I totally get what you mean about the “fish scale” thing looking easier than it actually is. I tried patching a few spots on my own roof last spring and lining them up was a lot trickier than YouTube made it seem. Did you use any kind of ice and water shield under the shingles? I’ve heard that helps with leaks, especially with Midwest storms, but honestly, I’m not sure if it’s worth the extra cost for just a couple repairs. Also—hail is brutal here. My neighbor’s metal roof looked untouched after the last storm, but mine looked like someone took a hammer to it. Ever thought about switching materials, or is that just way too pricey?
Ice and water shield is a bit of a double-edged sword, honestly. For full roof replacements or if you’re dealing with valleys, eaves, or spots that see a lot of runoff, it’s pretty much standard these days—especially in the Midwest where freeze/thaw cycles and wind-driven rain are brutal. But for just patching a couple of shingles? It can be overkill, unless you’re working right at the edge or somewhere prone to leaks. The stuff isn’t cheap either, and it’s not always easy to tuck under existing shingles without making things look lumpy.
Hail is a nightmare here too. I’ve managed properties with both asphalt and metal roofs, and yeah, metal holds up way better against hail. The upfront cost is steep though—sometimes double or more compared to asphalt. Insurance premiums can drop a bit with metal, but it takes years to make up the difference. If your roof’s due for replacement anyway, it might be worth pricing out both options. Otherwise, for spot repairs, sticking with matching shingles is usually the path of least resistance... even if they don’t last as long as we’d like.
Fish scales is exactly how I described it to my cousin when he helped me up on the roof for the first time. He thought I was joking till he saw the overlap. It’s kind of wild how something so simple is what keeps water out—at least most of the time.
I hear you on the ice and water shield. Last winter, we had a stretch where it thawed just enough to make a mess, then froze again overnight...twice in one week. The houses that had that stuff along the eaves seemed to survive without a single leak. But yeah, I tried tucking some under existing shingles for a patch job and let’s just say, it looked like my roof had a hernia. Ended up pulling it back out and just using regular felt for that spot.
Metal roofs look slick and handle hail like champs, but man, my neighbor’s install sounded like a drum solo every time it rained. He swears he got used to it, but I dunno. I’m still rocking asphalt because it was way cheaper when I bought the place, and replacing just a few damaged shingles after a storm is about all my budget can handle right now.
You’re spot on about matching shingles being the easy route for repairs. Sometimes they don’t blend perfectly if your roof’s faded (my patch job is basically a shingle-shaped “scar”), but at least it keeps things watertight until I can afford something fancier.
If anyone’s feeling overwhelmed by all this, trust me, you’re not alone. Roofing feels like playing Tetris with expensive pieces sometimes. Just gotta line ‘em up and hope for the best...and maybe keep a bucket handy for backup.
- Totally get the “scar” look with new shingles on an old roof. Mine’s got a patch that stands out like a sore thumb, but hey, it’s dry inside.
- Metal roofs are cool, but yeah, the noise is real. My uncle’s place sounds like a popcorn machine in a storm. Not sure I’d get used to that either.
- Ice and water shield is a lifesaver, but trying to tuck it under old shingles is a pain. I’ve messed that up too—felt like I was wrestling a stubborn tarp.
- Roofing’s definitely not as simple as it looks from the ground. Just gotta keep plugging away and hope the next storm isn’t too wild.
That “scar” patch look is like a badge of honor, honestly. Means you survived at least one good storm, right? I’ve had to do the tarp-wrestling move too—never as easy as those YouTube folks make it look. As for metal roofs, I swear my neighbor’s sounds like hail is auditioning for a rock band every time it rains. Still, if the inside’s dry, you’re winning. Roofs are weirdly humbling... you think you’ve got it handled, then the next storm rolls in and you’re back up there with a flashlight and a prayer.
