Funny timing, I was just up in an attic yesterday and the homeowner had composite shingles—looked great from the outside, but you could still hear a good rainstorm drumming away. Not as loud as metal, though. I’ve seen those recycled rubber roofs too, and honestly, they’re pretty convincing if you want that slate look without the weight (or the price tag). One client had them for about 12 years now, and aside from a stray branch or two, barely a scratch.
Asphalt’s what I see most often around here, but you’re right about the landfill issue. I’ve hauled more than my share of crumbly old shingles to the dump. Composite and rubber both seem to hold up better in our freeze-thaw cycles—less curling and cracking. Metal is solid but yeah, snow guards are a must unless you like surprise avalanches off your roof mid-February. Had one take out a grill once... lesson learned.
Gutter guards—I swear they’re either saving your Saturday or making you curse every maple tree in town. Sometimes both in the same season.
I keep looking at composite because my wallet cries every time I see the price of a new roof, but I also don’t want to be back up there in 10 years patching leaks. Asphalt’s cheap and everywhere, but I swear half the houses on my street have those little bald spots after a windy winter. Anyone actually saved money long-term with composite, or is it just wishful thinking? And does it really stay quieter than metal when it rains, or am I still going to need earplugs during a storm?
I went composite about 8 years ago after getting tired of patching up asphalt every couple winters. Upfront cost stung, but honestly, I haven’t had to touch it since—no missing shingles, no leaks, and it still looks new. As for noise, it’s way quieter than metal during storms. I barely notice the rain now unless it’s a real downpour. If you’re planning to stay put for a while, composite’s been worth it for me, especially with all the wind we get here.
Upfront cost stung, but honestly, I haven’t had to touch it since—no missing shingles, no leaks, and it still looks new.
That’s been my experience too, though I’ll admit I hesitated at first because of the price tag. I did a side-by-side on my garage (asphalt) and house (composite) about 6 years ago. The asphalt side’s already showing curling and granule loss, while the composite still looks sharp. I will say, if you’re not planning to stay long-term, the ROI might not be there. But for anyone dealing with high winds or big temp swings, composite’s just less hassle in the long run.
I’ve put both on jobs over the years, and honestly, composite holds up better where we get those wild spring windstorms. But I’ve also seen folks go all-in on composite, only to move a couple years later—hard to justify that cost if you’re not sticking around. Did you notice much difference in attic temps between the two? Sometimes that surprises people more than the look.
