NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You’re spot on about the flashing—it’s often overlooked, but it’s really what keeps water out at those critical joints. I’ve seen plenty of roofs with expensive shingles fail early just because the flashing was poorly installed or skipped altogether. If you’re under a lot of trees, it’s also worth considering a gutter guard system to help with debris. Not the cheapest upfront, but it can save a lot of hassle (and water damage) down the line. Cutting corners on drainage or flashing is rarely worth it... I’ve had clients regret that decision more than once.
Cutting corners on drainage or flashing is rarely worth it... I’ve had clients regret that decision more than once.
Couldn’t agree more—flashing’s one of those things you only notice when it’s done wrong. I’d also add, if you’re dealing with an older roof, check the decking underneath for rot or soft spots before you start. Sometimes folks just slap new shingles on and ignore what’s under there. Curious—are you thinking about sticking with asphalt shingles, or looking at metal or something else? Each has its quirks, especially if you’ve got lots of trees overhead.
Honestly, I get wanting to save a buck, but every time I’ve tried to cut costs on stuff like flashing or proper underlayment, it’s bitten me later. Had a buddy who just patched over his old decking to save time—ended up with a saggy spot and had to redo the whole thing anyway. Not fun. If you’re on a budget, I’d still say don’t skimp on what’s under the shingles, even if it means sticking with asphalt for now. Metal’s cool but can get pricey fast, especially with tree branches dropping stuff all year.
REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF: IS METAL REALLY TOO MUCH?
I get where you’re coming from about not skimping on the stuff you don’t see—flashing, underlayment, all the bits that aren’t flashy but keep your roof from turning into a sieve. It’s true, cutting corners there usually ends up costing more down the road. But I’d actually push back a little on the metal roof point, especially if you’re thinking long-term.
Here’s how I’d approach it if budget’s tight but you want to avoid doing this whole song and dance again in 10-15 years:
1. Assess the real damage on your decking. Sometimes folks assume the whole thing’s shot when only certain boards are compromised. If you can, replace just what’s needed—no sense in tossing perfectly good lumber. I’ve seen people go overboard here and waste money.
2. Underlayment is non-negotiable, but there are grades. Synthetic underlayments can be pricier, but they last so much longer than felt. If you’re in a rainy or humid area, it’s worth the extra up front.
3. About metal being expensive—yeah, it can be, but there are entry-level standing seam options or even metal shingles that aren’t as bank-breaking as people think. Plus, if you factor in how long they last (and how much less maintenance they need), sometimes it balances out over time.
4. Tree branches are a pain for any roof material. Metal does dent, sure, but asphalt can get punctured or lose granules just as easily. If you’ve got big trees dropping stuff all year, maybe look at trimming them back rather than letting them dictate your whole roofing plan.
I went with a mid-range steel roof a few years ago after running numbers on total cost of ownership versus another round of architectural shingles. Haven’t regretted it yet—even with a couple of gnarly storms and the odd branch coming down. Just food for thought if you’re planning to stay put for a while.
Short version: Don’t skimp on what matters underneath, but don’t rule out metal just because of sticker shock upfront—it might save you hassle (and cash) down the line.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I hear you on the metal roof thing—my neighbor did one and yeah, it cost more up front, but he hasn’t touched it in years. I’m still patching shingles every spring. I’m not wild about the price tag either, but honestly, I’m tired of dealing with leaks and repairs. If I can swing it, I’d rather pay once and be done. Still, if the budget’s tight, I might just fix the decking and go with better underlayment and regular shingles for now. Metal’s tempting, though...
