That’s a fair point—sometimes it really is the roof itself, not just the drafts. I had a similar experience after replacing my old shingles with metal. The temp swings in the attic dropped way more than when I just added insulation. Insurance was a pain, but worth it in the end. Wildflowers on the roof sound pretty cool, by the way... never thought of that angle.
Metal roofs really do make a difference, don’t they? I was skeptical at first—figured it was just a fancy upgrade for folks with deep pockets. But after my neighbor put one on and stopped complaining about his attic turning into a sauna every summer, I caved and did the same last year. The insurance hoops were no joke (they wanted photos from every angle, including some spots I’m pretty sure only squirrels can reach), but once it was done, the whole house felt steadier temp-wise.
Funny you mention wildflowers—I actually saw a green roof setup at a garden show once. Looked amazing, but I can barely keep weeds out of my lawn, let alone tend to plants on top of the house. Maybe if I had less tree cover or lived somewhere drier... For now, I’ll stick to metal and cross my fingers during hail season. Still, there’s something to be said for trying new things—just wish insurance companies would get on board a little quicker when we do.
Insurance and metal roofs—always a circus, right? I’ve had clients send me drone shots just to satisfy the adjusters. But I’m with you, the temp control is real. Ever notice how some companies still act like metal’s some weird experiment, even though it’s been around forever? Wildflowers on a roof look cool, but I’d worry about roots messing with the seams. Anyone actually seen one last more than a couple seasons in our climate?
Had the same runaround with my insurer last year—kept asking for “proof of age” on my standing seam roof. Ended up digging up the original invoice from 2008 and sending photos from every angle.
Exactly. It’s like they’ve never heard of barn roofs. As for wildflowers, I looked into a green roof system, but between the roots and our freeze-thaw cycles, it just didn’t seem worth the risk or cost. Metal’s pricey up front, but I’m banking on it outlasting me at this point.“Ever notice how some companies still act like metal’s some weird experiment, even though it’s been around forever?”
“Ever notice how some companies still act like metal’s some weird experiment, even though it’s been around forever?”
That made me laugh—seriously, it’s like they’ve never driven past a farm in their lives. I had to jump through the same hoops with my insurance last fall. They wanted “proof” my roof wasn’t ancient, even though the thing looks brand new compared to half the houses on my street. Ended up sending them a selfie with the roof in the background just for fun (not sure if that helped).
I hear you on green roofs. Looked into it too, but between our winters and all the extra weight, I just couldn’t justify the cost or hassle. Metal’s not cheap up front, but I keep telling myself it’ll pay off in the long run—less stress about leaks or shingles blowing off every time there’s a storm. Plus, not having to worry about replacing it for decades is a huge relief.
Glad you finally got your policy sorted out. Jumping through all those insurance hoops is such a pain, but at least you know you’re covered now.
