NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
That “weathered wood” shingle story hits home—my neighbor’s roof looked totally different in the sunlight than it did in the brochure. I’ve always been drawn to real cedar for the character, but I keep hearing about maintenance headaches and fire risk. Synthetic seems lower maintenance, but does it really hold up over time? Anyone notice if it actually ages well, or does it start looking fake after a few years? I’m all for spending more upfront if it means less hassle down the road, but only if it’s worth it...
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
- Real cedar’s got that undeniable charm, but honestly, I’ve seen it go gray and split faster than you’d think—especially if you’re anywhere humid.
- Synthetics are getting better, but up close, some still look a bit too perfect…almost plastic-y after a few years.
- If you want something that ages with character but less hassle, have you looked at standing seam metal? Costs more upfront, but it weathers beautifully and basically lasts forever. Not everyone loves the look, but it’s worth considering if you’re after longevity and low maintenance.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Yeah, I totally get the appeal of cedar—there’s just something about that natural look, especially when it’s new. But you’re right, it doesn’t always hold up as well as people hope. My neighbor went with cedar a few years back and it looked amazing at first, but now it’s faded and there are a bunch of warped shingles. He’s in the southeast though, so humidity probably didn’t help.
Synthetics are interesting… I’ve seen some that fooled me from the street, but up close? Not quite the same vibe. I guess if you’re not super picky about texture, they’re a decent low-maintenance option.
Standing seam metal is kind of underrated, honestly. It’s got this modern edge, and I’ve seen some high-end homes pull it off really well. Plus, you basically never have to think about it again once it’s up. Only thing is, if you’re into that classic cottage-y look, it might feel a bit too sleek. But for longevity and peace of mind? Hard to beat.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I get the hype around standing seam metal, but honestly, it’s not always the silver bullet folks make it out to be. My cousin went that route and yeah, it’s sturdy, but the noise when it rains? Wild. Plus, if you ever need to fix anything (like a vent or skylight), it’s trickier than with shingles. For me, architectural asphalt shingles are still a solid middle ground—especially with some of the newer styles that mimic wood or slate. Not as flashy, but they hold up and blend in nicely with most homes.
“the noise when it rains? Wild. Plus, if you ever need to fix anything (like a vent or skylight), it’s trickier than with shingles.”
- Totally agree on the noise factor—my neighbor has metal and you can literally hear every raindrop. Not sure I’d get used to that.
- With architectural shingles, I’ve found there’s a ton of color and texture options now. Some even have better impact ratings than basic metal panels.
- One thing I’m still weighing: lifespan vs. cost. Metal lasts longer but the upfront is steep. Shingles are easier to repair if something goes wrong down the line.
- If your roofline’s got a lot of angles or features, shingles seem less hassle for flashing and details. Metal looks cool but feels like overkill unless you’re in hail country or just want that modern vibe.
