I get wanting to save money, but sometimes the “good enough” option just isn’t worth the gamble.
Honestly, I see this all the time. Folks go with the cheapest shingles thinking, “How bad can it be?” Then a couple hailstorms later, they’re shelling out way more than if they’d just gone with a tougher material up front. I get the sticker shock—metal or impact-resistant shingles aren’t cheap—but after seeing roofs trashed twice in five years, I’m not convinced “good enough” really is. Sometimes you’re just paying to do the job twice.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not totally sold on the idea that “good enough” is always a bad call. My place has regular asphalt shingles—nothing fancy—and yeah, we get storms, but I’ve managed with some patching and a couple of quick repairs over the years. Not everyone’s got the budget for metal or high-end stuff, especially if you’re not planning to stay in the house long-term. Sometimes it’s about balancing what you can afford now with what makes sense for your situation. Just my two cents...
I’m in a similar boat—went with basic asphalt shingles when I bought my place, mostly because the price was right. We get some nasty wind here too, and yeah, I’ve had to climb up there for a patch job or two. Honestly, if you’re not planning to stay forever, it’s tough to justify dropping big money on metal or tile. For me, “good enough” has worked out so far... just gotta keep an eye on things after storms and be ready for the occasional fix.
I hear you—patching up after every windstorm gets old fast. I’ve seen plenty of folks stick with asphalt for the same reasons, and honestly, as long as you’re keeping an eye out for missing tabs or exposed nails, it usually holds up okay. Had a client last year who swore by regular attic checks after storms—caught a leak early and saved himself a headache. Metal’s great, but that price tag is no joke if you’re not in it for the long haul. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough... just gotta stay on top of it.
Metal’s great, but that price tag is no joke if you’re not in it for the long haul.
That’s the kicker, right? I’ve seen plenty of folks shell out for metal, but if you’re not planning to stick around, it’s a tough sell. Asphalt can be totally fine if you’re on top of the basics—like you said, regular checks for missing tabs or sneaky leaks in the attic. Honestly, most leaks I find are from neglected flashing or clogged gutters, not the shingles themselves. Sometimes “good enough” really does get the job done... as long as you don’t ignore it until water’s dripping on your dinner table.