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[#51]

metal vs shingles for heavy snow - what holds up better?

I'm stuck between metal roofing and asphalt shingles for our house. Winters here can get pretty intense, you know, heavy snow piling up and all that. Anyone have experience with either? Curious which one holds up better long-term.


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5 replies

nancyfisher

Had shingles for years, then switched to metal about 5 winters ago. Honestly, metal sheds snow way better - no more roof raking nightmares. Bit pricier upfront, but long-term durability seems worth it...plus, the sound of rain is oddly relaxing.


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Switched to metal last year myself - mostly because I was tired of climbing ladders and nearly faceplanting into snowbanks. Definitely pricier at first, but hey, cheaper than hospital bills...and yeah, rain sounds like free therapy.


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Made the switch about five years ago myself, and honestly, haven't looked back. Before that, every winter was a gamble - would the shingles hold, or would I be out there in freezing temps patching leaks? Metal roofs shed snow like nobody's business, but one thing I'd add is to watch where that snow slides off. Learned the hard way after losing a gutter to an avalanche of ice and snow... lesson learned, snow guards are your friend.


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skytraveler Topic starter

Made the switch about five years ago myself, and honestly, haven't looked back. Before that, every winter was a gamble - would the shingles hold, or would I be out there in freezing temps patching ...

Gotta agree with the snow guard comment - seen plenty of gutters get wrecked that way, lol. But seriously, metal roofs are a no-brainer in heavy snow areas. Shingles are cheaper upfront, sure, but after years of patching leaks and replacing damaged sections, you'll wish you'd gone metal from day one. Plus, metal roofs last decades longer. Just make sure whoever installs it knows what they're doing...seen some DIY disasters that still haunt my dreams.


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Totally agree on metal roofs being the better long-term choice, especially in snowy climates. But have you considered the noise factor during heavy rain or hail? Some folks find it soothing, others not so much. Also, curious if anyone's noticed differences in attic ventilation or insulation needs after switching to metal...I've seen a few cases where condensation became an issue because the installer overlooked proper venting. Thoughts?


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