I hear you on the upfront cost—composite isn’t cheap. But after dealing with moss and cracked asphalt tabs every spring, I bit the bullet too. One thing I’d add: make sure your attic’s vented right. Even the best composite will curl if heat gets trapped up there. Learned that the hard way... had to redo some insulation and add a ridge vent before things settled down.
Even the best composite will curl if heat gets trapped up there. Learned that the hard way... had to redo some insulation and add a ridge vent before things settled down.
That’s a good reminder. I’ve seen folks spend big on premium shingles, then skip the attic details—ends up costing more in the long run. Proper ventilation’s not flashy, but it’s what keeps those fancy shingles from turning into potato chips. Ridge vents, soffit vents, even baffles if your insulation likes to wander... all of it matters.
On cost: yeah, composites sting at first, but if you’re in a damp climate or under heavy tree cover, they’re way less hassle than asphalt tabs. Moss just loves those old three-tabs—seen too many roofs where it’s basically a green shag carpet by year ten.
Still, I’ll admit, up here in the north where ice dams are a thing, I always push for ice & water shield under the first few feet, regardless of shingle type. Composite or asphalt, water finds a way if you give it a chance.
Proper ventilation’s not flashy, but it’s what keeps those fancy shingles from turning into potato chips.
Ain’t that the truth. I’ve seen more than a few “luxury” roofs go wavy just because someone thought attic airflow was optional. Around here (upper Midwest), I swear half the battle is just keeping the snow and ice from sneaking in under the shingles. I’m with you on the ice & water shield—learned that lesson after a January thaw turned my living room into a slip-n-slide.
I do wonder, though—has anyone had luck with those newer synthetic underlayments? I’ve always stuck with the old-school felt, but my neighbor swears by the synthetic stuff for keeping things dry. Not sure if it’s worth the extra bucks or just marketing hype.
Also, for folks with a lot of trees, how do you keep the moss at bay? I tried zinc strips once, but it felt like fighting a losing battle. Maybe it’s just part of life under the pines...
Ventilation’s one of those things folks don’t notice until it’s a problem—seen plenty of warped shingles and ice dams from poor airflow. On the underlayment, I’ve switched to synthetics for most jobs in the last few years. They’re lighter, lay flatter, and don’t wrinkle up like felt if they get damp. Price is higher, but I’ve found the labor savings and durability make up for it, especially on bigger roofs.
Moss under trees is a headache. Zinc strips help a bit, but if you’ve got heavy shade and lots of needles, it’s an uphill battle. I’ve had some luck with regular gentle cleaning—nothing too aggressive or you’ll wear down the shingles faster. Sometimes it just comes with the territory...
Moss under trees is a headache. Zinc strips help a bit, but if you’ve got heavy shade and lots of needles, it’s an uphill battle.
I hear you on the moss—my north-facing side is always green no matter what I try. I’m curious, though, for those using composite shingles: do they actually hold up better against moss and algae, or is that just marketing? I’ve only ever had asphalt, and they seem to get pretty grungy after a few years under the trees. Also, with synthetics for underlayment—do they make any difference in how the roof dries out after a rain, or is that just down to ventilation and sun exposure?
