Totally agree metal roofs can look sharp, especially standing seam—I installed one about 5 years back and still get compliments. But don't underestimate composite entirely; high-quality architectural shingles can hold up pretty well if installed right. Still, for sustainability and lifespan, metal wins hands-down...just watch your budget, it creeps up fast.
"just watch your budget, it creeps up fast."
Haha, ain't that the truth... I've seen plenty of clients fall in love with standing seam until the estimates roll in. Architectural shingles can be a solid compromise—good durability without breaking the bank. Just make sure your installer knows their stuff.
Yeah, budgets have a sneaky way of ballooning once you start digging into options. I remember a client who was dead set on copper flashing... until the numbers came back. Ouch. But honestly, architectural shingles are pretty underrated—I've seen them hold up impressively well through some nasty storms. And you're spot-on about installers; even the best materials won't save you from sloppy workmanship. Good luck with the roof, sounds like you're on the right track already.
Had a similar experience recently—client wanted slate tiles, which look amazing but can really blow up the budget fast. We ended up going with architectural shingles too, and honestly, the result was surprisingly good. Key was making sure the underlayment and flashing were done meticulously. If you nail those details (pun intended), even mid-range materials can perform beautifully for decades. Sounds like you're already thinking along those lines, so you're probably in good shape.
Totally agree about the flashing and underlayment—those details really make or break a roof. When we replaced ours, I was tempted by metal roofing at first (love the look), but the price tag made me pause. Ended up going with architectural shingles too, and honestly, zero regrets. One thing I'd add: ventilation matters more than people realize. Proper attic airflow can seriously extend your roof's lifespan...and save you money on cooling bills down the road. Worth looking into if you're already redoing things anyway.
