You're definitely onto something with installation quality—seen it myself more times than I care to count. Even the best materials can fail fast if they're not installed right. As for metal roofs, they can be great if done properly. Noise isn't usually a big deal if there's decent insulation underneath. Had one customer worried about rain noise, but after we finished, he said it wasn't any louder than his old shingles. Worth considering for sure, especially if longevity's your priority.
"Even the best materials can fail fast if they're not installed right."
Couldn't agree more with this. I've inspected homes where the roof was barely five years old but already showing signs of serious wear—curling shingles, leaks, you name it. Usually, it comes down to rushed installation or cutting corners on ventilation. I remember one place in particular: beautiful home, premium shingles, but the attic ventilation was practically nonexistent. The homeowner couldn't understand why his "30-year roof" was failing after just six years. Once he fixed the ventilation issue, things improved dramatically.
Metal roofs can be fantastic too, but again, installation is key. I've seen some metal roofs that look brand new after 20+ years and others rusting out in less than a decade because someone skipped proper sealing or used incompatible fasteners. Noise-wise, yeah, it's mostly a myth—good insulation and underlayment make all the difference.
Bottom line: materials matter, sure...but I'd say installation quality and proper ventilation are equally important if you want your roof to last.
Yeah, ventilation is huge. Another thing I've noticed is how often flashing gets overlooked or done poorly. I've seen roofs where the shingles themselves were fine, but water was sneaking in around chimneys or skylights because someone rushed the flashing job. Had one homeowner convinced his shingles were defective, but turns out the installer just slapped some caulk around the chimney instead of proper step flashing...big difference. Details matter a ton with roofing.
"Had one homeowner convinced his shingles were defective, but turns out the installer just slapped some caulk around the chimney instead of proper step flashing...big difference."
Couldn't agree more—I've seen similar situations myself. Another overlooked detail is drip edge installation. Some roofers skip it altogether or install it incorrectly to save a few bucks, but it really helps direct water away from the fascia boards and prevents rot. Small details like this might seem trivial at first, but they significantly extend your roof's lifespan and save you money down the road.
