"Curious if anyone's tried those impact-resistant shingles? Heard mixed reviews—worth the extra cost or just marketing hype?"
Installed impact-resistant shingles about five years ago after a nasty hailstorm tore through our neighborhood. Honestly, they've held up great so far—no leaks or visible damage yet. But, full disclosure, haven't faced another severe storm since then, so can't say for sure they're worth every penny. Still, peace of mind counts for something... beats worrying every time you hear thunder overhead.
Had a client who installed them a couple years back—looked great initially, but after one rough winter, we noticed some granule loss and minor cracking. They're decent, but don't assume they're bulletproof... regular checks still matter.
Interesting point about the granule loss—makes me wonder, was it just the harsh winter conditions or maybe installation quality playing a role too? I've seen similar shingles hold up surprisingly well when properly installed and vented. But yeah, totally agree they're not invincible... even green roofs (my personal favorite) need regular TLC. Did you notice if the cracking was mostly in shaded areas or spots prone to ice dams? Curious if there's a pattern there.
"Did you notice if the cracking was mostly in shaded areas or spots prone to ice dams?"
Funny you mention that—I just went through my first winter as a homeowner, and we had a similar issue. I noticed the shingles on the north side, where it's mostly shaded, definitely showed more wear and cracking. A roofer friend explained it step-by-step: less sunlight means moisture lingers longer, ice builds up easier, and shingles deteriorate faster. Might be worth checking your attic ventilation too... learned that one the hard way myself.
"Might be worth checking your attic ventilation too... learned that one the hard way myself."
Good point about attic ventilation. A few years back, I inspected a home where the owners had recurring shingle damage on shaded roof sections. Turned out their attic ventilation was inadequate, causing moisture buildup and ice dams during winter. Improving airflow with ridge vents and soffit openings really helped. It's surprising how often ventilation gets overlooked when diagnosing roof issues—definitely something to keep an eye on.
