LUCK OR JUST GOOD SHINGLES?
If you’re finding shingles out in the yard, the roof’s basically waving a little white flag. I’ve seen this a bunch—folks think “Hey, it survived the hurricane, we’re golden!” but then you walk around the house and there’s a shingle chilling by the fence. That’s the roof’s way of saying, “Help, please.”
Totally agree on the green roofs. They look awesome and all, but unless you’re really into roof gardening and have a thing for lugging bags of soil up a ladder, they’re a pain. Plus, if your house is older or you don’t know what’s under there, that extra weight can turn into a nightmare real quick. I had one guy try it on his 1960s ranch—let’s just say his ceiling didn’t appreciate the new hobby.
I’m all for architectural shingles. They cost a bit more, but they hold up better in wind, and you don’t have to babysit them every season. Less drama, more peace of mind. If you’re not the maintenance type (and honestly, who is?), simple and sturdy is the way to go.
- Not sure I’d write off green roofs entirely. If you’ve got the right structure (modern build, reinforced joists), they can really help with insulation and stormwater.
- On the shingle front, I’ve had 3-tab asphalt last through two hurricanes, but only because I kept up with sealing and spot repairs. Sometimes it’s not just luck or the shingle type—it’s maintenance too.
- Architectural shingles are solid, but if you’re in a hail zone, metal might be worth the upfront cost. My neighbor switched after losing half his roof in a storm... hasn’t touched it since.
- Just my two cents—sometimes “simple and sturdy” means different things depending on where you live and how much time you want to spend up there.
I’ve inspected a lot of roofs post-storm, and honestly, maintenance is a huge factor. I’ve seen older 3-tab shingles outperform newer architectural ones just because the owner kept up with flashing and fastener checks. Sometimes it’s less about luck and more about what’s happening under the surface—decking condition, ventilation, even how well gutters are cleared. Green roofs are interesting, but I’d only recommend them if the structure was designed for that extra load from day one. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble down the line.
Totally agree that maintenance is a game changer. I’ve got a 15-year-old roof (just basic asphalt shingles, nothing fancy) and it’s held up through two hurricanes so far. I check the flashing every spring, seal up any spots where the caulk’s looking sketchy, and make sure those gutters aren’t turning into science experiments. My neighbor replaced his with “lifetime” architectural shingles a few years back, but he never cleans his valleys or checks for loose nails... and he’s already had to patch some leaks after the last big storm.
I do think luck plays a part—like, if a branch comes down in just the wrong spot, there’s only so much you can do—but most of what I’ve seen is that small stuff gets ignored until it turns into big stuff. Decking is a good point too. When I redid my attic insulation last year, I found a couple soft spots in the plywood that would’ve been trouble if I hadn’t caught them early.
Green roofs are cool in theory (I love the look), but they’re way more complicated than people think. The weight alone freaks me out—my house was built in the 80s, and I’m pretty sure it’d protest if I tried to put a garden up there. Plus, the waterproofing has to be perfect or you’re just growing mold instead of plants.
One thing I’m curious about: anyone have experience with synthetic underlayment? I used felt when I patched my shed roof but keep hearing synthetics are better for wind resistance. Not sure if it’s worth redoing my main roof just for that though.
Anyway, maintenance isn’t glamorous but it beats waking up to water dripping on your face at 2am... learned that one the hard way.
You’re spot on about maintenance making all the difference. I see it all the time—folks with “lifetime” shingles who think they’re set for decades, but then ignore the basics like cleaning valleys or checking flashing. That’s when leaks sneak up on you, not because the materials failed, but because the little stuff got missed. As for synthetic underlayment, it’s definitely tougher against wind and doesn’t wrinkle up like felt, but unless you’re already re-roofing, I wouldn’t tear off a solid roof just to swap it out. You’re getting more mileage out of your setup than most, honestly.
