I switched to a white EPDM membrane a few years ago after a nasty hailstorm shredded my old asphalt. Insurance was a headache—they wanted every receipt and spec sheet. The upfront cost was higher, but energy savings and fewer repairs have balanced it out. Fading’s still an issue, though, especially on the south slope.
- Insurance paperwork is a pain—totally agree there. Took me weeks to get everything together after my last storm.
- I went with regular asphalt again, mostly because of the upfront cost. Still kinda regret not looking into EPDM or metal, but I just wanted it done fast.
- Noticed energy bills creeping up in summer, so maybe the white membrane would’ve helped there.
- Fading’s a thing here too (Texas sun is brutal). Wonder if any coatings actually help, or if it’s just something you live with.
- Repairs and patching add up quick. My last fix was $1,200 just for a few blown-off shingles and some flashing. Not cheap, but better than a full tear-off.
Insurance paperwork is a nightmare, no doubt. I’ve had to chase down adjusters more than once just to get a straight answer. I stuck with asphalt too—mainly budget reasons—but sometimes I wonder if metal would’ve been worth the extra up front. The Texas sun eats through everything, though. I tried a reflective coating last year, but honestly, it didn’t make a huge difference in fading. My last repair was $900 for similar stuff, and that felt steep... but a full replacement would’ve been brutal. Sometimes it feels like you’re just patching things until the next storm rolls through.
Sometimes it feels like you’re just patching things until the next storm rolls through.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen a few folks around here switch to metal and swear it’s been worth the hassle and cost. I know the upfront price tag is rough, but after a couple of those $900 repairs, it starts to add up. Plus, metal seems to hold up better in the long run, especially with all the hail and sun we get in Texas.
That said, I’m not totally convinced reflective coatings are a waste. They don’t stop fading, but I’ve noticed less heat transfer in the attic after one client put it on. Maybe it’s more about keeping the house cooler than saving the shingles?
Insurance is a whole other headache, though. I’ve seen claims drag out for months, and sometimes the payout barely covers the basics. Makes you wonder if it’s even worth filing for the smaller stuff or just biting the bullet and paying out of pocket.
- Just went through my first big storm as a homeowner. Had to replace some shingles and fix a gutter—cost me about $1,200 total.
- Looked into metal roofing, but the price tag made me blink. Still, after this last round, I’m starting to see the appeal.
- Insurance barely covered half of what I needed. Not sure if it’s worth the hassle for small stuff either.
- Reflective coatings... I dunno. My neighbor swears by them for keeping his attic cooler, but I’m more worried about leaks than heat at this point.
- Honestly, I feel like my house is held together with caulk and crossed fingers right now.
