I do think they feel lighter when you pick up a bundle, but so far, no more warranty calls than usual.
That’s interesting, because I’ve actually had more callbacks since the switch to the lighter bundles—mostly minor stuff like tabs lifting after a rough winter. Could just be bad batches or installer error, but I’m a bit skeptical about the durability long-term. The old heavy ones seemed to sit tighter on steep pitches, at least in my experience.
I’m a bit skeptical about the durability long-term. The old heavy ones seemed to sit tighter on steep pitches, at least in my experience.
I hear you—had a couple roofs where the lighter shingles seemed to shift more after a windy season. Maybe it’s just the learning curve, but I do miss how solid the older bundles felt.
Yeah, I totally get where you’re coming from. The old heavyweight shingles had a certain “thunk” to them, didn’t they? I remember tearing off a 90s roof last fall—those things were like lugging bricks up a ladder, but once they were on, they barely budged through years of storms. The new lighter bundles are easier on the back, but I’ve noticed they seem to flex more when you’re nailing them down, especially on steeper slopes.
Had a job last spring on a 10/12 pitch, and even with six nails per shingle, the wind managed to work a couple loose by the time fall rolled around. That never used to happen with the old stuff. I’ve heard some of it has to do with changes in manufacturing—less asphalt, more fillers, that sort of thing. They say it’s for environmental reasons and weight limits for shipping, but it does make you wonder about long-term hold.
That said, I will say some of the newer “green” lines are starting to catch up in terms of durability. There’s a recycled-content shingle I tried out on my own shed as a test run. It felt flimsy at first, but after two years of sun and a couple nasty windstorms, it’s still sitting tight. Maybe it’s just about picking the right brand or line? Not all lightweight shingles are created equal, from what I can tell.
I do miss the solid feel of the old bundles, but my back doesn’t! Still, I wish there was a better balance between eco-friendly materials and that old-school sturdiness. Maybe we’ll get there as the tech improves. For now, I just double-check the nailing pattern and use extra adhesive on those steep jobs... not perfect, but it helps.
That’s super reassuring to hear about the recycled shingles holding up on your shed. I’ve been a little nervous about all the changes too, since our place is due for a new roof in the next year or two. I keep hearing mixed things—some folks say the lighter ones just don’t last, others are happy with them. Does the extra adhesive really make a difference on those steeper roofs? I’m kind of torn between wanting to go “greener” and not wanting to deal with missing shingles after every storm.
I get where you’re coming from—my neighbor went with the lighter, recycled shingles last year and honestly, they’ve held up better than I expected, even after a couple of nasty windstorms. I was skeptical about the adhesive too, but on his steep roof, nothing’s budged so far. I do wonder if it’s more about the install than the shingle weight sometimes...