Definitely agree that installation quality is a major factor. I've inspected countless roofs where premature wear was directly linked to improper ventilation or incorrect flashing details. Manufacturers have their issues, sure, but more often than not, it's the shortcuts installers take that cause early failures. Just last month, I saw a roof barely 6 years old with shingles curling badly—turned out the ridge vent was installed incorrectly, trapping moisture and heat. Proper installation really can't be overstated...
I've noticed something similar with my roof, though in my case it wasn't ventilation but flashing that caused the headache. About four years ago, I decided to tackle a small leak that had started near our chimney. Initially, I assumed it was just aging shingles or maybe a cracked sealant somewhere. But when I got up there and took a closer look, I was surprised to find that whoever installed the flashing around the chimney had barely overlapped it—maybe an inch or so—and didn't even bother sealing it properly.
It was frustrating because at first glance everything looked okay from the ground. But once I peeled back a few shingles, there was obvious water intrusion and even some early rot starting in the plywood underneath. Thankfully, I caught it early enough to avoid major structural damage. Still, it made me wonder how many other corners were cut during installation.
After fixing that issue myself—properly overlapping new flashing and sealing all the joints thoroughly—I haven't had a single leak since. Interestingly enough, the shingles themselves were still in decent shape despite being exposed to moisture for who knows how long. It really drove home the point for me that even high-quality materials won't perform well if they're installed incorrectly.
I'm convinced that while manufacturers might occasionally have their quality control issues, improper installation is probably responsible for most of these premature roof failures we're seeing lately. It seems like workmanship standards vary wildly these days...and homeowners often end up paying the price down the road.
I hear you on the installation issues. Had something similar happen with my place—thought the shingles were junk at first, but turned out whoever did the roof before I bought it skimped big-time on underlayment. Barely any overlap, no proper sealing...just sloppy work. Once I redid it myself (properly this time), zero issues since. Honestly, I think roofs aren't wearing out faster; it's just that rushed or careless installs are becoming way too common these days.
Totally agree with you on installation quality being the main culprit. I've noticed another factor too—ventilation. A neighbor had premature shingle curling and thought it was defective materials, but turns out his attic ventilation was practically nonexistent. Once he added proper ridge vents and soffit intakes, the shingles stopped deteriorating so quickly. Proper airflow makes a huge difference in roof lifespan, yet it's often overlooked during installs...guess it's easier to blame the shingles than dig deeper into the real issue.
- Good point on ventilation—often overlooked.
- Another sneaky factor: roof pitch. Lower slopes tend to hold moisture longer, speeding up wear.
- Also, seeing more extreme weather lately...hailstorms, heatwaves. Definitely shortens lifespan.
- Still, quality shingles installed right should last decades. If they're failing early, I'd bet money it's installation or ventilation issues rather than materials.
