Had a similar experience myself—got a decent deal on shingles, but the crew rushed through the flashing and valleys. Ended up having to redo some of it myself after spotting damp spots in the attic. Makes me wonder if it's just rushed workmanship or if some of these newer roofing materials aren't as forgiving to shortcuts as the older stuff was. Anyone else notice certain materials holding up better despite installation issues?
Yeah, you're onto something there. Seems like newer shingles are great on paper, but they're way less forgiving when the install gets sloppy. I've seen roofs 20+ years old still holding tight, while some newer ones leak after just a few seasons... makes ya wonder.
You make a good point about installation quality being key, but I wouldn't put all the blame on newer shingles themselves. From what I've seen, it's often a combination of factors—materials, installation, and even ventilation—that determines how long a roof lasts.
For instance, I've inspected roofs that were installed just five years ago and already had leaks, but when we dug deeper, it wasn't necessarily the shingles' fault. Sometimes the installers skipped steps like proper underlayment or didn't nail shingles correctly. Other times, the attic ventilation was inadequate, causing moisture buildup underneath the shingles, which drastically shortens their lifespan.
Older roofs might seem tougher because they were often installed with more care and attention to detail. Back then, roofers took their time, and there wasn't as much pressure to finish quickly. Nowadays, with tighter schedules and competitive pricing, some crews rush through jobs, cutting corners along the way. It's not always intentional negligence—just the reality of the industry today.
If you're noticing newer roofs failing prematurely, I'd suggest checking out the attic ventilation first. Poor ventilation traps heat and moisture, causing shingles to curl and deteriorate faster. Also, look closely at flashing around chimneys and vents—these are common trouble spots where leaks start early if not done right.
So yeah, while newer shingles might seem less forgiving, they're usually pretty solid if installed properly and supported by good ventilation. It's worth considering these other factors before writing off modern materials entirely.
You're spot-on about installation and ventilation being huge factors, but honestly, I think there's another angle we're overlooking here: the actual quality of the materials themselves has changed, at least to some degree.
I've been inspecting homes for about 15 years now, and I've definitely noticed a shift in how shingles hold up over time. Sure, proper installation and good ventilation are critical—no argument there—but even when those boxes are checked, some newer shingles just don't seem as robust as the older ones. I've seen roofs installed perfectly, with textbook ventilation and flashing, yet they still start showing granule loss and brittleness way sooner than you'd expect.
Here's the thing: manufacturers have tweaked their formulas over the years to meet environmental regulations, reduce costs, or improve aesthetics. Sometimes those changes are great, sometimes...not so much. I remember a batch of shingles from a pretty reputable brand about eight or nine years ago that were notorious for early granule shedding. They looked fantastic initially, but after just a few seasons, homeowners were finding granules clogging their gutters and downspouts. It wasn't installation or ventilation—it was just a bad run of materials.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all newer shingles are inferior. Most brands today have solid products, especially their higher-end lines. But there's definitely more variability these days, and quality control can sometimes slip through the cracks. So yeah, installation and ventilation are absolutely critical, but I wouldn't totally dismiss the possibility that the shingles themselves might occasionally be part of the problem.
If you're noticing roofs wearing out faster nowadays, I'd say it's worth considering all angles—including the actual shingles themselves. Sometimes it's not just about how they're put on, but what they're made of in the first place.
"manufacturers have tweaked their formulas over the years to meet environmental regulations, reduce costs, or improve aesthetics."
This right here is key. I've replaced two roofs in the past 20 years, and the second one definitely didn't hold up as well—even though I went with a reputable brand. Sometimes it feels like we're beta testers for new shingle formulas... Maybe manufacturers should slow down on the "innovation" and focus more on durability again? Just a thought.
