Materials matter, but install is the foundation.
That’s spot on. I’ve seen roofs with mid-grade shingles outlast “premium” ones just because the installer took the time to get the basics right—especially around penetrations and valleys. Even small shortcuts, like missing a few nails or sloppy flashing, can mean leaks or blow-offs later. You really can’t overstate the value of solid workmanship. Sometimes it’s not luck, just attention to detail.
I’ve wondered about this too, especially since I went with a more affordable shingle last time around. The installer spent a lot of time on the flashing and made sure the nailing pattern matched the manufacturer’s specs, which I think made a difference. But how do you really know if the install was done right unless something goes wrong? Is there a way to check after the fact, short of pulling up shingles?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I’ve had roofs that looked perfect after install, but then a year later, I’d spot a shingle lifting or a tiny leak around a vent. Sometimes you don’t know until a big storm hits, but I’ve heard some folks get a roof inspector to check things over—though I’m not sure how thorough they can be without pulling stuff up. Has anyone actually done that and found issues the installer missed? I always wonder if it’s worth the extra cost or if it’s just peace of mind.
I’ve heard some folks get a roof inspector to check things over—though I’m not sure how thorough they can be without pulling stuff up.
I’ve actually had an inspector come out after a new install, and while they didn’t pull up shingles, they did catch a couple of things—like improper flashing around the chimney and some nails that weren’t seated right. It wasn’t cheap, but for me, it was worth catching those issues before the next big storm. I think it’s less about peace of mind and more about catching stuff early, especially in hurricane zones. Still, no inspection is perfect if they can’t see under the surface... but it beats waiting for a leak to show up.
Still, no inspection is perfect if they can’t see under the surface... but it beats waiting for a leak to show up.
That’s pretty much it. Most inspectors won’t start pulling up shingles unless there’s a clear reason, but a good eye can still spot stuff like bad flashing, loose nails, or missing sealant. I’ve seen plenty of “new” roofs with issues that would’ve been a nightmare in the next storm. It’s not foolproof, but it’s way better than finding out the hard way when water’s pouring in.
