the material itself just feels lighter than it used to. I’d take a properly installed old-school asphalt shingle over some of these new composites any day, even if it means giving up the fancy warranty.
You nailed it—literally and figuratively. I’ve seen “lifetime” shingles start curling after one hail season, while those ancient three-tabs just sit there like grumpy old men refusing to retire. Some of it is definitely rushed installs, but yeah, the new stuff feels like it’s on a diet. Makes you wonder if “lifetime” just means “until the next big storm.”
- Seen both sides of this. Managed a 12-unit building with original 90s asphalt shingles—those things outlasted two HVAC systems and a paint job. Only started seeing issues after 25 years, and even then, it was mostly flashing, not the shingles themselves.
- Replaced with “lifetime” composite (manufacturer’s pick, not mine). Lighter, easier for the crew to haul up, but I noticed more granule loss in the first year than I ever saw on the old roof. After our first windstorm, had to chase down a couple loose tabs. Not catastrophic, but still annoying.
- Warranty sounds great on paper. In reality? Try getting a claim approved when they blame “improper install” or “unusual weather.” Had one denied because the wind was “just over” their coverage limit. Go figure.
- Maintenance is different too. The old asphalt needed moss treatment every few years (Pacific Northwest problems), but at least you could walk on it without worrying about cracking or scuffing up the surface.
- Cost-wise, composites were supposed to save us money long-term, but factoring in repairs and hassle... jury’s still out for me.
- Not saying all new materials are bad—some of the higher-end composites seem tougher—but I’d take a well-installed classic shingle over a rushed composite job any day.
- One thing I do like: lighter weight means less stress on older framing. But if you’re in hail country or get big wind gusts, heavier might actually be better.
Just my two cents from juggling roofs for a couple decades. Every building’s different, but I definitely miss the days when “30-year shingle” actually meant something close to 30 years...
I get where you’re coming from—old-school asphalt definitely had its perks, especially if you lucked out with a solid batch and a careful install. But I’ve seen some of those “classic” shingles end up in the landfill way sooner than advertised, and that’s a headache for anyone thinking about long-term impact. Composites aren’t perfect (and yeah, the warranty runaround is real), but at least some of the newer ones are made from recycled materials and can be recycled again. Not saying they’re the holy grail, but if you care about what happens after tear-off, it’s something to weigh. Still, nothing beats a roof that just quietly does its job for decades...
- Totally agree on the landfill issue—old asphalt doesn’t always last as long as folks hope, and disposal’s a pain.
- Composites are getting better, but I’ve had mixed results with warranties actually being honored. It’s hit or miss.
- One thing I’ve noticed: composites handle hail better in my area (Midwest), but they can get slick in winter.
- If you’re managing multiple properties, the install crew makes a huge difference—bad install = headaches, no matter what shingle.
- For long-term maintenance, I lean composite lately, just for the recycling angle and less frequent repairs... but nothing’s perfect.
I hear you on the install crew—learned that the hard way when a rushed job left me patching leaks after the first storm. I do like composites for the lower upkeep, but man, the upfront cost stings. Midwest winters make everything slippery, though, not just the shingles... I just keep a roof rake handy and cross my fingers.
