I hear you on the ventilation—honestly, I think that’s where most folks cut corners and end up paying for it later. I tried the cheaper underlayment once (regret it), but fixed my attic airflow and haven’t had a leak since. Sometimes it’s not about buying the fanciest stuff, just making sure everything works together.
Ventilation’s one of those things people overlook until there’s a problem, for sure. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on premium shingles, but if the attic can’t breathe, you’re just asking for trouble—mold, ice dams, premature aging, you name it. I’m a big fan of continuous ridge vents paired with soffit vents; that combo really balances airflow. Underlayment matters too, but like you said, it’s more about the system working together than any single “miracle” product. Sometimes the basics—good airflow, solid flashing—do more than any fancy upgrade.
Had a customer last year who’d just put on some of those fancy architectural shingles—looked great, but within a couple seasons, he started noticing weird stains on the bedroom ceiling. Turned out, the attic was basically a sauna because whoever did the install skipped proper venting. He was pretty frustrated, since he’d spent all that money thinking he was set for decades.
We ended up adding a ridge vent and making sure the soffits were clear (they were packed with insulation). Once the airflow got sorted, the moisture issues cleared up. It’s wild how often it comes down to the basics—good airflow, solid flashing, and keeping things simple. I get why folks want to upgrade everything, but sometimes it’s just about making sure the system works together. Not every roof needs all the bells and whistles, especially if you’re in a milder climate. But man, when ventilation gets ignored, it’ll come back to bite you...
You nailed it—ventilation gets overlooked way too often. I see people drop a fortune on new shingles, but if the attic can’t breathe, you’re just inviting problems. Good call sorting out the ridge vent and soffits. Sometimes the basics really do save you the most hassle down the line.
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen folks drop thousands on a new roof, only to deal with mold or warped decking a few years later because they skipped the basics. Ventilation is just one of those things that doesn’t seem urgent until you’re staring at condensation or, worse, a sagging ceiling. I learned the hard way—my first place had beautiful new shingles but barely any soffit venting. Ended up with ice dams every winter and had to redo half the insulation.
Since then, I always check for proper airflow before worrying about any cosmetic upgrades. Ridge vents are solid, but without clear soffits, they’re pretty much useless. Also worth noting—if you’ve got a complex roofline or additions, sometimes the airflow gets blocked in weird spots. Baffles made a big difference for me, especially over cathedral ceilings.
It’s not glamorous work and nobody compliments your attic vents, but it’s saved me a lot of headaches (and cash) in the long run.
