- Good points about the upfront costs stacking up—snow guards and insulation definitely add to the bill.
- Architectural shingles can be surprisingly durable if installed right, so you probably made a solid choice for your budget.
- Curious though...have you noticed much difference in attic temps or energy bills since the new shingles went on?
- Either way, sounds like you did your homework and thought it through. Always smart to weigh out long-term plans vs. immediate costs.
- Good call on architectural shingles—had mine about 3 yrs now, no issues yet.
- Didn't notice huge savings on energy bills, but attic temps def dropped a bit in summer.
- Curious if anyone's tried pairing shingles with reflective barriers underneath...heard mixed things about cost vs. benefit there.
I've helped install reflective barriers a few times, and honestly, the results were kinda mixed. Some homeowners swore by them, others barely noticed a difference. I think it depends a lot on your attic ventilation and insulation setup. Have you checked how well your attic is ventilated? Might be worth looking into that first before dropping extra cash on barriers...
"I think it depends a lot on your attic ventilation and insulation setup."
Totally agree with this—ventilation is key. I'd suggest first checking how much insulation you actually have up there. When I beefed mine up, I noticed way more comfort than from reflective barriers alone...might save you some hassle and cash.
"When I beefed mine up, I noticed way more comfort than from reflective barriers alone..."
Yeah, insulation definitely helps with comfort, but don't underestimate the value of a solid roof upgrade. Had a client once who thought insulation alone would do the trick—then a nasty storm rolled through and tore off half his shingles. He ended up wishing he'd invested in better roofing materials from the start. Comfort's great, but durability matters too...especially if you're in an area prone to rough weather.
