quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:
Based on the replies, I have no idea what kind of quotes I'll get.

But I do now wonder about metal shingles vs tradition asphalt. I can reach all my gutters pretty easily except for in the back. I won't go that high on a ladder again, though I used to often.

I don’t know about metal shingles. The metal roofing that looks like barrel tile did not do well here during Hurricane Ian. Every home (at least a dozen) that had it lost a bunch of it. The newer shingles roofs fared better and the traditional metal panel, 5v and standing seam, were undamaged.

Do you need the skylights? You can always take them out if they are old. Just another area for a leak to occur.
Check code, but if you have gable vents there already you may not need ridge vent.

Just had mine done, I requested hand nailed roof (on shingles). They get going with pneumatic nailers and do not do it right. I picked the best shingles I could afford (this current roof lasted over 20 years and 3 hurricanes) so I should never have to do it again. I made sure that any bad decking was replaced too. 12k out of my pocket and 4k from insurance for a small, plain roof.

quote:

The roof pitch required the guys to be harnessed with safety lines. This was in a 140mph wind zone.

^^^^^^^^^
Wow. The Church across the street from my office had a similar slate roof which was severely damaged from a hurricane. Impressive roofers,and they provided a week of entertainment.

I drove by a couple times while they were up there and thanked God it wasn’t me. When we first bought the house, I tried to get on the roof and pretty much immediately determined continuing would be the dumbest thing I would have ever done.

Yep. I've been on "normal" roofs before, but my last house's 14/12 pitch roof was downright scary. Greater than 45 degree angle, plus lots of loose granules from damaged shingles. Nope, nope, nope.

I gladly paid that "steep roof upcharge" when it came time to hire roofers.

The crew used harnesses and anchors to do the roof replacement itself, but the lone guy who came back the last day to do some finishing touches just scooted across it using a foam pad and sneakers, with no other safety gear!