Funny enough, I was worried about the noise too when I switched over. My old cedar shakes were definitely quieter in a heavy downpour, but honestly, the difference with composites hasn’t been as dramatic as people warned me. Maybe it’s the underlayment or attic insulation doing its job? Hail used to keep me up at night—now I just check for dents in my car instead of leaks in the ceiling. The trade-off’s been worth it for me, even if the roof isn’t winning any beauty pageants these days.
The trade-off’s been worth it for me, even if the roof isn’t winning any beauty pageants these days.
Totally get this. I was on the fence for ages about switching to composites, mostly because I’d heard horror stories about rain sounding like a drumline up there. My old roof was asphalt, not cedar, but it was definitely quieter—and honestly, I kinda liked the look better too. But after a couple years with composites, I’m with you: the noise just isn’t as bad as people make it out to be. I think you’re right that a lot of it comes down to what’s underneath. We beefed up our attic insulation when we redid the roof, and it made a huge difference for both noise and keeping the house cooler in the summer.
The hail thing is real, too. Used to get so stressed about leaks and water spots. Now if we get a big storm, I’m just hoping my solar panels made it through okay and not even thinking about the roof itself. It’s not the prettiest, but I’ll trade a little curb appeal for not having to worry every time the weather gets wild.
One thing I will say—maintenance has been way easier. I used to be up there every spring cleaning out moss and patching up random splits. With composites, it’s just a quick hose-off now and then. Not sure how they’ll hold up in twenty years, but for now, I’m happy not dealing with rot or critters nesting under loose shakes.
I do kinda miss the “classic” look, but my energy bills have dropped and I haven’t had to call a roofer since the install, so that’s a win in my book. If anyone’s still debating the switch, it’s worth weighing the practical stuff over looks, at least in my experience.
I get the appeal of composites, but I’m still not totally sold.
For me, the look is a bigger deal—I’ve got an older brick house and the composite just doesn’t quite fit. Plus, I’ve seen a few neighbors’ composite roofs start to fade or curl after about 10 years, which makes me wonder about the long-term. I’ll admit, the low maintenance is tempting, but I’d rather patch up a few shakes than have to replace the whole thing if it starts looking rough. Maybe I’m just stubborn, but I’m sticking with wood for now.“I do kinda miss the ‘classic’ look, but my energy bills have dropped and I haven’t had to call a roofer since the install, so that’s a win in my book.”
That’s a fair point about the aesthetics, especially with older brick homes. I’ve noticed composites can look a bit out of place if the color or texture isn’t just right. There’s also some truth to your concerns about fading—UV exposure really does a number on certain brands, depending on the resin mix and pigment quality. Still, I get where you’re coming from with wood. It’s got that warmth and authenticity, and if you’re comfortable with the upkeep, it can last a long time. Sometimes the classic materials just fit better, even if they aren’t the “easier” option.
I get the nostalgia for wood, but honestly, the maintenance just wore me down over the years. I had cedar shakes on my last place, and yeah, they looked great for the first few seasons, but between the staining, sealing, and the occasional warped board, it became a full-time hobby. Maybe it’s my climate (humid summers, brutal winters), but I was constantly fighting off mildew and rot.
Switched to composite tiles two years ago—was a bit skeptical about the look at first, especially with my old red brick. But I found a brand with a matte finish and a bit of texture, and from the street, you really can’t tell unless you’re looking for it. No fading so far, even with full sun exposure all afternoon. I do think the newer composites are a big step up from what was around a decade ago.
I get wanting that “real” material vibe, but for me, the tradeoff in time and hassle just wasn’t worth it. Maybe if I lived somewhere drier, I’d feel differently.