Insurance might cover some stuff, but they love to argue about “maintenance issues” versus “storm damage.” Learned that one the hard way.
Ain’t that the truth... Had a leak pop up months after a storm and insurance said it was “wear and tear,” not hurricane-related. Ended up patching it myself. As for synthetic underlayment, I switched to it last reroof—seems tougher than felt, but I did notice it can get slippery if you’re up there after rain. No blow-offs yet, fingers crossed. Metal roofs look great, but yeah, my wallet ran for cover when I saw those quotes.
Metal roofs look great, but yeah, my wallet ran for cover when I saw those quotes.
- Metal’s pricey up front, but I’ve seen fewer repairs after storms compared to shingles.
- Synthetic underlayment’s solid, but if it’s slippery wet, that’s a safety risk—worth considering.
- Insurance loves the “maintenance” excuse. Document everything, even minor stuff. Sometimes it helps push a claim through.
- Luck plays a part, sure, but regular checks and upgrades matter more in the long run.
Metal’s pricey up front, but I’ve seen fewer repairs after storms compared to shingles.
- I feel you on the sticker shock. I wanted metal too, but just couldn't swing it.
- My shingle roof survived last season, but it took a few hits. Some minor leaks, nothing major, thankfully.
- Totally agree—luck matters, but doing regular checks probably saved me from bigger headaches.
- Insurance is a pain. I keep a folder of every little repair now...just in case.
- Upgrades are great if you can budget for them, but sometimes you just gotta make do and hope for the best.
ROOF SURVIVED HURRICANE, BUT WAS IT JUST LUCK?
Sticker shock is real. I remember getting a quote for a metal roof and thinking, “Guess I’ll just keep a bucket collection going in the living room instead.” Ended up sticking with asphalt shingles because, well, the bank account said so. They did okay last hurricane, but I lost a few tabs and had to do the old attic crawl with a flashlight and a roll of duct tape. Not my favorite Saturday.
I totally get the folder-for-insurance thing. I’ve got a whole drawer now—photos, receipts, even a video of me poking at a suspicious water stain while my dog barks in the background. Insurance adjusters seem to love “evidence,” but I swear they’re allergic to actually paying out.
Regular checks are clutch. I’m not the handiest person, but even just walking around the house after a storm and looking for shingle confetti in the yard has saved me from bigger headaches. Found a loose vent cap once that could’ve turned into a mini waterfall if I hadn’t caught it.
Here’s where I’ll throw in my green roof plug—if you ever get the chance (and the budget), those things are wild. My neighbor has one with sedum and some kind of grass, and it’s like a little jungle up there. Supposedly helps with insulation and storm runoff, plus it looks cool. Not exactly hurricane-proof, but at least you get some bonus flowers with your leaks.
Honestly, sometimes it does feel like luck. But I figure every bit of prep helps tilt the odds. Even if it’s just making sure the gutters aren’t growing their own ecosystem. And hey, if all else fails, at least you’ve got a good story for the next storm season barbecue.
Luck definitely plays a part, but I see a lot of folks underestimate just how much regular upkeep can tip things in your favor. You nailed it with the “shingle confetti” check—sometimes it’s the little stuff that saves you from bigger disasters. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve found a missing shingle or a popped nail on what looked like a perfectly fine roof from the ground.
I hear you on the insurance folder. If it’s not photos, it’s receipts... and if it’s not receipts, it’s some weird request for a “before and after” video. I had a client once who kept a running commentary on his roof’s condition just in case—turned out to be a lifesaver when he needed to file a claim. Insurance companies seem to want proof you had a roof at all, sometimes.
Metal roofs are great, but yeah, that price tag can make your eyes water. I’ve seen some folks go for architectural shingles as a middle ground—they hold up better than the basic 3-tabs, but still don’t cost as much as metal. Not hurricane-proof, but less likely to peel up in high winds. Anyone tried those synthetic “rubber” shingles? Curious if they’re worth the hype.
Green roofs are super interesting, though I wonder how they’d do down here with all the humidity and storms. I’ve only seen one in person, and it was more of a “conversation piece” than anything. Cool idea, but I’d be nervous about leaks unless it was installed by someone who really knew what they were doing.
Out of curiosity, how old is everyone’s roof? I keep running into folks who don’t realize their warranty is up until something goes wrong. Sometimes just knowing the age helps you plan ahead, even if the budget isn’t ready for a full replacement.
