So, last night's storm was pretty intense, and now I've got a lovely drip-drip situation in my attic. Got me thinking about roofing materials—shingles or metal roofs. My neighbor swears by metal, says it's tougher and lasts longer, but my cousin insists shingles are easier to patch up if something goes wrong. Honestly, I'm kinda torn... anyone dealt with both? Curious which you'd pick and why.
I've had both types of roofs on different houses, and honestly, I'd lean toward metal if you can swing the upfront cost. Shingles are definitely easier to patch up in a pinch, but that's partly because they need patching more often—especially after storms like the one last night. Metal roofs are tougher and generally hold up better against wind and hail. Plus, snow slides off easily, which is a nice bonus if you're in a colder climate.
One thing to keep in mind though: metal roofs can be noisy during heavy rain or hail. Some folks find it soothing, others not so much—depends how you feel about sleeping under a drum solo. But overall, metal just seems like less hassle long-term. I've dealt with fewer leaks and maintenance headaches since switching over. Just my two cents...good luck with that attic drip!
I've been considering metal myself, mostly because of durability and lifespan. Shingles are fine, but after a few seasons of patching and replacing blown-off tabs, it gets old fast. One thing I'd add though—metal roofs don't have to be noisy if they're installed right. A buddy of mine put in some extra insulation and soundproofing layers underneath his metal roof, and it's surprisingly quiet even during heavy storms. He swears by it.
But here's something I've wondered about: does anyone know how metal roofs affect cell reception or Wi-Fi signals inside the house? I've heard mixed things—some say it makes no difference, others claim their signal strength dropped noticeably after installation. I'd hate to upgrade my roof only to end up with spotty internet...
I'm with you on the metal roof durability—after years of patching shingles, I'm pretty much over it. About the cell and Wi-Fi issue, though, I've heard mixed things too. My neighbor switched to metal last summer, and he mentioned a slight drop in his Wi-Fi signal strength, but honestly, it wasn't anything drastic. He just repositioned his router a bit and added a cheap extender upstairs, and things went back to normal.
From what I've read, the signal issues depend a lot on your home's layout, router placement, and how strong your reception is to begin with. Metal can theoretically reflect signals, but if your router's centrally located or you have decent coverage already, you might not even notice a difference. If you're worried, maybe test your current Wi-Fi strength around the house first—then you'll know exactly what you're working with before making the switch.
Metal Roof Sounds Great, But Cost is a Big Factor
I've been following this thread closely since I'm in a similar boat. Had shingles for years, and honestly, patching them up after every big storm is getting old fast. I totally get the appeal of metal roofs—durability, longevity, and less hassle overall. But the upfront cost is what's holding me back right now.
I did some quick research and talked to a couple of local contractors. Metal roofing seems to be significantly pricier initially compared to shingles. Sure, it lasts longer and probably saves money in the long run, but it's still a hefty investment upfront. For someone like me who's budget-conscious, that's a tough pill to swallow.
About the Wi-Fi issue mentioned earlier—I hadn't even thought about that until reading your posts. Good to know it's not usually a huge deal if you position your router right or add an extender. My house isn't huge, so hopefully that wouldn't be much of an issue here.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is noise during heavy rain or hailstorms. A friend of mine installed metal roofing last year and said the noise was louder than expected during storms—not unbearable, but definitely noticeable compared to shingles. Might be something worth considering if you're sensitive to noise or have bedrooms directly under the roofline.
At this point, I'm leaning toward sticking with shingles for now just because of budget constraints. But if finances weren't an issue, I'd probably go metal without hesitation. Seems like less maintenance and fewer headaches down the road would be worth it in the long term.
