This matches up with what I've been seeing lately too. Even roofs that were installed by experienced crews using good materials seem to be struggling sooner than they used to. Just last month, I replaced shingles on a home that was only about 8 years old—everything was done right, ventilation was solid, but still, the shingles were curling and cracking after a few nasty winters.
You're spot on about manufacturers basing their lifespan estimates on average weather conditions. The "30-year" shingles often don't hold up close to that when you factor in extreme weather events becoming more common. I had one homeowner who went all-in on architectural-grade shingles after a bad hailstorm wrecked most of his neighborhood's roofs. At first, he wasn't thrilled about the higher cost (understandably), but after another harsh season, his roof was one of the few still looking great. Sometimes those upgrades really do pay off.
One thing I've noticed is the impact of temperature swings—going from freezing cold nights straight into warmer sunny days repeatedly seems to really speed up wear and tear over time. Those fluctuations can stress even premium shingles more than people realize.
Have you noticed if certain types or brands of shingles seem to hold up better in your area under these harsher conditions? Curious if anyone's finding consistent winners or losers out there...
I've definitely noticed shingles wearing out quicker lately, especially after harsh winters. Interesting point about temperature swings—I hadn't really thought about that, but it makes sense. Have you seen any difference with metal roofs in your area? I've inspected a few recently that seemed to handle extreme weather better, but I'm still not totally convinced they're worth the extra cost...
You're spot on about shingles deteriorating faster after harsh winters—I've observed similar trends in recent inspections. Metal roofs do seem more resilient against temperature swings and ice dams, but the upfront cost can be tough to justify unless you're planning long-term...
You're definitely onto something with metal roofs holding up better—I've seen shingles practically crumble after just a couple rough winters. But hey, don't beat yourself up about the cost too much. Think of it this way: every time you're not up there patching shingles in freezing temps, you're saving yourself from frostbite and a whole lotta cursing...trust me, been there, done that. Long-term planning can be a pain, but your future self might thank you later.
Yeah, I've noticed shingles don't seem to hold up like they used to either. Could be manufacturers cutting corners, or maybe weather patterns are just getting harsher...who knows?
"every time you're not up there patching shingles in freezing temps, you're saving yourself from frostbite and a whole lotta cursing"
Haha, too true. I spent one winter afternoon trying to patch shingles with numb fingers—never again. Metal roofing sounds tempting, but anyone here tried those architectural shingles? Heard they're supposed to last longer, but curious if they're actually worth it.
