if you had to redo your roof tomorrow, what material would you pick?

We added a good underlayment and attic insulation, which helped a ton.

Yeah, that’s the trick with metal. My uncle’s place has standing seam and you barely notice the rain unless it’s a real downpour. I’m in hail country too, and honestly, every roof gets beat up eventually. I’d probably still go metal if I had to redo mine - less hassle long-term, even if it gets a few dings. Shingles just never lasted for us, especially with the wind we get.

Metal’s a solid call in hail country - my own place has taken a few hits, but nothing that’s forced a replacement yet. I’ve seen asphalt shingles shredded after one bad storm, and patching those gets old fast. Only downside for me was the upfront cost, and yeah, the noise is something until you get used to it. If I had to do it again, I’d still go metal, but I’d spring for the thicker gauge panels this time around... those cheap ones dent if you look at them wrong.

I hear you on the noise - first hailstorm after my install, I thought the world was ending. But honestly, I’d take that over picking up shingle bits from the yard every spring. The upfront cost stings, but I figure it’s a trade-off for less hassle down the road. Curious if anyone’s tried stone-coated metal? I’ve seen a few around here and they look sharp, plus supposedly handle dents better... worth the extra cash, or just marketing?

- Totally get the sticker shock, but yeah, less hassle’s been worth it for me too.
- Looked at stone-coated metal when I was shopping. Seemed solid - neighbor’s held up after a nasty hailstorm, barely a dent.
- They’re quieter than straight metal, but still not shingle-silent.
- Price was a bit much for my budget, so I stuck with regular metal. No regrets, but if I had extra cash? Might’ve gone for it.
- Marketing hype? Maybe a little, but the durability seems legit from what I’ve seen around here.

Looked at stone-coated metal when I was shopping. Seemed solid - neighbor’s held up after a nasty hailstorm, barely a dent.

Yeah, that durability is what keeps pulling me back to stone-coated metal too. I get the price pain, but honestly, after watching asphalt shingles peel off my old roof every big wind, I’m over it. If I had to redo mine tomorrow, I’d probably go standing seam metal with a high-reflectance coating - better energy efficiency and still tough as nails in storms. Noise is real, but with decent insulation it’s not bad. Haven’t had any regrets since switching from shingles except maybe the upfront cost... but long run, it’s been worth it for me.

- Price tag on metal roofs still makes my wallet sweat, but I get the appeal.
- My neighbor did stone-coated metal - looks sharp, but he grumbled about the install cost for months.
- Asphalt’s cheaper up front, but after patching wind damage twice last year, I’m not sure it’s really saving me anything.
- Noise is a thing, especially in heavy rain. My cousin swears it’s “soothing,” but I’d call it more like living inside a drum set.
- If I had to pick tomorrow, I’d probably still lean toward architectural shingles just because of budget... but I’d be crossing my fingers every storm.
- Metal’s tempting, but man, that sticker shock is real.

I’m right there with you on the sticker shock for metal. Every time I see those “lifetime roof” ads, I get tempted, but then I remember what my neighbor paid and it’s like... yikes. He did standing seam, and while it looks awesome, he said the install was a whole ordeal - took longer than planned and cost more than the original quote. He’s happy now, but I don’t know if I could stomach that upfront hit.

My own roof is asphalt shingles, about 15 years old now. We’re in the Midwest, so we get those wild spring storms. Last year, I had to patch up after some shingles blew off - twice. Insurance covered part of it, but between the deductible and the hassle, it made me rethink whether “cheaper” really means cheaper in the long run. Still, when I got quotes for metal vs. architectural shingles, metal was almost double. That’s a tough pill to swallow when you’ve got other stuff on the house that needs attention too.

Noise-wise, I’ve heard both sides. My aunt has a metal roof and says she loves the sound of rain on it - calls it “nature’s white noise.” But honestly? I stayed over once during a thunderstorm and barely slept. Maybe you get used to it, but I’d probably be reaching for earplugs.

If I had to redo mine tomorrow, I’d probably stick with architectural shingles just because of budget. But every time there’s a wind advisory, I’m out there checking for loose tabs like a paranoid squirrel. Part of me wonders if saving up for metal would be smarter in the long run, but then life happens and that money goes somewhere else.

Has anyone tried those synthetic shingles or composite stuff? Curious if they’re any better on price or durability. The choices just keep multiplying...

That sticker shock is real. I remember when we first looked into metal, my wife nearly spit out her coffee at the quote. We’re in central Illinois, so I get the Midwest storm anxiety - every spring I’m up there with binoculars, half-expecting to see a shingle waving at me. Ours are architectural, about 18 years old now, and honestly, they’ve held up better than I expected, but the wind does a number on the ridge every couple years.

I’ve got a buddy who went with those synthetic slate shingles - DaVinci, I think? He swears by them. They look sharp, lighter than real slate, and supposedly last 40-50 years. But again, the price was closer to metal than asphalt. He said install was quick, though, and they’re supposed to handle hail better. I’m tempted, but it’s hard to justify unless you’re planning to stay put for decades.

Noise-wise, I’m with you. Metal sounds romantic until you’re trying to sleep through a hailstorm. I’d probably stick with architectural again just for the cost, but if money wasn’t a factor, I’d be curious about those composites. Too many choices, not enough budget... story of homeownership, right?

I get where you’re coming from on the noise with metal, but honestly, a lot of folks are surprised how much quieter it is these days if you’ve got solid decking and insulation underneath. It’s not like those old barn roofs. And yeah, the upfront cost is rough, but I’ve seen a lot of people in your area save on insurance and even energy bills over time. Not saying it’s for everyone, but sometimes the long-term math works out better than it looks at first glance. Those synthetic slates are nice, though - just haven’t seen as many around here to know how they hold up after a couple decades of Midwest weather.

I keep hearing about the newer metal roofs being quieter, but I still worry a bit about hail storms - we get some pretty wicked ones here and I’ve seen a few dented panels around town. My neighbor went with asphalt again just because it was way cheaper up front, but he’s already patching spots after five years. Has anyone actually had synthetic slate through a rough winter? Curious if it gets brittle or slippery with all the freeze-thaw cycles.

Has anyone actually had synthetic slate through a rough winter? Curious if it gets brittle or slippery with all the freeze-thaw cycles.

I put down synthetic slate (DaVinci, if you’re curious) about six years ago after my old asphalt shingles started curling and leaking. We get brutal winters here - lots of ice, snow, and those annoying freeze-thaw swings. Honestly, I haven’t seen any brittleness or cracking so far. The stuff’s way lighter than real slate, but it’s held up better than I expected. It does get a bit slick when there’s ice on it, but then again, so did my old shingles.

One thing I noticed: snow tends to slide off faster than with asphalt, which is mostly good unless you’ve got shrubs right under the eaves. As for hail, we had a nasty storm last spring and my panels didn’t show any dents or marks - can’t say the same for my neighbor’s metal roof.

Upfront cost was higher than asphalt but less than real slate or standing seam metal. If I had to do it again tomorrow, I’d probably stick with synthetic just for the peace of mind and not having to patch things every few years.

I’ve been debating this exact thing since we moved in last year. Our roof’s still okay, but I’m always planning ahead. I keep hearing good things about synthetic slate, especially for harsh winters, but I’m a little wary of the upfront cost. Metal was tempting, but the noise during storms would drive me nuts, and it seems to dent pretty easily around here. Honestly, after reading your experience, synthetic slate’s moving up my list. The snow sliding off faster is actually a plus for us - less shoveling off the roof, hopefully.

Synthetic slate’s been on my radar for a while, too. I get the hesitation about the upfront cost - it’s definitely not cheap, especially compared to asphalt. But when I ran the numbers a couple years back, factoring in lifespan and maintenance, it started to make more sense. The stuff’s supposed to last 40-50 years, sometimes longer, and you don’t have to worry about the same kind of cracking or moss growth you get with real slate or even asphalt. I’ve seen a few houses in my area (northern New England, so we get plenty of snow and ice) that went with synthetic, and they seem to be holding up well after some brutal winters.

The snow sliding off is a double-edged sword, though. On one hand, yeah, less shoveling, which is a relief. On the other, you might want to budget for some decent snow guards, especially over walkways or driveways. I’ve seen a few close calls with big sheets of snow coming down all at once. Not fun if you’re standing underneath.

Metal was tempting for me too, but I had the same concerns about noise. My neighbor has a standing seam roof, and during hail or heavy rain, it’s like living inside a drum. He says you get used to it, but I’m not convinced. Plus, we get a lot of tree debris, and metal seems to show every dent and ding.

One thing I’d check with synthetic slate is the warranty and installer experience. Some brands have better track records than others, and installation seems to make a big difference in how well it holds up. I’ve heard stories of tiles blowing off in high winds if they’re not put on right.

If I had to redo my roof tomorrow, I’d probably lean toward synthetic slate too, unless the price was just way out of reach. It’s a big investment, but peace of mind counts for something - especially when you’re not up there patching leaks every spring. Still, I’d want to see a few more winters’ worth of real-world results before pulling the trigger.

I went with a green roof a few years back - sedum mats over a waterproof membrane. Not the cheapest route, but honestly, I love it. Keeps the house cooler in summer and I barely hear rain anymore. Maintenance is just pulling the odd weed. Only thing is, you need a solid structure underneath for the weight, especially with snow. If I had to do it again, I'd still go green, but maybe add a few more native plants for pollinators. Synthetic slate does look sharp though, and I get the appeal for low maintenance.

Only thing is, you need a solid structure underneath for the weight, especially with snow.

That’s the biggie, right there. I’ve seen a few folks underestimate the load - especially after a heavy winter - and it’s no joke. Still, I’m with you: green roofs are worth it for the comfort and insulation. I do think more native plants is a smart tweak, though. Synthetic slate’s nice and all, but it just doesn’t have the same character or environmental upside.

- Not sure I’d go green roof unless you’re ready for the extra upkeep.
- Heavy snow here too, and honestly, metal’s been the lowest hassle for me - no leaks, snow slides right off.
- Native plants are cool, but I’d rather not worry about roots messing with the membrane.
- Synthetic slate looks nice, but I just don’t trust it to last as long as real metal or tile.
- For me, less maintenance wins every time... especially in winter.

Metal’s been the clear winner for most of my clients in snow country, but I’ve seen a couple cases where poor installation led to ice damming - even with metal. One place had water dripping into the attic after a freak thaw, and it turned out the flashing was just slapped on. Anyone ever had issues with standing seam panels versus exposed fastener types? I’m always curious if the extra cost on the hidden fasteners is worth it long term...

I’ve put down both standing seam and exposed fastener panels, and honestly, I’ve seen headaches with each. Standing seam looks cleaner and yeah, the hidden fasteners mean less spots for water to sneak in - at least in theory. But if you get a rookie installer or someone rushing the job, it’s just as vulnerable. I helped on a barn last winter where the seams were perfect but the flashing was a total afterthought... surprise, ice dam city.

Exposed fasteners are cheaper, but those screws can back out or the gaskets can dry up after a few years, especially with all the freeze/thaw cycles. I’ve crawled around plenty of metal roofs tightening those things up. If you don’t mind a little maintenance every couple years, it’s not the end of the world, but most folks forget until there’s a drip in the kitchen.

If I had to pick for my own place up here? I’d probably shell out for standing seam, but only if I trusted the crew. Otherwise, I’d stick with exposed and just budget for a tune-up every now and then. No perfect answer - just depends how much you want to babysit your roof.

That’s pretty much my experience too. I’ve seen more storm damage on exposed fastener panels, but honestly, I’ve also seen standing seam jobs fail just because someone got lazy with the details - especially around chimneys and valleys. One thing I keep running into is folks skipping ice and water shield in the wrong spots, which turns even a fancy roof into a sieve when you get a big thaw after a snowstorm. Curious if you’ve ever tried any of those newer synthetic underlayments? I’m seeing more claims that they help with ice dam issues, but haven’t seen enough real-world results yet.

One thing I keep running into is folks skipping ice and water shield in the wrong spots, which turns even a fancy roof into a sieve when you get a big thaw after a snowstorm.

That hits close to home. Years ago, I helped a neighbor patch up his roof after a nasty ice dam incident. He’d paid for top-shelf standing seam, but the crew totally skimped on the ice and water shield around his dormers and valleys. First big melt, water found its way in and trashed his upstairs ceiling. It’s wild how much the details matter - flashy materials won’t save you if the prep is sloppy.

About those synthetic underlayments, I’ve actually tried them on my own place last fall. I went with one of the “breathable” types (can’t recall the brand offhand). The install was a breeze compared to old-school felt - lighter, lays flatter, and no tearing if you step wrong. We had a weird winter with a couple freeze-thaw cycles, and so far, zero leaks or weird drips inside. Can’t say for sure it’s all down to the underlayment, but I do think it helped, especially since my roof’s a low-ish pitch and prone to ice dams.

That said, I’m still not convinced synthetics are a magic bullet for ice damming. Good ventilation and making sure the shield goes where it should (eaves, valleys, penetrations) seems way more important. I’ve seen folks slap synthetic everywhere but skip the critical spots, and they end up with the same old problems.

If I had to redo my roof tomorrow, I’d probably stick with metal, but I’d be super picky about who installs it and make sure every vulnerable spot gets the right underlayment and flashing. Materials are only half the battle - attention to detail is what keeps the water out, at least in my neck of the woods.