I actually thought the lighter weight was a plus at first—made it easier for me to haul bundles up the ladder when I patched a section last fall. But now you’ve got me second-guessing if that’s just less material overall. I haven’t noticed a ton of granule loss yet, but maybe it’s because I’m in a milder climate and haven’t had hail. The warranty stuff is a headache though... I tried reading through it and just ended up more confused. Maybe it’s not all bad, but I do wonder if the quality’s slipping a bit.
I get where you’re coming from. The lighter bundles are definitely easier on the back, but yeah, it’s hard not to wonder if we’re just getting less shingle for the same money. I’ve seen the same thing—no obvious granule loss yet, but I’m in the southeast where we don’t get much hail either.
Warranties are a whole other mess. They look great on the packaging, but when you actually try to figure out what’s covered and what isn’t, it’s like reading a foreign language. I’ve had homeowners call me after a storm thinking they’re covered, only to find out there’s a ton of fine print.
Honestly, I don’t think you’re imagining things. Shingles have changed over the years—some for the better, some not so much. But if your patch job’s holding up and no granules in the gutters yet, you’re probably doing alright for now. Just keep an eye on it after any big wind or rain... sometimes that’s when the shortcuts show up.
Lighter bundles had me thinking I’d suddenly gotten stronger—turns out, nope, just less shingle in the bag. I’ve seen bundles go from “need a buddy to lift” to “one-hand and a coffee.” As for warranties, I swear they’re written by lawyers who moonlight as magicians... now you see coverage, now you don’t. Had a neighbor try to claim after a big windstorm last year—insurance pointed to the fine print, and that was that. I’d say keep your eyes peeled after storms and maybe stash a few extra shingles just in case.
I thought I was just getting better at hauling stuff around the yard, but those lighter bundles got me too—grabbed one the other day and almost tossed it over my shoulder by accident. Turns out, fewer shingles per pack. Not sure if it’s about making them easier to carry or just stretching the product further, but I double-checked my math a few times stacking them in the garage.
About those warranties... yeah, they’re wild. I read through mine after moving in (because I’m paranoid) and it’s basically “covered unless anything actually happens.” I haven’t had to file a claim yet, but after hearing stories like your neighbor’s, I’m thinking about taking pictures after every big storm—just in case.
One thing that helped me: I labeled leftover shingles with purchase date and color code, then stashed them in the attic. It’s not a huge stash but should save me from scrambling if a few blow off. That said, with how thin these new ones feel, I might need to keep a closer eye on things when the next wind hits...
That’s a smart move, keeping those extras labeled and handy. I’ve noticed the same thing with the new bundles—definitely lighter, and the coverage per pack seems to have dropped a bit. From what I’ve read, manufacturers are shifting to lighter bundles partly for safety and ease of handling, but it does mean you have to buy more to cover the same area. Not sure it’s a win for homeowners, especially when you factor in how thin some of these newer shingles feel.
Warranties are a whole other beast. I’ve dug through a few, and the exclusions list is always longer than the coverage. Taking photos after storms is a solid habit, especially if you’re in a spot that gets hit hard by wind or hail. I’ve started doing that too—just a quick set of shots from different angles, and it’s come in handy when I had to show “before and after” for a minor claim.
If you’re worried about wind, you might want to check the wind rating on your shingle type. Some of the newer “eco” options have surprisingly good ratings, but others... not so much. I’ve found that proper installation makes a bigger difference than the shingle thickness alone.