If I had to pick a new roof tomorrow, I’d probably be standing in the aisle at Home Depot for three hours, texting my dad and googling “what roof won’t make me broke or deaf.” I totally get what you mean about the sticker shock on metal. I got a quote for standing seam panels and thought maybe they’d thrown in a free car with it. My neighbor down the street went with metal too, and now he jokes that he can hear squirrels doing tap dancing routines up there. I don’t know if I could handle that kind of surround sound every time it rains.
I ended up with architectural shingles as well—mostly because my budget was already crying after buying the house. But I did splurge on the synthetic underlayment. The roofer said it’s like putting a raincoat under your hat, which sounded good enough for me. We had a windstorm last month and lost a couple shingles, but no leaks so far (knock on wood). Still, every time there’s a storm, I’m out there squinting at the roof like it’s going to sprout wings and fly away.
I do wonder if the noise thing with metal is as bad as people say, though. Some folks claim it’s “soothing,” but I think they might be confusing their house with a white noise machine. Maybe if you’ve got thick insulation or an attic, it’s not as bad? But my place is basically one big echo chamber.
Has anyone tried those composite or rubber shingles? They look interesting but I haven’t seen them in person. I’m curious if they’re any quieter than metal or longer-lasting than asphalt. At this point, my main goal is just not having to climb up there every spring with a bucket of tar and a prayer...
I hear you on the metal roof noise—my cousin has one and says it’s like living inside a popcorn machine during hail. I went with architectural shingles too, mostly because my wallet was already in shock after closing costs. Haven’t tried composite or rubber, but a neighbor did the rubber ones and swears they’re quieter than metal and seem to shrug off hail pretty well. They look decent from the street, but up close you can tell they’re not traditional shingles. If I had to do it again, I’d probably still stick with asphalt just for the price and familiarity, but I’m definitely curious about those newer options... especially if it means less patching after every storm.
You’re not wrong about the metal roof noise—some folks love it, others can’t stand it. Rubber and composite are definitely gaining traction, especially in hail-prone areas. Did your neighbor mention how their rubber shingles hold up in terms of fading or curling? That’s one thing I’ve seen come up after a few years. Asphalt’s still the budget king, but these newer materials are getting better every year... just wish the price would drop a bit faster.
I’ve managed a few properties with rubber shingles, and honestly, the fading’s been hit or miss. One place looked pretty sharp after five years, but another started to dull out by year three—could’ve been the sun exposure, who knows. Curling hasn’t been a big issue yet, but I do keep an eye on it after a couple rough winters. Metal’s great for longevity, but yeah, the noise during storms is no joke. If prices on composite ever come down, I’d probably lean that way just for the low maintenance. Asphalt’s still hard to beat if you’re watching costs, though.
I’m in the middle of this debate myself since my place is due for a new roof in the next year or two. Leaning toward metal, but the noise thing worries me—my parents’ house had a metal roof and you could barely hear yourself think during a heavy rain. I keep circling back to asphalt because it’s just way more budget-friendly, and seems to handle our freeze-thaw cycles decently enough. The rubber and composite options sound cool but I’m not sure I wanna be a guinea pig for fading or weird weather issues. Wish these choices were easier...
