Roofing, every brand reviewed seems terrible (Vancouver: house, unemployment, neighborhood) - Washington (WA) - City-Data Forum

Tac-Sea · 03-06-2016, 08:34 PM

I've obtained probably 5 quotes from companies. They either seem to use CertainTeed or IKO shingles, which are bottom of the barrel shingles according to reviews and have class action settlements. In fact the neighborhood my primary residence is in just got notices for those who have the shingles, and how to go about getting their roofs replaced for free or whatever.

So I got one company that said they use Pabco and Owens Corning. At first glance, on the "roofery" site, Owens Corning is listed as a top brand. Yet when I read reviews everywhere, it is one of the WORST shingles.

I'm not looking to spend double the amount on a metal roof, but at this point, I've lost faith in composition shingles, as I can't seem to find a brand that is decent.

Surely someone on here knows a brand that is reputable, roofers anyone?

Drew8888 · 03-07-2016, 07:21 PM

I had GAF Timberline 30 year shingles put on my house in 1991. They are holding up fine. The roofing company is long gone.

Hemlock140 · 03-07-2016, 09:09 PM

In our climate, if you intend to remain more than another 10 years, metal is a good investment. Comp roof shaded by the 80-100' fir trees will get severe moss growth, and cleaning it off shortens the life of the shingles. Cedar shakes have to be cleaned annually, at $400-600 or the needles pile up and cause rot. If you have no shade and no needles dropping then I would go with GAF, it gets good reviews, including the previous poster Drew8888. They also look good.

StealthRabbit · 03-07-2016, 10:44 PM

I've got 30 plus yrs on more than one Pabco Arch shingle roof.

Not that I consider them exceptionally good. I just got them at an exceptional price! <$50/sq!

The PNW is pretty EZ on roofs (as long as you are not sheltered in the woods / full of needles and moss.). I get weeks of freezing rain and 80 mph winds per year., never a leak (but I seal it well when installing and I 6 nail them instead of 4.

I typically only have to replace my roofs in the regions of USA with HUGE hailstorms.

MountainHi · 03-08-2016, 02:56 PM

There's a Canadian company or two out of Vancouver that does shingle roofs in the US. The Canadian product is superior, from what I've heard. They were the first to come up with flame-retardant or flame-proof shingles, I've been told. You might look into their pricing to see if it's competitive.

seagypsy59 · 03-09-2016, 01:12 AM

As far as I can tell, most of them have been sued. What I think is most important is to find the best installer. You could get the best quality materials -even metal, but a bad install makes the brand irrelevant.

Also, what type of warranty is the roofing company (installer) providing? That's what is also VERY important. I won't do business with a new company that has little to no track record. Companies that have been in business a long time could be problematic as well. Maybe Daddy turned the business over to the kids and they're running it into the ground.

Get some references from the companies that interest you. Look at their work and talk to people if you can.

As for materials, you've gotten some good advice above. I'm in the same place you are right now. I hope you find what you're looking for.

Tac-Sea · 06-02-2016, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seagypsy59

As far as I can tell, most of them have been sued. What I think is most important is to find the best installer. You could get the best quality materials -even metal, but a bad install makes the brand irrelevant.

Also, what type of warranty is the roofing company (installer) providing? That's what is also VERY important. I won't do business with a new company that has little to no track record. Companies that have been in business a long time could be problematic as well. Maybe Daddy turned the business over to the kids and they're running it into the ground.

Get some references from the companies that interest you. Look at their work and talk to people if you can.

As for materials, you've gotten some good advice above. I'm in the same place you are right now. I hope you find what you're looking for.

While I hear you on the installer, documented defective shingles that have almost unanimous 1 star reviews out of hundreds of reviews, many of which where the manufacturer lost a class action suit, don't do you any good with the worlds best installer.

Yeah, I've checked references and warranties, however; that's for the install, not for the roof's performance over several years. Most people jump online and say their new roof, car, or fridge is great, but those types of reviews are really not accurate representations of a product that can only be evaluated over a long period of time. Most of the people seem to have issues with all of the roof brands that are comp based within 5 years.

Case in point, I was recently looking to buy a new fridge to replace my existing one which is almost new and has a half a dozen issues going on with it. I read the reviews for the fridge online (it came with the house) while I was shopping for a new one and saw that the majority had the exact same issues as I am having with it. I read the reviews for LG, Whirlpool, Frigidaire, GE, Samsung, and each and every one of them had almost the exact same issues and complaints about the appliance breaking down within a few months and constant repair work on a low quality product. I've basically lost faith in companies, and I don't really want to throw away a nearly new 2.5K fridge and buy another one for 1-2K and have it have the same issues...Same thing with the roof.

Yakscsd · 06-02-2016, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tac-Sea

Most people jump online and say their new roof, car, or fridge is great, but those types of reviews are really not accurate representations of a product that can only be evaluated over a long period of time. Most of the people seem to have issues with all of the roof brands that are comp based within 5 years.

Perhaps, but an equal number probably get caught up in over analysis too.

I've replaced several roofs and never really worried about the brand. I have never had a leak or a system failure. I don't know the reasons for the recall/lawsuits, but I've never heard of a shingle failing. I've heard of a shingle resulting in a leak, but that's almost always an installation problem.

The problem I'm having is even getting a contractor out for a bid in any reasonable time frame. I realize its prime roofing season, but hire more people and make more money while you can.

Ultrarunner · 06-03-2016, 01:41 AM

Running new crews is always a crapshoot... and then there is the off season to deal with unemployment.

StealthRabbit · 06-03-2016, 01:46 AM

Most of my roofing crews have been on prison 'work release' programs, often the sheriff comes and exchanges prisoners for court hearing appointmemts. (These are the employees of my roofing contractors) keep your doors and windows locked up. Tools and compressors will disappear.

That is about the only time I pull the keys from my cars, as they will disappear FAST.