Funny enough, I had the same debate with my spouse before we redid our roof—composite or stick with asphalt? Ended up going composite, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. The snow does come down in sheets now and then, but I’d rather shovel the driveway than climb up and clear the roof twice a week. Only hiccup was realizing halfway through that my rafter spacing was borderline for the extra weight... glad I checked before things got too far. If you’re up north, skipping on underlayment is just asking for trouble—learned that lesson the hard way back in ‘09.
- Weight’s a big deal with tile, for sure. Most older homes up north just aren’t built for it unless you reinforce the rafters.
- Tiles shed snow well, but if you get ice dams, they can crack. I’ve seen a few neighbors lose tiles after a rough freeze-thaw cycle.
- Underlayment is non-negotiable—totally agree there. Skipping it is just asking for leaks.
- Curious if anyone’s tried recycled rubber or “green” tiles? Supposed to be lighter and handle freeze cycles better, but I haven’t seen them in action yet.
- Looked into those recycled rubber tiles last year—was hoping for something lighter too, since my attic joists are old 2x6s and I’m not keen on beefing them up. Local supplier had samples, but they felt a bit “spongy” compared to real tile. Supposedly, they’re way less brittle in cold, though.
- My neighbor put them on his garage roof (not the house) and said snow slid off just like regular tile, but he hasn’t seen a bad ice dam yet. I’d be nervous about hail—wonder if rubber dents or just bounces back?
- Weight definitely matters up north. Friend of mine had to reinforce his rafters when he switched from asphalt to clay tile—cost him almost as much as the roof itself.
- Underlayment: 100% agree. I skipped the fancy stuff once (used basic felt) and got leaks after a freeze-thaw spring. Never again.
- Not totally sold on the “green” tiles yet, but if they hold up for a few more winters around here, I might try ‘em on my shed first... less risk if it goes sideways.
Supposedly, they’re way less brittle in cold, though.
That’s what I heard too, but I gotta wonder—if they’re “spongy” now, do they get even softer in the summer sun? Or do they just stay kinda weird all year? My uncle tried something similar on his chicken coop and said hail left little dimples, but nothing cracked. Not sure I’d risk it on the main house yet... anyone actually seen these tiles after a few winters?
I get the appeal of these newer tiles, especially if they’re supposed to handle cold better. But I’m with you—if they’re “spongy” in winter, what happens when it’s 90 degrees and blazing sun? I’ve seen some of those composite tiles up close (neighbor put them on his garage), and honestly, they felt a bit soft even in spring. He said they held up fine through one winter, but after last summer, there was some warping along the edges. Not a dealbreaker for a shed, but I’d be nervous about that on my main roof.
If you’re looking at this from a budget angle like me, here’s how I’d break it down:
1. Check the warranty—some of these products only cover “manufacturer defects,” not weather damage.
2. Ask around locally. What works in one state might flop in another.
3. If you can, get a sample and leave it outside for a season or two. See how it actually holds up.
I’m still leaning toward asphalt for now. Not perfect, but at least I know what to expect when the weather swings from -20 to 95...
