That lines up with what I’ve seen—most folks around here just stick with standard shingles and focus on the basics. I’ve patched more leaks from bad flashing than from shingle damage, honestly. Unless you’re in a hail belt, “good enough” usually is.
I’ve patched more leaks from bad flashing than from shingle damage, honestly.
Same here. I can’t count how many times I’ve been called out for “shingle problems” and it’s actually the flashing or some detail around a vent or chimney. Around here (mid-Atlantic), standard 30-year shingles hold up fine unless there’s a freak storm. Upgrading to impact-resistant or designer shingles is nice, but most folks get more value out of making sure the install details are right. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough... as long as the basics aren’t skipped.
I get where you’re coming from—bad flashing is a pain, and I’ve dealt with my share of leaks that had nothing to do with the shingles themselves. But I’ll be honest, after managing a few properties through some of these crazy storms we’ve had lately, I’m starting to see the value in going a step above “good enough.”
We had a building with standard 30-year shingles and decent install work, but after that hailstorm last spring, we still ended up replacing half the roof. Insurance covered some of it, but the hassle and downtime for tenants was rough. Since then, I’ve started leaning toward impact-resistant shingles or even metal in certain spots—especially on buildings that are tough to access or have a lot of tree cover.
Sure, install details matter (and I’m picky about flashing now), but sometimes spending a bit more upfront saves you headaches down the road. Maybe it’s overkill for every house, but for rentals or places you don’t want to mess with for 20+ years? Worth considering.
Funny, your story about the hailstorm really hits home—I’ve seen so many “good enough” roofs get trashed by one bad storm. I used to think standard shingles were fine if installed right, but after inspecting a few properties post-storm, I started rethinking things too. Honestly, you’re not being overcautious. It’s not just about the material but also peace of mind, especially for rentals where you can’t always keep an eye on things. Investing a bit more upfront can save a lot of stress later... wish I’d realized that before my own leaky mess last year.
I’ve been wrestling with this same decision since moving in last year. I get the appeal of just going with standard shingles—they’re cheaper and everyone uses them—but after seeing my neighbor’s roof get shredded by hail (and then dealing with insurance headaches), I’m not convinced “good enough” really is. Still, metal roofs are a big upfront cost, and I’ve heard they can be noisy in heavy rain. For me, it’s coming down to how often these storms actually hit our area versus the extra money now. Not sure there’s a perfect answer, but I’m leaning toward something a bit tougher than basic asphalt... just for peace of mind.