“Maintenance is still a thing, just different stuff to watch for.”
That’s been my experience too. I put synthetic shakes on my garage roof last year—looked great, but after the first big hail, I noticed a couple spots where the edges chipped. Not as bad as asphalt, but still not immune. They do seem to handle the freeze-thaw better though. If you’re tired of replacing shingles every storm season, it’s worth looking at, but yeah, not a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Just different headaches.
That’s a pretty fair take. Synthetic shakes definitely hold up better in the freeze-thaw cycle—less curling and cracking than asphalt, in my experience. Hail’s always going to be a wildcard, though. I’ve seen even the “impact rated” stuff get dinged up after a bad storm. One thing I tell folks: check those edges and fasteners every spring, just to catch any early issues. It’s not zero maintenance, but it’s a different kind of upkeep. At least you’re not up there patching torn shingles every year...
“Hail’s always going to be a wildcard, though. I’ve seen even the ‘impact rated’ stuff get dinged up after a bad storm.”
- Can’t argue with that—hail laughs at warranties. Seen “Class 4” rated stuff get pockmarked like a golf ball after one of those spring storms.
- Synthetic shakes are solid for freeze-thaw, but if you’re in a spot with big hail, nothing’s bulletproof. Metal roofs dent too, just differently.
- Edge and fastener checks are smart. I’d add: look for loose tabs or anything lifting after wind events—synthetics can “creep” if not nailed right.
- Maintenance is still a thing, just less of the “ladder and tar bucket” variety. More like walking around with a flashlight and a screwdriver.
- One thing: some of these synthetics get slick as snot when wet. Nearly lost my footing last fall doing an inspection... not my proudest moment.
Bottom line, every roof’s got its quirks. Just gotta pick your battles depending on what Mother Nature throws at you.
I get the frustration with hail—nothing’s truly immune, but I think there’s a bit more nuance with some of the newer green roofing options. For example, I’ve seen living roofs (sedum mats, etc.) take a beating from hail and bounce back way better than most hard surfaces. Not saying it’s for everyone—definitely not cheap up front, and you need the right structure underneath—but it’s worth considering if you’re already re-roofing and want something that handles thermal swings and storm runoff too.
On the synthetic shakes, totally agree about the freeze-thaw performance, but I’ve noticed some brands are starting to add grit or texture to help with traction. Still not perfect when wet, but it’s a step in the right direction. Maintenance is always going to be part of the deal, but at least with some of these alternatives you’re not dealing with constant shingle granule loss or rust spots.
Curious if anyone’s tried recycled rubber shingles? Supposedly they absorb impact better than metal or asphalt, but I haven’t seen them in action during a major hailstorm yet.
Rubber shingles are kind of the unicorn of roofing—everyone’s heard about them, but I rarely see them in the wild. I’ve inspected a couple homes with recycled rubber roofs, and honestly, they looked pretty solid after a few years of Midwest weather. No major dents or splits, even after some gnarly hail. They do seem to absorb impact better than metal or asphalt, but I’d be lying if I said they’re totally immune to damage. One thing I noticed: they can scuff up a bit if you’ve got overhanging branches or a lot of foot traffic (think satellite dish installs gone wrong).
Living roofs are cool in theory—great for runoff and insulation—but you’re right, not exactly budget-friendly. Plus, you need a beefy structure underneath or you’ll end up with a rooftop swamp. Synthetic shakes are getting better, but I still see folks slip-sliding around when they’re wet...maybe not ideal if you’re up there cleaning gutters.
If anyone’s thinking about rubber, just double-check your local fire codes and insurance fine print. Some companies get weird about “non-traditional” materials. Learned that one the hard way...
