I hear you on the metal roofs. I went with architectural shingles a few years back because I just couldn’t swing the metal price at the time. They’re supposed to be “impact resistant,” but after last spring’s hail, I still ended up with a couple cracked ones and had to get up there to swap them out. No leaks, but it’s a pain. If I had to do it again, I’d probably save up for metal, dents and all. The shingle warranties sound good on paper, but dealing with claims is another story...
That’s the thing with “impact resistant” shingles—they’re better than the old 3-tabs, but still not bulletproof when it comes to big hail. Did you notice if the cracked ones were mostly on the windward side or just random spots? Sometimes it’s installation, sometimes just bad luck with where the hail hits. I’m curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer synthetic shingles—are they actually tougher, or just more marketing?
I went with the “impact resistant” ones after a bad hailstorm trashed my old roof, but honestly, I still found a few cracks here and there after the next big one. Most were on the side facing the wind, but not all. Looked into those synthetic shingles too, but the price tag was a bit much for me. Hard to tell if they’re really worth it or just hype—especially when you’re watching every dollar.
Hard to tell if they’re really worth it or just hype—especially when you’re watching every dollar.
I hear you on the price tag for those synthetic shingles. I looked into them after my neighbor’s roof survived a hailstorm with barely a scratch, but the sticker shock had me backing away real quick. I’ve got the “impact resistant” asphalt ones too, and while they held up better than my old three-tabs, I still found a couple dings and one cracked shingle on the north side. Maybe it’s just the nature of hail—if it’s big enough, nothing’s totally safe. At this point, I’m starting to think the only real solution is moving somewhere with less crazy weather...
- I’ve wondered if the synthetic stuff is just overkill unless you’re in a hail hotspot.
- My neighbor’s metal roof took a beating last spring but still looked better than my “impact” shingles—though it was way noisier during the storm.
- Insurance gave me a small payout for the cracked ones, but it barely covered materials.
- Anyone tried those stone-coated steel shingles? Curious if they’re quieter or just as pricey as the synthetics...