Time for a new roof? Are you considering composite shingles for your roof replacement?
Composite shingles (mainly called synthetic) are growing in popularity all over the United States. They offer high curb appeal, a great lifespan, and other great things that other materials can't offer.
However, they aren't as well know as other roofing materials. So, composite shingles are still looked at with a raised eyebrow when a roofer mentions synthetic, rubber, or composite.
I want to change that.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has broken down everything homeowners need to know about different roofing materials so they feel confident in their decision. That's why I'll give you the advantages and disadvantages you need to know about composite shingles.
In this article, you'll learn:
Composite roof shingles are made of synthetic polymer or recycled materials, like rubber and plastic. They are specifically designed to look like natural cedar shake shingles and slate tiles.
Keep in mind that the exact make up of the shingles depends on the specific manufacturer. Our preferred brand, DaVinci Roofscapes, uses virgin resin to make their roof tiles instead of recycled materials.
However, even though they aren't made out of recycled materials, they are still 100% recyclable.
Composite shingles are a great roofing material choice for homeowners who don't want to worry about the issues of a natural roofing materials. However, they also plenty of pros that make them well worth the investment.
Pros of composite shingles are:
As you learned in the beginning, composite shingles are made from recycled materials (rubber and plastic) or a synthetic polymer. This makes them one of the most eco-friendly roofing materials available in the United States.
Depending on the manufacturer, some composite shingles can even be re-recycled after being thrown away. While this may not be important to you, the world is becoming more aware of our impact on the environment.
The roofing industry is simply responding by developing new roofing materials to become more environmentally conscious.
Composite shingles are designed to look like natural cedar shake and slate tiles, so they provide very high curb appeal to homes. The shingle manufacturers do such a great job of mimicking that most people can’t tell the difference from the ground.
DaVinci Roofscapes (the composite shingle brand we trust the most) does this by paying attention to the fine details. DaVinci slate shingles are modeled directly from real slate tiles and add a hand-crafted touch with chisel marks to make them look authentic.
DaVinci cedar shake shingles have real grain patterns and deep grooves to create a shingle that looks just like real wood or cedar shakes. Designing them this way ensures you won’t be able to tell the difference between composite shingles and the natural roofing material it mimics.
Natural cedar shake shingles show signs of wear and tear by rotting, cracking, and curling as they age. While composite shingles go through wear and tear like every roof, they won’t show it the way natural cedar shakes do.
This also means natural cedar shake shingles shift from a “fresh” cedar color to a more worn look as they age. The color change isn't a big deal, and some even like the worn/aged look.
You just won’t have to worry as much about the fresh color fading into a dried out look with composite shingles.
A natural slate roof is so heavy that your house has to be built or retro-framed to handle the weight. This significantly increases the cost of one of the most expensive roofs on the market.
Composite shingles are lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about the problems that come with a heavy slate roof. You won’t have to do anything to ensure your walls won’t fall in and have your roof cave in on you.
This still gives you the natural slate look you want with the added benefit of saving time and money.
Because of the way they’re manufactured, composite shingles are one of the most durable roofing materials against storm damage. F-wave and DaVinci shingles (two leading brands) have a Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating a roofing material can have.
This impact rating means they have been tested to withstand hail up to 2” in diameter without sustaining damage. Depending on the composite shingle, they can also handle 110-mph to 130-mph winds.
The durability of composite shingles to withstand storm damage is a huge pro, but it also means they have a great lifespan. As long as it's installed correctly, a composite shingle roof should last around 40-50 years.
Combined with their storm damage resistance, it’s one of the longest-lasting roofing materials on the market. However, a composite shingle will only reach its full potential if you hire a great roofer and invest in quality.
The pros of composite shingles may get you excited. However, the cons are what actually will help you determine if they're right for you.
The main cons of composite shingles are:
While composite shingles have been around for awhile, they are newer to the roofing industry. Because of this, there are still some unknowns about them.
But remember, manufacturers usually offer a limited lifetime warranty on composite shingles. They wouldn’t stand behind a product that doesn’t work, or they aren’t proud of.
While composite shingles haven’t been around as long as other types of roofing materials, they’re becoming more and more popular.
Like other premium roof materials, composite shingles are complex to install. They're installed one at a time, and have specific exposures that require attention to detail to look like right and perform well.
They also require open valleys because the shingles can't bend to close or fold like asphalt shingles. Keep in mind that complex installation also factors into composite shingles being newer to the industry.
Some roofers haven't installed them before, and it can be a big learning curve. That's why you must find a roofer with composite installation experience if you're seriously considering them.
The biggest con of composite shingles is that they're expensive. A composite shingle roof costs around $12.00 to $20.00+ per square foot, which is far above many budgets.
The shingles and other materials are expensive, but the labor costs are extremely high due to the complex installation I just mentioned. And if you add upgrades like a metal accent or copper flashing, it may even be higher than the price range.
Just keep in mind that the trade off is extremely high-curb appeal, long lifespan, and durability. However, most homeowners won't be able to afford a composite shingle roof.
After reading this article, you know the pros and cons of composite shingles. With this information, you should have a good idea if they're right for you.
Just consider your budget because a new roof using composite shingles get very expensive quickly. But as I said, most homeowners won't be able to afford this premium roofing material.
So, it's important to consider your other options. So, before making a final decision, I want you to have all the information you need to feel 100% confident.
Check out The Top 8 Roofing Materials to learn the pricing, lifespan, warranties, and the pros and cons of the most popular residential roofing materials.