“No amount of fancy insulation will help if water’s sneaking in around the chimney or skylights.”
That part really hits home. I’m in the middle of my first major roof project and honestly, leaks have been my biggest worry. I almost got sucked into the “more insulation is always better” mindset, but after talking to a few contractors, it sounds like getting the basics right—underlayment, flashing, and ventilation—matters way more than stacking up layers of expensive material.
I did a single-batten with rigid foam and fiberglass combo, mostly because mineral wool was out of my budget. Haven’t noticed any noise issues, but I’m not near an airport or anything. The one thing I wish I’d done differently: paid more attention to vent placement. My attic temp swings a lot more than I expected, so I might need to add another soffit vent.
Totally agree about planning ahead for solar or skylights. My neighbor had to rip up half his new roof just to add panels... not fun. Dry beats fancy for sure, but “future-proof” is a close second for me.
Getting the basics right really does make all the difference. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on high-end insulation, only to end up with water stains because they skimped on flashing or didn’t seal around penetrations. Vent placement is one of those things that’s easy to overlook until you’re living with the consequences—been there myself. If you ever do add more soffit vents, just double-check your intake vs exhaust balance; too much of one can actually make things worse. Planning for future upgrades is smart, but I’d still put “dry” at the top of the list every time... nothing ruins a roof faster than moisture sneaking in where it shouldn’t.
Funny you mention vent placement—I once worked on a 1920s bungalow where someone had decided more was always better. They’d added so many roof vents over the years it looked like a submarine up there, but the attic was still musty and damp. Turned out, they’d totally ignored the intake side, so the exhaust vents were basically just letting conditioned air escape instead of pulling in fresh air from the soffits. It’s wild how easy it is to get that balance wrong.
I’ve also seen some folks get a little too focused on the latest “miracle” underlayments or high-end shingles, thinking they’ll solve every problem. But if you’ve got a single spot where flashing’s not tight, or a plumbing vent that’s not sealed right, all that fancy stuff doesn’t matter much. Water finds the tiniest gaps, and once it’s in, you’re chasing rot for years.
One thing I always wonder—why do so many contractors gloss over the details around chimneys and skylights? Maybe it’s just not as flashy as new shingles, but those spots are where I see the most leaks start. I’ve started asking roofers to walk me through exactly how they’re handling penetrations and transitions before I sign off on anything. Sometimes they look at me like I’m being fussy, but I’d rather be the picky one than end up with a soggy ceiling.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with those newer self-sealing flashing tapes? I keep hearing mixed reviews. Part of me still trusts old-fashioned metal flashing and a good bead of sealant, but maybe I’m just stuck in my ways.
Anyway, couldn’t agree more—keep it dry first, then worry about fancy upgrades. A dry roof is a happy roof, no matter how basic the materials.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You’re spot on about the details making or breaking a roof. I’ve seen way too many “premium” roofs fail because someone got lazy with the flashing or didn’t bother to check the venting math. It’s wild how often people overlook intake vents—like, you can have all the fancy ridge vents in the world, but if there’s nowhere for air to come in, it’s just wasted money and energy.
I get what you mean about self-sealing tapes. They sound great in theory, but I’ve seen them peel or lose adhesion after a couple of freeze-thaw cycles. Maybe they’re getting better, but I still lean toward good metal flashing and careful install. There’s something to be said for methods that have stood the test of time.
And yeah, asking roofers to walk you through their plan isn’t being fussy—it’s just smart. Too many folks get dazzled by shingle samples and forget that water doesn’t care how pretty your roof looks. If you’re not picky now, you’ll be paying for it later... usually with moldy insulation and a headache.
Keep pushing for those details. It really does make all the difference.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
- Went through this last year—thought picking “the best” shingles was the big deal, but it was all the little stuff that mattered.
- My old roof had zero intake vents. House always felt stuffy, and the attic was a sauna. New roof, proper venting? Huge difference.
- Flashing is where my last contractor cut corners. Had leaks around the chimney within two years. This time, I asked to see every step and made them redo some spots. Worth it.
- Self-sealing tape... mixed feelings. Used it on a shed and it’s already curling up after one winter. Wouldn’t trust it for the main house.
- Don’t let anyone rush you through the details. It’s your money and your headaches if they mess up.
