If you’re ever re-roofing, I’d say spend more on the stuff you can’t see (underlayment, fasteners) than on fancy shingles. Your wallet might cry at first, but you’ll sleep better when the next hurricane rolls through...
Couldn’t agree more about investing where it counts, even if it stings up front. I’ll admit, I was pretty skeptical about all the “extras” when we had to redo our roof after Sally. The contractor tried to upsell me on peel-and-stick underlayment and hurricane straps, and I almost walked away thinking it was just a money grab. Ended up caving after hearing enough horror stories from neighbors.
Funny enough, it wasn’t the big stuff that got us—it was a tiny leak right at a seam that turned into a soggy ceiling. That bead of goo you mentioned? Worth every penny. I used to think more nails meant more security, but after seeing a friend’s roof with double-nailed shingles still get peeled back, I’m not so sure anymore.
I do think luck plays a part, but shortcuts are what really get you. My neighbor skipped the underlayment upgrade and now he’s patching drywall every storm season. Sometimes you save a few bucks and pay for it twice over...
I’ve seen a lot of roofs come and go, and honestly, the stuff you can’t see is what keeps me up at night. I used to think a thick shingle was all you needed, but after watching a few “premium” roofs peel off like a banana during a storm, I’m not so sure anymore. The underlayment and fasteners are like the unsung heroes—nobody brags about them, but they’re the reason you’re not mopping up rainwater at 2am.
One thing I’ve noticed: people love to cut corners on the boring stuff. I get it, nobody wants to pay extra for something you’ll never see. But after managing a few properties where the “budget” option turned into a recurring leak, I’m convinced it’s not worth the gamble. Had a tenant call me last year after a tropical storm—brand new roof, but they’d skimped on the underlayment. Water found its way in through a vent seam and ruined half the ceiling. Insurance covered some of it, but the hassle? Not worth it.
I do wonder sometimes if luck plays a bigger role than we admit. I’ve got two buildings side by side—same installer, same materials, same year. One’s had zero issues, the other’s needed patching twice. Maybe it’s wind direction, maybe it’s just bad luck, or maybe there’s always that one spot nobody catches.
I’m still not sold on every “upgrade” contractors pitch, though. Some of it feels like overkill, especially if you’re not in a hurricane zone. But for those of us on the Gulf Coast, I’d rather pay for peace of mind than gamble with drywall repairs every season. And yeah, that bead of goo (flashing sealant?)—I swear by it now. It’s not glamorous, but neither is explaining water stains to a tenant.
Curious if anyone’s tried those synthetic underlayments instead of felt? I keep hearing mixed things about longevity and cost.
The underlayment and fasteners are like the unsung heroes—nobody brags about them, but they’re the reason you’re not mopping up rainwater at 2am.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen felt get shredded by wind before the shingles even had a chance to fail. We’ve been using synthetic underlayment on recent jobs—goes down faster, lighter to haul, and doesn’t wrinkle up if it gets wet. I’m still watching to see how it holds up long-term, but so far, no callbacks. Price is higher than felt, but not crazy if you factor in labor savings. For Gulf Coast weather, I’d pick synthetic over felt any day.
Funny how nobody talks about underlayment until something goes sideways. I used to think felt was fine, but after seeing a neighbor’s roof get half-peeled off in a storm (felt flapping everywhere), I’m leaning hard toward synthetic too. It’s just easier to handle, especially when you’re up there in the heat and humidity—doesn’t feel like you’re wrestling with a soggy blanket.
One thing I noticed, though: you’ve gotta be careful with the overlap and fastening. If you skimp on the cap nails or staples, even the best synthetic can lift at the seams. I learned that one the hard way on a windy day—thought I could get away with fewer fasteners... nope. Had to redo a section.
Price-wise, yeah, synthetic stings a bit more upfront, but not having to go back and fix stuff saves time (and your back). For Gulf Coast storms, I’d rather pay a little extra and sleep better when the wind picks up. Not sure if it’s luck or good prep, but so far, no leaks here.
I’ve seen a lot of roofs that “survived” a storm, only for hidden issues to pop up months later. Sometimes it’s not luck or prep—it’s just nobody’s checked the attic yet. Synthetic’s better, sure, but I still see folks cut corners on install. Fasteners matter way more than people think. If you’re in hurricane country, skipping steps isn’t worth it. I’ve crawled through enough soggy insulation to know.
