My place came with composite shingles (Malarkey Highlander, I think?) and it’s been through four winters in upstate NY. The fish scale overlap does help shed water, but I’ve noticed if ice dams build up, the water still finds a way under. I added ice & water shield underneath the first few rows and that seemed to help a lot. Haven’t had to patch anything yet, but I’m always paranoid after freeze-thaw cycles. Metal’s tempting, but yeah—ouch on the price.
- Had the same issue with ice dams a couple years back—water always finds a way in, no matter how good the shingle overlap looks on paper.
- Ice & water shield under the first 3 feet made a big difference for me too. Not perfect, but at least I’m not seeing leaks at the eaves anymore.
- Metal is tempting, but yeah, the price tag is brutal. Also, snow slides off so fast it can wreck gutters if you’re not careful.
- I just keep an eye on the attic after big freeze-thaw swings. Haven’t had to patch yet either, but I’m always waiting for that first drip...
Metal is tempting, but yeah, the price tag is brutal. Also, snow slides off so fast it can wreck gutters if you’re not careful.
That’s the thing with metal—no more ice dams, but then you’re dealing with the “avalanche” effect. Did anyone try those snow guards? I’ve seen mixed results. Also curious if anyone’s attic ventilation upgrades actually helped with the freeze-thaw cycles, or if it’s just one of those things you have to live with in colder climates.
- I actually went with snow guards on my metal roof—mixed bag. They helped, but still got a couple big slides that trashed my downspouts.
- Upgrading attic ventilation made a bigger difference than I expected. Less ice buildup, and the upstairs feels less drafty now.
- Honestly, if you’re in a spot with heavy snow, sometimes the old-school shingle approach is just less hassle... even if it means dealing with ice dams now and then.
- Metal roof was way outta my price range, so I stuck with the “fish scale” shingles. Not glamorous, but at least I don’t get those avalanche-style snow dumps. My gutters are still alive (for now).
- Ventilation’s a sneaky one. I cheaped out on it when I first moved in… big mistake. Ended up with a weird frost pattern in the attic and a draft that made my bedroom feel like a meat locker. Fixed the vents last year and it’s honestly cozier now.
- Ice dams are still a pain, though. I tried those heated cables—felt like I was wrapping Christmas lights around the house in February. Not sure if they helped or just made the squirrels curious.
Anyone ever try those synthetic shingles? Supposed to be lighter and last longer, but I’m skeptical. Worth the extra cash, or just another thing to worry about?
