"Sometimes manufacturers skimp there too, not just on gauge thickness."
Exactly. When we replaced ours five years ago, I dug into the coating specs and found some supposedly "premium" products were barely better than standard. Makes me wonder if corners are being cut more frequently nowadays...
You're spot on about the coatings. When I replaced mine last summer, I spent hours comparing spec sheets and warranty fine print—honestly, it felt like decoding hieroglyphics at times. Even some of the pricier shingles had surprisingly thin protective layers. Makes you wonder if manufacturers are banking on homeowners not digging too deep into the details... Glad to see I'm not the only one who gets caught up in these rabbit holes!
- Had the same experience a couple years back—felt like every shingle I checked had gotten thinner or lighter compared to older ones.
- Even saw some supposedly "premium" shingles that seemed pretty flimsy when held side by side with my old roof samples.
- Makes me wonder if it's just cost-cutting, or are there new environmental regs forcing manufacturers to change materials?
- Also curious if anyone's looked into metal roofing lately—does the higher upfront cost really pay off in durability?
"Makes me wonder if it's just cost-cutting, or are there new environmental regs forcing manufacturers to change materials?"
Actually, from what I've seen, it's not just about cutting corners or regulations. Some newer shingles are intentionally lighter to reduce roof load and improve energy efficiency. They might feel flimsy compared to older ones, but the materials and tech behind them have improved significantly. As for metal roofs, they're solid—literally—but the payoff depends heavily on your climate and how long you plan to stay in the property.
- Fair points, but I've noticed even some of the "improved" shingles seem to struggle with hail or high winds more than older versions did.
- Makes me skeptical about the real-world durability despite lighter weight and efficiency gains...
