Peel-and-stick can surprise you sometimes—I remember a client who patched up his cabin roof with it, thinking it'd last maybe a season or two. Five years later, still dry as a bone inside. But honestly, that's more the exception than the rule. If you're already up there doing the work, might as well invest in something sturdier that'll give you peace of mind for years... metal flashing or proper shingles can really pay off in the long run.
I've had decent luck with peel-and-stick myself. Patched a shed roof a few years back thinking it'd just buy me time, but it's still holding up fine. Sure, metal or shingles are ideal, but sometimes budget-friendly fixes can surprise you...
I've had similar experiences with peel-and-stick. Patched up a porch roof about three years ago, figuring it'd last maybe a season or two at most. Surprisingly, it's still holding strong through storms and heavy snow. I agree metal or shingles would be ideal long-term, but sometimes these budget-friendly solutions really do outperform expectations. One thing I've noticed though—prep work makes a huge difference. Cleaning the surface thoroughly and making sure it's dry before applying seems to help it stick better and last longer. Also, overlapping the edges generously saved me from leaks down the line. Not saying it's perfect, but for a quick fix on a tight budget, it's definitely worth a shot.
I've had decent luck with peel-and-stick too, but honestly, I wouldn't trust it for more than a quick fix. You're spot-on about prep—clean surface, dry conditions, generous overlap—those are key. I'd add one more thing: use a roller or something similar to press it down firmly as you go. Helps avoid those sneaky air bubbles that turn into leaks later on. Still...for anything beyond a temporary patch, I'd bite the bullet and go shingles or metal. Saves headaches down the road.
You're definitely onto something with the roller tip—wish I'd thought of that last summer when I patched up my shed roof. Peel-and-stick got me through a rainy weekend, but honestly, it was touch-and-go. I did all the prep right (or so I thought), but a couple months later, there were those sneaky leaks again. Maybe I missed an air bubble or two, who knows.
Anyway, after that experience, I'm pretty skeptical about peel-and-stick as anything more than a band-aid solution. Sure, it's quick and easy, but roofs aren't exactly something you want to gamble on. Learned that the hard way when my "temporary" fix turned into a bigger headache down the line.
Ended up biting the bullet and going with shingles. Yeah, it cost more upfront and took a weekend of sweat and frustration, but now I sleep better knowing it's done right. Metal would've been great too—heard good things—but budget-wise, shingles made more sense for me.
Your advice about prep is spot-on though. Can't stress enough how important it is to get that surface clean and dry. Even the best materials won't stick properly if you rush that step. And overlapping generously? Absolutely critical. I've seen neighbors skimp on overlap to save a few bucks, and guess whose roofs leaked first?
Bottom line: your instincts are solid. Peel-and-stick can buy you some time, but if you're looking for peace of mind and long-term reliability, shingles or metal are the way to go. Trust me, your future self will thank you when you're not climbing back up there every few months to patch another leak...
