- I hear you on the basics getting ignored. My inspector barely glanced at the decking or underlayment—just wanted to see the clips and shingle type.
- I went with a cheaper shingle but spent extra on ice/water shield and better vents. Insurance didn’t care, but after a nasty windstorm last year, no leaks. Neighbor with “premium” shingles had water coming in around the chimney.
- Honestly, I’d rather pay a little more up front for the stuff that actually keeps water out, even if it doesn’t get me a discount.
- The insurance break was nice, but I’m not convinced it’s worth chasing every little checkbox if the basics aren’t solid.
- If you’re on a budget, I’d say:
- Make sure the plywood isn’t rotting
- Use a good underlayment (not the cheapest felt)
- Check that your attic can breathe
- Fancy shingles are cool, but if the stuff underneath is junk, you’re just asking for trouble.
- Insurance might not notice, but you will when it rains sideways...
Fancy shingles are cool, but if the stuff underneath is junk, you’re just asking for trouble.
Insurance might not notice, but you will when it rains sideways...
Couldn’t agree more with this. I get why people want the “best” shingles, but honestly, after dealing with a leak a few years back, I’m convinced the underlayment and flashing matter way more than whatever’s on top. My last house had these architectural shingles that looked great, but the builder cheaped out on the felt and skipped ice/water shield in a few spots. First big storm, water found its way in around a vent pipe. Insurance didn’t care—said it was “maintenance.” Ended up costing me more than I saved on premiums.
I do wonder sometimes if inspectors are just checking boxes for the insurance companies. Mine barely poked his head in the attic, didn’t even look at the plywood. I get that they’re looking for wind mitigation stuff, but what’s the point if the basics are ignored? Like, what’s the use of hurricane clips if your decking is already soft or rotting?
I’m all about saving money, but chasing every insurance discount feels like a trap if it means cutting corners elsewhere. I’d rather spend a bit more on ice/water shield and proper venting, even if it doesn’t show up on my policy. The peace of mind is worth it, especially with how wild the weather’s been lately.
One thing I’d add—if you’re redoing your roof and you’re on a budget, see if you can at least upgrade to synthetic underlayment. It’s not that much more, and it holds up way better than old-school felt, especially if your shingles ever blow off. Also, check your attic insulation while you’re at it. Poor insulation can lead to ice dams, which just makes leaks worse.
I get wanting to save where you can, but sometimes the “invisible” stuff is what really saves you down the line.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually went the opposite route when I bought my place last year. I focused on the shingles first, since in my area (lots of hail), the insurance company gave a big discount for impact-resistant ones. The inspector did check the decking and underlayment, but honestly, I couldn’t afford to upgrade every layer at once. My thinking was: get the discount now, then save up to redo the underlayment in a few years if needed. Maybe not ideal, but sometimes you’ve gotta prioritize what you can actually swing, especially with all the other first-time homeowner costs.
That actually sounds like a pretty smart move, especially with hail being such a big deal in your area. Prioritizing impact-resistant shingles for the insurance break makes sense—those discounts can really add up over time. Did your inspector mention anything about the current underlayment needing immediate attention, or was it more of a “keep an eye on it” situation? I’ve seen plenty of folks do upgrades in stages, especially with all the other costs that come with a new place. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles, right?
Did your inspector mention anything about the current underlayment needing immediate attention, or was it more of a “keep an eye on it” situation?
It was more of a “keep an eye on it” thing, thankfully. He said the underlayment’s still got some life, but I should budget for a replacement in the next few years. Honestly, after all the other surprise expenses, I’m just glad it wasn’t urgent. Picking battles is right—my wallet’s already waving a white flag.
