Did you know shingles get layered like fish scales?

I looked into cool roof shingles last year when I was pricing out replacements. They’re a bit pricier up front, but the energy savings claims seem legit - at least on paper. Haven’t seen them stocked locally either, though. My patch jobs always end up a little uneven too... guess it’s just part of the DIY charm.

- Looked at those “cool” shingles too when we bought our place last fall. They sounded great in theory, but the price difference made me pause.
- Our local stores didn’t have them either - closest I found was a special order, and that felt like a hassle for a maybe-5% energy drop.
- I’m in the Midwest, so not sure the savings would be huge anyway. We get more cold than heat, so I wonder if it’d even pay off.
- Tried patching a few spots myself last month. Let’s just say the “fish scale” look is... not quite what I ended up with. Some overlap, some gaps, a couple spots where I’m hoping the next rain isn’t a test.
- Honestly, I get the appeal of DIY, but I’m starting to see why people pay for pros.
- Still, I kinda like the idea that my roof has “character” now. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I see the uneven bits.

I kinda like the idea that my roof has “character” now. Or at least that’s what I tell myself when I see the uneven bits.

Haha, same here. I tried patching a couple spots last winter and let’s just say my “character” is visible from the street. Midwest weather is brutal on roofs anyway, so I figure as long as it keeps the water out, I’m calling it a win. Those fancy shingles looked cool but yeah, not sure they’d make much difference with our cold snaps.

- Totally get the “character” thing.

“my ‘character’ is visible from the street.”

Same here - patched a few spots and now it’s like a patchwork quilt up there.
- Midwest winters are no joke. Even the best shingles can curl or crack after a few years of freeze/thaw.
- As long as it’s not leaking, you’re ahead of the game. Fancy shingles look nice but honestly, I’ve seen them struggle too when the wind picks up.
- My neighbor tried those designer ones and still had to replace a bunch after last February’s ice storm… sometimes simple is better.

That “patchwork quilt” look is basically the Midwest homeowner badge of honor. I swear, you can spot which houses have been through a few rough winters just by the shingle patterns. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on those fancy architectural shingles, only to watch them peel up like potato chips after one of our classic ice storms. At this point, I’m convinced the basic three-tabs are like cockroaches - ugly, but they hang in there. As long as water’s not coming in, I’ll take a little “character” over another insurance claim any day.