Good points all around. I've done a fair bit of roofing work myself (mostly DIY repairs and helping friends), and here's my two cents:
- Solar shingles are definitely cool tech, but they're still pretty niche. That means fewer qualified installers and longer waits for parts—exactly what your neighbor experienced.
- Traditional asphalt shingles might not win any beauty contests, but they're reliable, easy to source, and straightforward to repair. Plus, you can usually patch them yourself if you're handy.
- If you're looking for something a bit nicer than standard asphalt without the headaches of solar shingles, consider architectural shingles or metal roofing. Architectural shingles look great, last longer than basic asphalt, and repairs are still pretty simple. Metal roofs are pricier upfront but super durable and low-maintenance—plus they shed snow like nobody's business (big plus if you're in a snowy area).
- One thing to keep in mind: whatever you choose, make sure it's something local roofers are familiar with. Nothing worse than having a fancy roof that no one nearby knows how to fix when things go sideways.
Personally, I'd wait a few more years before jumping into solar shingles. Let someone else be the guinea pig while they iron out the kinks...
Yeah, solar shingles sound awesome on paper, but I'm with you—still feels like early adopter territory. My buddy went for metal roofing last year, and while it wasn't cheap, he's pretty happy with it. Only downside he mentioned was the noise during heavy rain—kinda soothing or kinda annoying, depending on your mood, lol. Architectural shingles seem like a solid middle ground, though...good looks without the headache of fancy tech.
Totally agree on the solar shingles—cool idea, but I'd rather someone else be the guinea pig first, lol. Metal roofs are solid, though. I've managed properties with metal roofing, and tenants either love or hate the rain noise—no in-between. Architectural shingles are definitely underrated; they look great and hold up surprisingly well. Plus, repairs are way easier (and cheaper) than dealing with fancy tech or metal panels. Honestly, sometimes boring is better when it comes to roofs...less drama, more sleep.
- Good points all around, especially on the solar shingles. Seen a few installs after storms, and let's just say the tech isn't quite storm-tested yet...
- Metal roofs are tough, no doubt, but yeah—the noise factor is real. Had a homeowner once who loved it at first, then called me after a month begging for insulation tips.
- Architectural shingles might seem boring, but honestly, boring is good when you're dealing with storm damage. Easier fixes, less hassle with insurance claims, and fewer headaches overall.
- Bottom line: splurging a bit on quality shingles usually pays off. Fancy tech is tempting, but proven reliability wins every time.
Gotta agree on the solar shingles—seen a few shredded after a good hailstorm, and let's just say insurance adjusters aren't exactly thrilled sorting out that mess. Metal roofs can be great if you're cool with feeling like you're inside a drum solo during heavy rain (been there, done that). Honestly though, splurging on high-quality architectural shingles is usually worth it. Boring? Maybe. But boring beats scrambling for buckets at 2 AM every single time...
