I’m almost at the point of just tarping the whole thing and calling it “rustic charm.”
Honestly, if you’re gonna go “rustic,” might as well slap a green roof up there and call it eco-chic. My neighbor did it—just a layer of sedum and some drainage mats. No more curling shingles, and now he’s got squirrels judging his gardening skills from above. Plus, it keeps the house cooler in summer. Way less drama than chasing shingles down the street every time the wind picks up.
Green roofs are definitely an interesting option, especially for insulation and managing runoff. I’d just caution that the structural load can be a big concern—older framing might not support the extra weight without reinforcement. For most clients, I still see metal roofing as a lower-maintenance, longer-term fix...though it’s not exactly cheap upfront.
I keep hearing about metal roofs being the “set it and forget it” option, but I’ll be honest—after living with one for a decade, I’m not totally sold. Here’s the thing: yes, they last forever, but there are trade-offs that don’t always get mentioned. For one, they’re LOUD in a hailstorm or heavy rain. Maybe some folks find it soothing, but it’s kept me up more than once. Also, if you ever want to add a vent or satellite dish later, it’s a pain to patch.
About green roofs, I get the worry about weight.
That’s true, but there are lighter options these days—sedum mats and modular trays aren’t as heavy as the full-blown intensive green roofs. My neighbor put in a thin-layer green roof on his garage and didn’t need much extra support. He says his garage is way cooler in summer now, and he barely hears rain on it. Maintenance isn’t zero, but it’s mostly pulling weeds a couple times a year.“the structural load can be a big concern—older framing might not support the extra weight without reinforcement.”
If I had to redo mine tomorrow, I’d probably try one of the new composite shingles. They look like slate or wood, but they’re lighter and supposedly last 40-50 years. My cousin just put them on his place in upstate NY (lots of snow and ice), and so far, he’s happy. The upfront cost was a little less than metal, and installation was easier—less specialized labor needed.
One thing I wish I’d known: whatever you pick, factor in the underlayment. I went cheap on mine and regretted it when we had an ice dam. Synthetic underlayment might cost more, but it’s less likely to fail if water sneaks under the main roofing.
Bottom line—metal is solid, but it’s not perfect for everyone. There are some middle-of-the-road options now that might be worth a look, especially if you’re dealing with an older house or want something quieter.
I hear you on the metal roof noise—first time I did an inspection during a hailstorm, I thought the world was ending. Some folks love that sound, but it’s not for everyone. I’ve also seen a lot of DIY satellite dish installs go sideways on metal... patching those holes isn’t as simple as folks think.
Green roofs are interesting. I checked out a place last summer where they used those sedum trays, and honestly, it looked great and didn’t add much weight. The owner said his upstairs was noticeably cooler, which is a big deal in our muggy summers. Only thing is, he mentioned the occasional weed battle and some drainage tweaks.
I’m with you on composite shingles—did a walk-through on a house with those recently, and they looked sharp. The homeowner said install was straightforward and the warranty was solid. Price wasn’t as scary as I expected either.
Totally agree about underlayment. I’ve seen more than one “premium” roof job ruined by cheap felt underneath. If I had to pick for my own place? Probably composite or maybe even high-end architectural asphalt, just for the balance of cost, looks, and not having to call in a specialist every time something needs fixing.
I keep coming back to the idea of a metal roof, but the noise thing gives me pause. Is it really that bad during storms? My neighbor swears by his, but I’ve only heard it from inside my own place, which is shingle. That said, I’m not wild about the idea of patching holes if I ever need to move a vent or dish—seems like one of those “looks easy until you’re up there” jobs.
Composite shingles seem like a safe bet, but do they actually last as long as advertised? My current asphalt ones started curling after 12 years, and the warranty fine print was a joke. Anyone had experience with those newer synthetic underlayments? I keep seeing them at the store but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
