So insurance adjuster seems to think we deserve a new roof. What is up there now is about 18 year old architectural style composition shingles. Options would seem to be to replace that with same.......OR.......have also heard it is possible to use existing roof as underlayment, then go over the top with a metal roof. Possibly even a raised rib metal roof. Existing is 6/12 pitch with multiple gables and valleys. Damage was from wind and hail (and sun).

Respect the opinion of guys here. What say you?

I would replace with a 30 year shingle.
And have the installer follow the instructions on the shingle wrapper
That's the only way the manufacturer will honor the warranty

Not many roofers even look at the shingle wrapper

We switched to metal, like it, except for bat entrances!

I wouldn't waste my time with shingles anymore. They aren't made the same, the tar strip is getting more and more "environmentally friendly" which is all well and good but being in Atlantic Canada surrounded by pounding winds and hurricanes etc. it produces some of, if not the best roofers in the country.

You CAN just go over the old shingled roof. They do it all the time here but it's not my preferred choice. I'd rather rip it up, inspect for damages, let it breathe a bit etc. That being said, it's also a second shield if for some reason the metal roof ever fails. Standing seam roof is great but expensive.

If you go metal, I go overkill even though the other roofers roll their eyes at me and strap with 2x4 instead of just 1x4. I also use either #10 screws or even GRK. I like to overkill for no reason. helps me sleep better.

Wetdog is right too though, most guys don't read the install instructions (that goes double for professional window and door companies, most are owned by guys who never installed windows, most do a garbage job without even realizing it) and it's very easy to install a non warranty roof. nailing a little high, a little low, angled slightly of a nail head etc that warranty is toast. most insurance places will look for the smallest things to ditch a homeowner on. I think the "warranty catch" with metal roofing is you have to do a 1/4" turn of each screw head per year, which is ridiculous since you aren't supposed to walk on it.

So depending on your ethics for the metal roof warranty, you could keep a "home maintenance log" of all your annual house chores. I.E: cleaning vents, replacing filters, pumping septic, lubicating windows and oh look! torqing screws a 1/4" with a ratchet per year so as not to overdrive with an impact gun (ask me how I know) and if they ask how you did it, you have a friend that works at a lift rental place and he brings it over once a year, hence why you don't have a credit card statement to prove it, but your detailed journal (that you fill out once a year) will sure hold up in court believe me

How long will you live ?

Exactly. Steel isn't cheap but can last a long time. If it were me I'd do whatever cost me the least.

It wouldn't matter if they did, most of them can't read English anyways.

we have a Mennonite family that does metal roofing here , they go over the old roof but use 2x4 and 5 inch ring shank nails and make sure to get them into the trusses
the goal is 2 crossing 5 inch ring shank nails every time a 2x4 crosses a truss so they are like double staking a trap.

not tearing off was a significant cost savings

Does standing seam eliminate the exposed screws and need to tighten? I've seen at least two older metal roofs, the rubber grommets on the nails and screws are gone. Roof leaking. One like a sieve.

As for roof warranty, how would one even collect? We did not built house, have no clue who installed roof or what brand is even up there. Insurance Co didn't even mention roof warranty. If it had a 30 year warranty, it didn't seem like it would matter........or fall back on whoever made the shingles. It's considered damaged and they are paying to replace.

I replaced the roof on my house with standing seam metal roof. Half the roof I relaced the sheeting so tore off the old asphalt shingles. The other half because I didn't need to, I left the old shingles on and used them as underlayment. I would not recommend leaving the old shingles on as underlayment. It is difficult to get the metal roofing in place on the old shingles without scratching the paint on the metal. Not much savings and makes things harder. If you hire it done they probably don't care if they scratch it and they will
.

I did a fifty year architectural shingle. It will last the rest of my life. When my insurance co. saw the shingles they raised my rate because of the cost of the shingles should they need to replace them. I told them the high quality shingles should reduce the potential for a claim and they should charge me less, they didn’t agree.

Waiting on a metal roof now to be put on needed one side re-raftered on one side, it has low spot in one place just will get it all done at the same time.

I am an ex roofer. I did not go with metal because when i am older I knew I would not be able to get on a metal roof to clean it or the chimney.
18 year out of a 30+ shingle sounds like a ventilation problem to me

Leftlane is spot on....pole barn ag steel is for pole barns, not houses

So according to adjuster, flaw with current 18 year old shingles is a lot of grit is gone......glue holding them down is failing........some torn up......tabs missing. Roof has mushroom caps at about 8 foot intervals at peak, plus each gable has a ventilation triangle, and soffits are vented metal. Again, steep pitch.

So are there any brands of shingles better than others.......or brands to avoid?

Our main risk is hail (most roofs eventually get replaced from hail damage) and since we are on an exposed ridge, high, straight line winds. Not uncommon to get 60 to 80 mph wind gusts in summer storms.

Nailing above the line on architectural shingles is also the reason tab's blow off
That line is there for a reason, and most roofers just want to get it covered and get paid

Roof in question. Color, gable vents and mushroom vents. Gable overhang soffit not vented but soffit under gutters is.

So, based on comments here, will likely go back with something similar. Not a fan of half measures, but a 30 year roof would outlast me by a mile.

Again, any brands better than others?