- Totally agree about the flashing—most leaks I’ve seen are from bad install, not the shingle itself.
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That’s been my experience too. Class 4 shingles took a beating in last year’s storm, but only a couple needed patching.“Class 4 asphalt is solid for hail, and way easier to repair in small sections if something does go wrong.”
- Metal’s cool for longevity, but the dents bug me. Plus, it’s noisy in heavy rain unless you’ve got good insulation.
- If you’re in a spot with frequent hail, Class 4 asphalt seems like the sweet spot for cost vs. hassle.
I hear you on the metal roofs—my neighbor went that route and yeah, it’s holding up, but after the last hailstorm, it looked like someone played whack-a-mole up there. The noise is no joke either... during a downpour, it sounds like living inside a drum. I actually stuck with Class 4 asphalt for my own place (Midwest, so hail’s pretty much an annual event). They’re not indestructible, but after last spring’s golf ball hail, I only had to swap out a couple tabs. Way easier than dealing with whole panels or trying to pop out dents.
Flashing’s a big deal too. My first roof job, I cheaped out on the flashing and paid for it later—water found its way in around the chimney. Lesson learned: spend the extra few bucks there.
Price-wise, Class 4 wasn’t cheap but nowhere near what metal was quoted at. Plus, patching is a lot less intimidating for a weekend DIYer. If you’re in a spot where hail is just part of life, I’d say asphalt gives you the most bang for your buck without turning your house into a tin can.