Yeah, totally agree with the insulation and ventilation points. I've seen plenty of roofs that looked amazing but didn't do squat for comfort or energy bills. One thing to add though—don't completely dismiss the roofing materials themselves. Some shingles hold up way better in storms or hail, and that can save you headaches down the road. But yeah, if your attic's a sauna, fancy shingles alone won't fix it... gotta have airflow.
Good points on ventilation, but I'd argue roofing materials can do more than just weather storms. I've seen reflective shingles drop attic temps noticeably—made a real difference in summer comfort and energy bills. Not a magic fix, sure, but worth considering alongside airflow improvements.
Reflective shingles definitely help, but have you considered insulation upgrades instead? I found that beefing up attic insulation made a bigger difference for me than changing roofing materials. Reflective shingles might lower attic temps, sure, but insulation keeps the heat from getting into your living space in the first place. Might be worth comparing costs and benefits before committing to pricier roofing options...
"Reflective shingles might lower attic temps, sure, but insulation keeps the heat from getting into your living space in the first place."
Good point about insulation—I upgraded mine a couple years ago and it definitely made summers more bearable. But one thing to consider is storm resistance. Reflective shingles can sometimes come with better wind or impact ratings, which could save headaches if you're in an area prone to storms. Have you looked into how different roofing materials hold up against severe weather? Might be another factor worth weighing before you pull the trigger...
Reflective shingles definitely have their perks, but honestly, I think the storm resistance angle might be a bit overstated here. Most reflective shingles I've seen are just standard asphalt shingles with a reflective granule coating—doesn't necessarily mean they're tougher against hail or wind. Sure, some premium options come with better impact ratings, but that's not unique to reflective types. You can find non-reflective shingles with just as good (or better) storm resistance if you look into architectural or high-impact rated varieties.
A couple years ago my brother splurged on those Class 4 impact-rated architectural shingles (non-reflective), and they held up incredibly well during a nasty hailstorm we had last spring—houses around him were dealing with roof replacements, while he got off scot-free. So, if storm resilience is really your priority, I'd suggest focusing specifically on impact ratings rather than reflectivity alone.
Also, reflective shingles are great for reducing attic temps, but I've found that proper attic ventilation is equally critical in keeping the heat out of your living spaces. Even the best insulation won't perform optimally if hot air gets trapped up there. When we installed ridge vents along with soffit vents at my place, it made a noticeable difference—my AC didn't run nearly as much during peak summer months.
Bottom line: reflective shingles can be beneficial in terms of energy savings and reducing attic heat, but if you're mainly worried about storms or durability, there might be better ways to spend your roofing budget...
