I get where you’re coming from on the landfill issue. I’ve seen plenty of tear-offs where the amount of asphalt waste is just staggering, especially after a bad hail season. That said, composite shingles aren’t immune to patch jobs either—color matching can be a real headache, and some brands fade unevenly over time. From what I’ve seen, both options have their trade-offs. If you’re in an area with frequent storms, sometimes the “easy to patch” argument does hold up, but it’s not always the most sustainable route.
That color matching thing with composite shingles is real—I had to replace a few after a windstorm, and even though they were the same brand, the new ones stuck out like a sore thumb. I also noticed the older ones faded way faster than I expected. On the other hand, asphalt’s easier to patch, but I’m not thrilled about how much ends up in the landfill. For me, it came down to what was available locally and what my insurance would cover after hail damage. Not a perfect system, but it worked for now.
Color matching with shingles is like trying to match socks from the laundry—never quite works out, does it? Even with the same brand, batches can be off, and sun exposure just speeds up the fading. You’re right about asphalt being easier to patch, but yeah, the landfill thing bugs a lot of folks. Insurance dictating your options is pretty common, especially after hail. Honestly, you did what most people do—work with what you’ve got and hope the next storm takes pity on you.
I get what you’re saying about color matching—my patch jobs always end up looking like a checkerboard, especially after a few summers. But I’m not convinced composite is all that much better for the average homeowner, at least from a cost angle. Here’s how I see it:
Step one, price out both options. Composite shingles look great and they’re supposed to last longer, but when I got quotes last year, the upfront cost was almost double compared to basic asphalt. Maybe prices have changed, but for me, that was a dealbreaker.
Next, think about repairs. Asphalt might not match perfectly when you patch it, but at least you can buy a bundle and slap them on yourself if you’re even a little handy. With composite, it’s not just the color—you’ve got to find the same style and thickness or it sticks out like a sore thumb. Plus, not every roofer around here keeps composite in stock.
About the landfill issue—I hear you. It bugs me too. But around here (Midwest), some places actually recycle old asphalt shingles into road material. Not perfect, but better than nothing.
Insurance is another headache. Mine basically said “asphalt or nothing” after hail damage last spring. Composite wasn’t even on the table unless I wanted to pay the difference out of pocket.
I’m not saying composite is bad—if you’ve got the budget and plan to stay put for 30+ years, maybe it pays off in the long run. But if you’re like me and watching every dollar, asphalt still makes sense. Just my two cents from someone who’s patched more roofs than I care to admit...
I hear you on the cost—composite can make your wallet cry at first. But I’ve seen a lot of asphalt roofs that look like a patchwork quilt after a few Midwest hailstorms, and sometimes those “cheap” repairs add up faster than folks expect. Plus, composite holds up better to wind and sun in my neck of the woods. Not saying it’s perfect, but sometimes the long game sneaks up on you… especially if you’re not planning to move anytime soon.
