Have you ever tried using any eco-friendly materials when patching or replacing? I’ve been curious if recycled shingles or even a green roof (with plants) would hold up better through the Midwest freeze/thaw.
I’ve seen a few homes try recycled shingles, but honestly, their performance in Midwest winters is still kind of hit-or-miss. The freeze/thaw cycles can be brutal on anything that isn’t super flexible. Green roofs are interesting, but I’d worry about extra weight and moisture issues unless the structure’s really built for it. Did you notice any ice damming before your last replacement? Sometimes that’s more about insulation than the roof itself.
I’ve looked into recycled shingles a bit, but I’m still on the fence. The idea’s great, but I’ve seen a neighbor’s roof with them and after two winters, some of the edges started curling up. Not sure if that was the brand or just the installer, but it made me a little wary. Midwest winters are no joke—one week it’s 50 and raining, next week it’s -10 and everything’s frozen solid. That kind of swing just beats up anything that isn’t really built for it.
Green roofs are cool in theory (pun intended), but I’d be nervous about the weight too. My house is older—built in the 60s—and I doubt the rafters were designed for a rooftop garden. Plus, I already have enough trouble keeping plants alive inside, let alone on top of my house. Moisture is another thing… I’ve seen some horror stories online about leaks and mold when the waterproofing fails.
Funny you mention ice dams. Before I replaced my roof, I had some pretty gnarly ones—icicles hanging down like a scene from a Christmas movie, except they were slowly destroying my gutters. Turned out my attic insulation was way under code and there were gaps around the vents. Once I beefed up the insulation and sealed things up, the ice damming mostly stopped, even before the new shingles went on.
I’m curious if anyone’s tried those synthetic underlayments instead of felt? Supposedly they’re better at keeping moisture out, but I haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Also, has anyone had luck with metal edging to help with ice damming? I see it on newer builds around here but not sure if it’s worth retrofitting.
Honestly, every winter I half-expect to find a new leak or shingle in my yard. Midwest roofs have to be tough—or at least easy to patch when they’re not.
I’ve actually worked with synthetic underlayment a couple times now, and honestly, I’m sold. It’s lighter, doesn’t wrinkle up like felt, and seems to hold up better when things get wet or icy. Metal edging is a mixed bag—helps with ice dams, but if your insulation and ventilation are dialed in, it’s not always necessary. Still, I’d rather have the extra layer of defense than deal with water sneaking in. Midwest winters just chew through anything less than bulletproof.
I hear you on the Midwest winters—last year, I had a patch of ice dam up right over my kitchen. Thought I was in the clear since I’d just redone the underlayment with synthetic, but turns out my attic insulation wasn’t as even as I thought. Ended up with a slow drip that took me ages to track down. Metal edging probably would’ve helped, but honestly, I’m not sure it would’ve solved everything.
I do like how much lighter and easier synthetic is to work with compared to felt. The old stuff used to tear if you looked at it wrong, especially when it got cold. Have you noticed any issues with slipperiness? First time I walked on synthetic, nearly went skating off the roof... Maybe that’s just me being clumsy.
Curious if you’re seeing more folks in your area switching over to synthetic or sticking with what they know? Around here, some of the old-timers still swear by felt, but after last winter’s storms, I’m seeing more people open to trying new stuff.
First time I walked on synthetic, nearly went skating off the roof...
Yeah, that slipperiness is no joke. I nearly lost my footing too—definitely not just you. I’ve started wearing those grippy shoe covers when I’m up there, makes a difference. Around here (central Illinois), I’m seeing more folks switch to synthetic, but like you said, some of the older guys still trust felt. Personally, I think synthetic holds up better in our freeze-thaw cycles, but it’s not a cure-all. Insulation and ventilation seem just as important, maybe more.
