NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
Couldn’t agree more about the prep work. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on top-tier shingles, but if the flashing or ice shield isn’t done right, it’s just money down the drain. Had to redo a section of my own roof last year because I tried to cut corners on the underlayment... never again. It’s not the most exciting part, but it really does make all the difference. Stick with solid prep and you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen so many roofs where people splurged on the “best” shingles, but then the valleys or flashing were a mess underneath. Had a client once who insisted on saving money by skipping the ice and water shield—fast forward two winters, and we were tearing up half the roof to fix leaks. It’s not glamorous, but honestly, the stuff you don’t see is what keeps your house dry. Shingles are just the icing... it’s the layers underneath that do all the heavy lifting.
Had a similar situation a few years back—thought I was being smart by picking mid-range shingles and skipping the fancy underlayment. Figured, hey, it’s just a little extra cost, right? Well, first big storm and water started seeping in around the chimney. Ended up spending way more fixing the mess than if I’d just done it right the first time. It’s wild how the stuff you never see ends up being the most important. Learned my lesson the hard way... sometimes saving a buck upfront just isn’t worth it.
Yeah, it’s wild how the hidden stuff—like underlayment or flashing—ends up being the hero when things get rough. I used to think, “If I can’t see it, does it really matter?” Turns out, yes... yes it does. Had a neighbor who splurged on these gorgeous slate tiles but skimped on the waterproofing underneath. Looked stunning for about six months until a crazy windstorm hit and water started finding its way in. The repairs were brutal (and not cheap).
Honestly, I get wanting to save where you can, but with roofs? That’s one spot where cutting corners seems to come back and bite you every time. If anything, I’d argue go for the best underlayment you can swing and then pick mid-range shingles if budget’s tight. You’ll never regret having a dry attic—even if nobody ever sees what’s keeping it that way.
Funny how sometimes the “boring” stuff ends up being what saves your bacon...
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I hear you on the underlayment being crucial, but I’ve actually seen a few cases where folks went all-in on the “best” underlayment and then picked super cheap shingles, thinking it’d balance out. Thing is, if you live somewhere with a lot of sun or wild temperature swings, those budget shingles can start curling or cracking way sooner than you’d expect. Ever notice how some roofs look rough after just a few years? Sometimes it’s not just what’s underneath—what’s on top matters too, especially for curb appeal and longevity. Maybe there’s a sweet spot where you don’t have to go top-shelf on everything, but I’d be careful not to go too low on the visible stuff either...