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.
I actually went with impact shingles when we bought our place last year (budget reasons), and honestly, the noise isn’t bad at all—even during hail. I get the appeal of metal, but with good install and a decent shingle brand, ours have held up fine so far. Maybe I just got lucky with storms?
Impact shingles are a solid choice, especially if you’re in an area that gets its fair share of hail. I’ve seen plenty of roofs after storms, and honestly, the difference between a decent impact shingle and a basic three-tab is night and day. You might be onto something with the install quality too—sometimes it’s less about the material and more about how well it’s put on (and whether the attic’s got enough ventilation and insulation).
Noise-wise, metal definitely has a reputation for being loud, but I’ve noticed that’s usually when there’s not much between the roof and your living space. If you’ve got a good layer of insulation or even just a vented attic, it cuts down the racket a lot. Still, some folks just can’t get used to that pinging during a storm.
I’ve inspected a few homes where impact shingles took direct hits from golf ball-sized hail and came out with just cosmetic scuffs—no leaks or missing tabs. Metal will dent, but rarely punctures. Shingles can lose granules or crack if they’re older or cheap, but the newer impact-rated ones hold up surprisingly well.
One thing I’d keep an eye on is how your shingles age after a couple more seasons. Sometimes the first year or two is fine, then you start seeing little issues—edges curling, granules in the gutters, that sort of thing. Not always a big deal right away, but worth checking after each big storm.
Budget-wise, I get it—metal can be double or triple the price up front. But if you’re planning to stay put for 20+ years, sometimes it pays off in the long run (less maintenance, lower insurance in some places). For most folks though, impact shingles are a pretty reasonable middle ground.
Funny thing—I once saw a house with both: metal over the porch and impact shingles on the main roof. Owner said he liked the sound of rain while sitting outside but wanted quiet inside. Guess there’s no one-size-fits-all answer...
That combo roof setup actually makes a weird kind of sense—my neighbor did something similar and swears by it. I’m still a bit skeptical about impact shingles though. Seen a few that looked fine after hail, but then a year later, the edges started curling up and the granules were halfway to the downspout. Maybe it’s just our wild freeze-thaw cycles here, but I’d say don’t trust the first season as proof they’ll last. Metal’s pricey, sure, but at least you know what you’re getting into.
I hear you on the price of metal—it made my wallet sweat just getting a quote. But those impact shingles are tricky. Mine looked great after a storm, but by the second winter, I was chasing bits of granule in the gutters too. Has anyone tried those synthetic shake-looking panels? I wonder if they actually hold up better in the freeze-thaw mess, or is it just another marketing thing? I’m trying to avoid the “replace every 10 years” cycle if possible…
Synthetic shakes are popping up all over my area (Midwest), and I’ve seen a few jobs up close. They definitely look good, and the freeze-thaw doesn’t seem to mess with them as much as asphalt. That said, I’ve seen a couple of cracked panels after a bad hailstorm—nothing’s bulletproof. They’re pricier than regular shingles but way less than metal. If you’re hoping to dodge the “replace every decade” routine, they might buy you some time, but I wouldn’t call them a miracle fix. Maintenance is still a thing, just different stuff to watch for.
