That attic crawl sounds way too familiar... I was up there last fall after a windstorm, convinced I’d missed a leak somewhere. I’m curious about the metal roof thing too—does it really sound like a drum when it rains? My neighbor swears by his, but I’m not sure I could handle the noise. Did your insurance say why they wouldn’t cover more? I keep hearing mixed stories about what counts as “enough” damage for a payout.
- Metal roof noise—yeah, it’s a thing, but it’s not always like living inside a snare drum. Depends a lot on what’s underneath (insulation, attic space, etc). I’ve replaced a few where folks just couldn’t get used to the sound, but others say it’s “soothing.” I’d say if you’re sensitive to noise, ask to hear one in action during a good rain before you commit.
- Insurance… don’t get me started. Every adjuster seems to have their own definition of “enough” damage. I’ve seen hail take out half a roof and they’ll say, “Not significant.” Meanwhile, a neighbor with a few missing shingles gets a full payout. It’s all about what’s visible from the ground sometimes. Photos help, but it’s still a bit of a lottery.
- Cost after a storm? All over the place. For asphalt shingles, patch jobs can be $300-$1,000 if you’re lucky. Full replacements—$8k to $20k+ depending on size and material. Metal is pricier up front (sometimes double), but you might not have to mess with it again for decades. Labor costs shot up lately too, so that’s another factor.
- Had one customer with a 12-year-old shingle roof—insurance only covered “repair,” not replacement, because they said the rest was “functional.” We ended up patching three times in two years. Not ideal.
- If you’re in a windy area, metal does hold up better long-term, but make sure it’s installed right or you’ll get leaks around fasteners. Seen some DIY jobs where water just poured in after the first big storm.
- Bottom line: document everything, push back on insurance if you think they’re lowballing, and don’t assume metal is automatically noisier or better—it’s a trade-off like anything else.
Hope that helps… at least you’re not crawling around up there in August heat. That’s when the real fun starts.
Metal roofs might last longer, but I’m not convinced the noise is as minor as some folks make it out to be. Maybe it depends where you live, but I’ve been under a couple during hailstorms and honestly, it was LOUD—like, can’t-hear-the-TV loud. Insulation helps, sure, but it’s not magic. Also, about insurance, I’ve noticed they’ll nickel and dime you on “wear and tear” way more with metal, at least around here. Sometimes those patch jobs on shingles actually hold up better than you’d expect, too—my neighbor’s cheap fix is still going after three years.
- Gotta say, I’ve managed a few properties with metal roofs and the noise thing really does depend on the setup. If you’re in an older place with no attic or thin insulation, yeah, hail sounds like a drumline. But newer builds with proper spray foam or even just a thick batt layer? It’s honestly not much worse than heavy rain on shingles. Not silent, but not “can’t-hear-the-TV” bad either.
- On insurance, I hear you about the “wear and tear” headaches. Around here (Midwest), some carriers actually give a discount for metal because it’s less likely to get punctured by hail compared to asphalt. But they do get picky about cosmetic dings vs. real damage, which is frustrating.
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Sometimes those patch jobs on shingles actually hold up better than you’d expect, too—my neighbor’s cheap fix is still going after three years.
Seen this too—quick shingle patches can surprise you. But I’ve also had tenants call me after a windstorm because those same patches peeled right off. Seems like a coin toss depending on how exposed your roof is.
- Cost-wise, after a big storm, I’ve seen repairs range from $500 for minor shingle fixes up to $10k+ if decking gets soaked or there’s structural stuff. Metal usually means fewer repairs but higher upfront cost if you do need to replace panels.
- One thing that helped us: regular roof checks every spring/fall. Caught small leaks before they turned into ceiling stains or mold issues. Not glamorous but way cheaper than emergency repairs.
- If noise is a dealbreaker, maybe look at architectural shingles? They’re heavier and seem to stay put better in storms, plus quieter than metal during hail.
- Every region’s different though—what works in Texas might be overkill in Vermont. Just my two cents from juggling repairs over the years...
Metal usually means fewer repairs but higher upfront cost if you do need to replace panels.
That’s been my experience too. Folks get sticker shock at first, but after a couple Midwest hail seasons, they’re glad they went metal. Still, I’ve seen some shingle patches hang on way longer than I’d bet—sometimes you just get lucky with the wind direction. Regular checks really do save headaches down the line, even if it feels like overkill at the time.
