That’s exactly what worries me about these newer composite options—the install seems way less forgiving. I’ve patched up a couple old asphalt roofs myself and they’re still holding up after storms, but I wouldn’t trust myself to fix a composite one if something went wrong. Did you notice any difference in how noisy the composite roof is during rain or hail? I’ve heard mixed things, but haven’t tried it myself.
Did you notice any difference in how noisy the composite roof is during rain or hail? I’ve heard mixed things, but haven’t tried it myself.
That’s a fair concern. I’ve inspected a handful of homes with composite shingles, and honestly, the noise level seems to depend more on what’s underneath than the shingles themselves. If there’s solid decking and decent insulation, I haven’t noticed much difference compared to asphalt—maybe a little sharper sound during heavy hail, but nothing dramatic. On one job, though, the homeowner skipped attic insulation to save money and said the rain sounded like “a drumline on the roof.” Not sure if that was just his perception or a real issue.
You mentioned patching asphalt yourself—did you ever have trouble matching old shingles? Composite can be even trickier for repairs since color batches change fast. Curious if anyone’s had luck blending patches on composite roofs without it looking obvious...
Composite can be even trickier for repairs since color batches change fast. Curious if anyone’s had luck blending patches on composite roofs without it looking obvious...
Matching old composite is a pain, honestly. I’ve tried using leftover bundles from the original install, but even then, sun fading makes the patch stand out. One trick I’ve seen is to “borrow” a shingle or two from a less-visible area (like behind a chimney), then patch that spot with the new stuff—kind of a swap. Not perfect, but it helps. Has anyone else dealt with weird granule loss after patching? Sometimes the new shingles shed way more than the old ones for a while.
- Color matching’s always a headache. Even with “matching” bundles, UV does its thing and you end up with a patchwork quilt. That swap trick you mentioned is basically the only way I’ve found to make it less obvious—especially on older roofs.
- Granule loss? All the time. Newer shingles seem to shed like a golden retriever in summer, especially after the first hard rain. Usually settles down after a few weeks, but it does make you wonder if you got a bad batch or something.
- Honestly, between composite and regular asphalt, I trust either for basic weather, but composites seem pickier about repairs and fading. Asphalt’s easier to patch without it screaming “look at me!” from the street.
- Quick tip: If you do the shingle swap, just be careful not to mess up the underlayment or flashing around chimneys or valleys. Seen too many leaks show up months later because someone got a little too enthusiastic with the pry bar.
- At the end of the day, neither is perfect for repairs, but composite sure keeps you humble... especially when you’re trying to impress the neighbors with your “invisible” patch job.
Not sure I totally buy into the “asphalt’s easier to patch” argument. Maybe for a quick fix, but have you looked at how much waste those repairs create? Composite’s not perfect, but at least some brands are using recycled materials now. I’d rather deal with a tricky color match than keep tossing old shingles in the landfill every year. Just my two cents...
