Did you guys check the nail placement when installing those architectural shingles? I've seen plenty of roofs with high-end shingles fail just because the nails weren't hitting the right spots. Had a similar situation last year—client insisted on premium shingles, but after a storm, a few blew off. Turned out the crew rushed the job and missed the nail line. Meanwhile, my neighbor's basic three-tabs are still holding strong after years... makes you wonder if it's less about the shingle type and more about attention to detail during installation?
I've seen this happen more times than I can count. Honestly, the nail placement is probably the most overlooked part of roofing installs. People get caught up in shingle brands and warranties, but none of that matters if the crew isn't careful with the basics. Had a property last spring where we went with mid-range architectural shingles—nothing fancy, but decent quality. I made sure to be there when they started laying them down, and sure enough, had to remind the guys twice about hitting the nail line properly. After that, no issues at all, even after some pretty nasty storms.
Makes me wonder though, do you guys think it's worth paying extra for those shingles rated specifically for high winds (like 130 mph+), or is it mostly marketing hype? Curious if anyone's actually seen a noticeable difference in performance compared to standard architectural shingles when both are installed correctly.
I've wondered about this too, but honestly, if the installation is done right, I'm skeptical that paying extra for those high-wind shingles makes a noticeable difference. Seems like proper nailing and good workmanship matter way more than the wind rating on the package...
Had a client last year whose roof survived a pretty nasty storm—neighbors lost shingles left and right, but theirs stayed put. Funny thing is, they didn't splurge on fancy high-wind shingles, just had a meticulous roofer who nailed everything down properly. Makes you think...
