Missouri Roofing Contractor's Shingle Recommendation

Homeowner roofing with snow and ice

When it comes time to preparing bids, I really like a homeowner that wants to make the best decision, not just the cheapest roof they need for their house.  A homeowner that is planning on living in that house for the foreseeable future, and not just dressing it up to sell, flip, or other short-term gain.  These are homeowners that understand that short term cost decisions have long-term ramifications; and that saving money today may well not be saving money in the long run.

And the most common question, should I upgrade my shingles to 50-year shingles (depending on manufacturer, these might be called 50-year, plus, premium, lifetime, or perhaps other marketing terms)?  When they are looking at a baseline of Architectural shingles, we tend to think in terms of 30-year life.  They understand that a good roof is expensive, so why not pay a little more now for upgraded materials if it means longer life, no hassle in the future (do you plan to be alive in 50 years?), and understanding that the cost of the roof is more than just the cost of the materials as it includes labor, equipment, trucks for my crew, insurance for my workers, etc.

While I am typically criticized for my answer, most people are surprised when I recommend not upgrading from a 30-year architectural shingle. As a reputable Lees Summit roofing contractor, I want to make sure I'm doing the best I can for my customers.  Sure, those upgraded shingles do look nicer, and if you were to see two houses, side-by-side, you could probably pick out the homeowner that spent a bit and cared enough to upgrade.

I base my recommendation on a couple of factors, and I will prepare subsequent blogs to provide more information.  Here in tornado, hail, ice and snow, and high summer UV country in the Midwest, we will never get 30 years out of a 30-year shingle.  Longer life shingles haven’t really been tested in the real world.  A new roof qualifies for a significant insurance discount (check with your agent).  And if you are going to invest in your house (a new roof is a significant investment, your house is likely your largest single investment) you want to be assured of payback on that investment.

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