advertised but haven’t met anyone who actually put them on their house. Wonder if they’re worth the extra cash or just marketing hype...
I actually went with impact-resistant shingles after a nasty hailstorm trashed my old roof. They do cost more up front, but my insurance premium dropped a bit, which helped offset it. Honestly, they still get dinged by big hail—just not as bad as regular ones. I wouldn’t call them hype, but they’re not indestructible either. If you’re in a high-risk area, it might be worth it, but I wouldn’t expect miracles.
Had a similar debate with myself last year after a couple windstorms ripped up my old asphalt shingles. Ended up going with the impact-resistant ones mostly because my area gets a lot of hail, and honestly, they’ve held up better than the regular kind so far. They’re not bulletproof—still got a few dents after a big storm—but I haven’t had to replace any yet. The upfront cost stung a bit, but I figured it’s cheaper than another full roof job in five years. If you’re in a spot with wild weather, might be worth considering.
- Impact-resistant shingles are definitely a step up from standard asphalt, but I’ve seen some folks go with metal roofs in hail-prone areas and get even better results.
- Metal can be noisy in storms, but it’s tough—less likely to need patch jobs after heavy hail.
- Upfront cost is usually higher than impact shingles, though.
- One thing to watch with any type—make sure your installer follows manufacturer guidelines, or the warranty might not mean much when you actually need it.
- Had a client last winter who thought their “hail-proof” shingles would never dent, but a big enough storm will test anything... just something to keep in mind.
- Had metal put on my last place—yeah, it was pricier upfront, but after a couple hailstorms I was glad I did.
- The noise is real during heavy rain, though some folks say insulation helps.
- Impact shingles seem decent, but I’ve heard mixed things about how they actually hold up long-term.
- Curious if anyone’s dealt with insurance claims for both types? Wondering if metal gets you better rates or not...
- Metal’s definitely my pick for wild weather. Paid more up front, but after a couple of those “golf ball hail” storms, I was just relieved I didn’t have to mess with repairs.
- Noise is a thing, but once I added some extra insulation in the attic, it cut down the racket a lot. Not silent, but not like living inside a drum anymore.
- Impact shingles are everywhere in my area (Midwest), and neighbors have had mixed luck. Some brands seem to hold up okay for a few years, others got shredded by one bad storm. Maybe it depends on installer or shingle type…?
- Insurance-wise, my rates dropped a bit after switching to metal. Agent said it’s because they see fewer claims for big damage with metal roofs—still wasn’t a massive discount though. A friend with impact shingles didn’t get any break at all.
- One thing: metal does get dinged up (cosmetic dents) from hail, but unless you care about looks, it doesn’t affect function. My adjuster said claims only pay out if there’s actual leaks or structural damage.
- If you’re into green stuff, metal’s recyclable and reflects heat better than dark shingles. My summer AC bills went down some—small win there.
- Only downside for me was finding someone who actually knew how to install standing seam right. Took some hunting around.
All in all, I’d do metal again, especially if you’re in hail alley or tornado country. Just budget for the initial sticker shock and maybe some extra insulation if noise bugs you.
