I've been down this road before myself and totally get the hesitation about recycled sheets...they can be hit or miss depending on the supplier. One thing you might want to ask about is the warranty terms—some brands offer pretty solid guarantees specifically against UV fading. That might at least give you some peace of mind.
Also, have you considered checking out local roofing supply places rather than big-box stores? I've found they often have better insights into which brands hold up best in your specific climate. Speaking of durability, has anyone here tried aluminum vs steel sheets in sunny climates? Aluminum's lighter and supposedly resists corrosion better, but I'm not sure how it stacks up long-term under intense sun exposure. Curious if anyone's got firsthand experience with that...
- Good point about warranties, hadn't thought much about UV fading specifically...will definitely ask about that.
- Checked out a local roofing place last weekend, and honestly, the guy there seemed way more knowledgeable than the folks at the big-box stores. Prices weren't bad either.
- Aluminum vs steel is something I'm still debating myself. My neighbor went with aluminum about 3 years ago—looks great so far, but he mentioned it dents easier than steel if there's hail or falling branches. Not sure if that's a big issue in your area?
- Also curious if anyone's noticed a significant noise difference between aluminum and steel during heavy rain...heard mixed things about that.
Yeah, local places usually have folks who really know their stuff. About the noise thing—I put steel sheets on my shed last year, and honestly, it's louder than I expected during heavy rain. Not terrible, but noticeable. Aluminum might be similar...?
"honestly, it's louder than I expected during heavy rain. Not terrible, but noticeable."
Yeah, steel roofs can definitely amplify rain noise a bit. Aluminum's similar, maybe even slightly louder since it's lighter and thinner. Adding some insulation or underlayment underneath helps a lot—made a noticeable difference on my garage roof.
I've noticed the same thing about aluminum being louder—my neighbor installed aluminum sheets last year, and during heavy storms, I swear it sounds like popcorn popping in there, haha. But seriously, insulation can make a huge difference. Curious if anyone's tried those foam-backed panels? I've read they dampen sound quite a bit, but haven't seen them in action yet...
