That’s pretty much where I’m at—my place is late 60s, and I keep wondering if the rafters can handle anything heavier than basic asphalt. I’ve read some composites are actually lighter, but then others are way heavier, so it seems like it really depends on the brand and style. Kind of a pain to sort through all the specs.
The shingle mess after storms is a real thing here too. I’ve patched up more than I care to admit, and honestly, it gets old fast. Composite is tempting for that reason alone, but I do worry about how it’ll look after a few brutal summers. Some of the newer roofs in my area seem to be holding up okay, but I’ve seen a couple that faded out pretty quick—maybe just a bad batch or cheaper material?
Noise-wise, I don’t mind rain, but hail is another story. My neighbor’s composite roof still sounds like someone’s throwing rocks at it when we get those big storms.
Upfront cost is my main hang-up too. If it really lasts longer with less hassle, maybe it’s worth it... but hard to know until you’re a few years in.
I keep wondering if the rafters can handle anything heavier than basic asphalt.
That’s a legit concern, especially with older houses. Some of those composites are actually lighter than three-tabs, but yeah, others are almost like slate weight-wise. Gotta check the specs for each brand—no shortcuts there.
I’ve noticed the fading too. Seems like the higher-end stuff holds color better, but it’s definitely not all created equal. As for hail, honestly, I think both types get loud. My uncle’s place has composite and it’s still like a drumline when it hails.
Cost-wise, I hear you. The “lifetime” claims always sound good, but until you see one last 30 years in your climate, it’s tough to trust the marketing.
Weight’s a biggie, especially if you’ve got rafters from the 50s or earlier. I’ve seen some composite brands that are surprisingly light, but others really do push the limits—almost like you’re putting on a faux slate. Did you ever have someone actually check your attic framing? Sometimes the “lifetime” stuff is just marketing, but I’ve seen a few composites hold up pretty well in hail-prone spots. Still, I’d want to see how it handles a couple decades of freeze-thaw before calling it a win. Not all fading is created equal either... some of those colors go weird after a few summers.
That’s a fair point about the freeze-thaw cycles—some of those composites look great out of the box, but I’ve seen them get brittle or start curling after a few rough winters. I’m curious if anyone’s actually done side-by-side installs and tracked color fading or surface wear over, say, 10-15 years? The manufacturer samples always look pristine, but real-world exposure is a whole different story. I’d also be interested in how the lighter composites affect attic temps compared to traditional asphalt—anyone notice a difference in summer heat gain?
I’ve wondered about the attic temp thing too, especially since we switched to a lighter composite a few years back. I can’t say I’ve noticed a huge difference in the upstairs rooms, but our attic fan doesn’t run quite as much in July now. Could just be coincidence, though. The color fading is another story—ours started out a nice pale gray, but after five summers, it’s definitely dulled out. Not terrible, but not what the sample looked like.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned much is how these composites handle moss and algae. Our old asphalt shingles would get those green streaks every spring, but the new stuff seems to stay cleaner. Maybe it’s the surface texture? I’m curious if anyone in wetter climates has had issues with that on composites. Does it actually stay cleaner long-term, or am I just lucky so far?
