Skip to main content

«  View All Posts

Composite Roof

How Much Does a Composite (Synthetic) Shingle Roof Replacement Cost?

November 15th, 2021 | 6 min. read

How Much Does a Composite (Synthetic) Shingle Roof Replacement Cost?

Print/Save as PDF

Pricing is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, considerations you take into account before a purchase. Whether it’s for clothing or a car, you look for the price tag. 

After all, you work hard for your money. So, of course, you want to know how much you’ll have to spend before making your decision. 

A composite shingle roof replacement is no different. Unfortunately, anything relating to cost is the hardest information to find about roofing.

But for over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has done things differently from the rest of the industry. That’s why we’ll be upfront and give you the cost of your future composite shingle roof replacement. 

To start this article, we’ll do a quick overview of what a composite shingle roof is to make sure you’re in the right place. After that, we’ll dive right into the cost of a composite shingle roof replacement and the factors that impact the price. 

To finish this article off, we’ll quickly cover how long a new composite shingle roof lasts, so you know the return you’ll get out of your investment. And at the very end, we give you a guide that every homeowner needs for a roof replacement. 

What is a composite (synthetic) shingle roof?

Before we get to how much it’ll cost, let’s quickly cover what a composite shingle roof is. Composite (aka synthetic) shingles are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof.

You’re probably wondering if the shingles really look like the real thing. But the manufacturers of composite shingles use molds of real slate tiles and cedar shakes to give them an authentic look. 

natural cedar shake shingles compared to composite cedar shake shingles(Cedar Shake)

You might be able to tell the difference between the synthetic shingles and the roofing material it mimics if you work in the roofing industry. However, I guarantee anyone walking by won’t be able to tell the difference from the ground. 

natural slate shingles compared to composite slate shingles(Slate)

Be aware; some homeowners confuse composite shingles with composition shingles. Just know composition shingles are just another roofing industry term for asphalt shingles. 

How much does a composite (synthetic) roof replacement cost?

While both composite cedar shake shingles and composite slate shingles are made of the same materials, they come in at different price points. The type you choose will ultimately determine the cost of your composite shingle roof replacement. 

Keep in mind; it’s impossible to give you an exact price due to all the factors that impact a roof’s cost. However, I can give you a price range that most homeowners can expect to pay for a composite shingle roof replacement.

how much does a composite (synthetic) cedar shake roof replacement cost

A composite cedar shake shingle roof replacement will cost around $14.00-$18.00 per square foot. 

how much does a composite (synthetic) slate roof replacement cost

On the other hand, a composite slate shingle roof replacement costs around $10.00 to $12.00 per square foot and has the potential to get up to $20.00 or more per square foot. Both a composite cedar shake roof and a composite slate roof will always be cheaper than the roofing material it mimics.

No matter what, a composite shingle roof replacement will be a sizable investment. If you’re looking for affordability, it’s probably not the right type of roofing material for you. 

What impacts the cost of your composite (synthetic) shingle roof replacement?

Like I said earlier, it’s impossible to give an exact price on your composite shingle roof replacement. While I gave you a price range above, where you fall in that price range depends on many factors. 

Below is a list of the factors that directly affect the price of your composite shingle roof replacement.

  • The type of roof you choose (composite shingles)
  • The rest of the roof system’s materials
  • Labor and time
  • Your roof’s accessibility
  • The number of roof penetrations
  • Your roof’s size and the complexity of it
  • The amount of decking that needs to be replaced
  • Dump fees
  • Operating costs of your roofing contractor

This is just a quick rundown of the different cost factors. For a deeper breakdown, check out the 9 factors that impact the cost of your new roof.

How long will your new composite (synthetic) shingle roof last? 

It’s great to know the cost of a composite shingle roof replacement and the factors that impact the cost. But before investing in a composite shingle roof replacement, you need to know the return you’ll get out of it. 

This return is the lifespan of your new composite shingle roof. As long as they're installed correctly, you can expect to get around 40-50 years of life out of composite shingles. 

This lifespan makes a composite shingle roof one of the longest-lasting roof options for homeowners. The reason for its durability and long lifespan comes down to its high impact rating. 

For example, DaVinci Roofscapes (the leading composite shingle brand) shingles have a Class 4 impact rating, which is the highest rating a roofing material can have. This means they stand up well to anything that hits your roof, including extreme weather, such as hail. 

You also don’t have to worry about them breaking like normal slate or cedar shakes when walking on them. If you’re looking for a long-lasting roof that stands up well to the elements, a composite roof is a great option.  

The guide you need for your upcoming roof replacement

Now you know how much a composite shingle roof replacement costs, what impacts the cost, and the return you get out of it. After reading this article, you should have a good idea if a composite shingle roof is right for your replacement. 

But what if it isn’t the right fit for you? Or what if you just want to learn more about the other roofing material options?

If you answered yes to one or even both of these questions, then we have the guide you and other homeowners need. The Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof includes all information you need for your roof replacement and helps you make all the right buying decisions. 

Go into the roof replacement process as informed as possible; get your free buyer’s guide below. 

Since 1990, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roofing services to residents in Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, and other surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. We’ve guided thousands of homeowners through the replacement process, and we know we can do the same for you. 

Here’s Your Complete Guide to Purchasing a Roof to learn what you need to know about your upcoming roof replacement and to make all the right decisions.

New call-to-action

Table Of Contents