In my experience, if you’ve got underlying issues like rot, it doesn’t matter what roof you put on—it’s just going to mask the problem for a while. Fixing the bones first is always smart.
I totally get what you mean about “life happens and that upgrade never comes.” That was my parents’ story—patched the roof with cheap shingles, then a decade later, they were dealing with leaks again and had to start over. I went with metal when I built my place last year, even though it felt like a stretch. Haven’t regretted it yet, especially after that hailstorm last spring. The insurance discount was a nice surprise, too. If you’re planning to stay put, it’s worth thinking about.
Metal roofs are definitely a solid investment, especially with the weather getting weirder every year. Did you have to reinforce your framing for the metal? Sometimes folks overlook that part and end up with more trouble down the road. Also, curious—did you do standing seam or corrugated panels?
We went with standing seam, mostly for the cleaner look and fewer spots for leaks. Didn’t have to reinforce the framing, but our inspector double-checked everything since it’s an older house. Honestly, I was surprised how quiet it is during rain—thought it’d be way louder.
Standing seam’s a solid choice, especially for older homes. I’ve put a few on places where the original roof was pushing 80 years old, and honestly, I was expecting to have to beef up the rafters too, but it’s usually lighter than folks think. The noise thing gets me every time—people assume metal roofs are like living in a tin can, but with the right underlayment, it’s barely noticeable. Did you go with exposed or hidden fasteners? I’ve seen some leaks sneak in with the exposed ones over time, even if they look good at first.
I get where you’re coming from on the weight—metal’s definitely lighter than most folks expect. But I’ve got to push back a bit on the noise thing. Even with good underlayment, I still notice a difference when it rains hard. Maybe it’s just my old farmhouse, but there’s a certain “ping” that comes through, especially in the attic rooms. Not a dealbreaker, but it’s there.
About fasteners, I’m with you on hidden being the safer bet long-term.
Couldn’t agree more. Had a neighbor go with exposed fasteners because it was cheaper up front, and three years later he was chasing leaks around every season. Sometimes saving a little at install just means more headaches down the road.“I’ve seen some leaks sneak in with the exposed ones over time, even if they look good at first.”
Curious if anyone’s tried one of those newer composite shingles? I know they don’t have the same lifespan as metal, but for folks who hate the idea of any metal noise or want something that looks more traditional, they seem worth considering.
