That’s the thing—installation makes or breaks it, no matter what material you pick. I’ve seen “premium” roofs fail in five years because the crew cut corners, while some old-school asphalt jobs just keep ticking along. Composite shingles sound great on paper, but I’ve noticed they don’t always play nice with high winds or steeper roof pitches, especially if the install isn’t spot-on.
Honestly, I’m with you about the patching. If you’re up there every spring, that “green” roof isn’t saving much. I do appreciate the recycled content idea, but durability’s gotta come first, or else you’re just sending more stuff to the landfill sooner.
Around here (Midwest), hail and wind are the real tests. I’ve had better luck with heavier asphalt shingles—less likely to go airborne. Metal’s popular too, but it’s a whole different price range and not everyone likes the noise.
At the end of the day, I’d rather have a solid install and a slightly less trendy material than chase the latest eco fad and end up with a leaky living room.
I get where you’re coming from about installation being the big variable, but I’m not totally sold on heavier asphalt always being the safer bet for Midwest weather. Maybe it’s just my luck, but after that derecho a couple summers back, I saw plenty of “heavy” shingles curled up or missing entirely in my neighborhood. Meanwhile, a buddy down the street had composite shingles (I think they were DaVinci or something similar) and his roof barely lost a tab. Granted, he paid extra for a crew that specialized in composites, so maybe that’s the real difference.
The thing with composites is yeah, they can be finicky if you don’t follow the specs—especially on steep pitches or if you cheap out on fasteners. But when they’re done right, I’ve noticed they seem to handle hail better than standard asphalt. My insurance adjuster even mentioned some composites get better impact ratings, which can help with premiums. Not saying they’re perfect—definitely pricier upfront and not every brand is equal—but I wouldn’t write them off just because of a few bad installs.
As for patching, I hear you... nothing like climbing up there every spring to chase leaks. But honestly, my old three-tab asphalt roof needed more TLC than my neighbor’s composite ever has. Could be luck of the draw or maybe just better install crews these days? Hard to say.
Metal’s tempting too—I actually like the sound of rain on it—but between cost and dealing with snow slides off the roof, it’s not for me right now.
Bottom line for me: I’d rather pay more for a good install with materials that fit my climate than stick with what’s always been done around here. Trends come and go, but so do storms...
You nailed it about install quality making or breaking a roof, no matter the material. I’ve managed a few properties with both asphalt and composite, and honestly, the difference in performance usually came down to who did the work. Composite does seem to take hail better—at least, I’ve seen fewer insurance headaches after storms. The upfront cost stings, but if you’re not patching every year, it might even out over time. Midwest weather’s just brutal on roofs, so I get wanting to try something besides the “usual.”
Yeah, install quality is everything—seen too many “premium” roofs fail just because someone cut corners. Composite’s hail resistance is a big plus, but I do wonder about the environmental impact long-term. Anyone tried recycled-content shingles? Curious if they hold up in Midwest storms.
You’re spot on about install quality—honestly, I’ve seen “lifetime” shingles fail in under a decade just because the crew rushed or skipped steps. Even the best materials can’t make up for poor workmanship.
On the recycled-content shingles, I’ve inspected a handful of roofs using them around here (central Illinois). They seem to hold up decently against hail and wind, but I have noticed some brands get brittle faster than traditional composites, especially after a few freeze-thaw cycles. That said, the tech’s improving every year. Some newer lines blend recycled plastics with rubber, which seems to help with flexibility and impact resistance.
From an environmental standpoint, it’s encouraging to see more options that keep waste out of landfills. Still, I’d be cautious—ask for manufacturer hail ratings and check if local contractors have experience installing them. Midwest storms are no joke, and even the greenest shingle won’t matter much if it’s scattered across your yard after a July squall.
