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.
That’s exactly where I landed. I get why people like composite, especially with the crazy wind we get, but if you’re not planning to stay put for a decade or more, it’s tough to swallow that price tag. When I replaced my roof last year, I ran the numbers and asphalt just made more sense for us. We’re probably out of here in five years, tops.
Here’s how I looked at it, step by step:
1. **Upfront Cost**: Composite was almost double what I got quoted for architectural asphalt. That’s a lot of cash tied up in something I might not even get to enjoy long-term.
2. **Resale Value**: Realtors told me buyers notice a new roof, but most don’t care if it’s composite or asphalt unless it’s metal or tile. So, not much payback there.
3. **Insurance**: My insurance company didn’t offer any real discount for composite over asphalt. Maybe that’s different elsewhere, but here it didn’t matter.
4. **Attic Temps**: To your point about attic temps, I honestly didn’t see much difference. We had basic 3-tab before and swapped to architectural asphalt—no change in how hot the attic got in summer. Maybe composite is a bit better, but with decent insulation and a ridge vent, it’s not a game-changer.
I will say, if you’re in your “forever home” and hate dealing with repairs after every storm, composite could be worth it. But for anyone watching their budget or thinking about moving soon, asphalt is hard to beat. If you’re worried about wind, just make sure the installer uses the right nailing pattern and starter strips—my neighbor skipped that and lost half his shingles last March.
Bottom line: composite is nice, but unless you’re staying put or have money to burn, asphalt gets the job done for less. Just my two cents from the cheap seats...
I’ve inspected a ton of roofs around here and honestly, I see way more issues with poor installation than with the actual material. Like you mentioned, if the installer cuts corners—wrong nailing, no starter strips, or just rushing the job—it doesn’t matter if it’s composite or asphalt, you’ll be chasing leaks and blown shingles. Personally, I’d rather have a well-installed asphalt roof than a fancy composite one slapped on in a hurry. Plus, in our area, storms don’t really care what you paid for your shingles... they’ll test them all the same.
“Plus, in our area, storms don’t really care what you paid for your shingles... they’ll test them all the same.”
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen composite shingles hold up better after a couple of those big windstorms last year. Not saying installation isn’t key, but some of the newer composites seem to flex instead of crack or tear. Asphalt’s fine, but I wouldn’t write off material quality completely—especially with how unpredictable the weather’s been lately.
- Noticed the same thing with composites on my uncle’s house—after that nasty hailstorm, his looked way less beat up than my asphalt ones.
- Wonder if it’s just the brand or if all composites are that much tougher? Heard some are just fancy marketing.
- I’m still not sure about how they hold up long-term though... anyone seen composites after like 10+ years?
- Installation does seem to make a huge difference, but I keep going back to whether paying more upfront for better material is actually worth it, especially if the weather keeps getting crazier.
I totally get the hesitation about paying more upfront. I was in the same boat—couldn’t justify the extra cost for composite at first. But after seeing my neighbor’s composite roof barely scratched after a hailstorm (while my asphalt looked like Swiss cheese), I started rethinking things. I’ve heard some brands are just hype, but the better ones do seem to hold up. Still, I’d want to see a roof that’s been through 10+ years of sun and storms before calling it a slam dunk. Installation is huge, too—my last contractor cut corners and I paid for it later. Sometimes spending a bit more now saves you a headache down the road, especially with how wild the weather’s been lately.
