Funny, I had the same hope with composite tiles—thought they’d make a bigger dent in attic temps. Ended up adding more soffit vents and a gable fan, which helped, but I still get some heat build-up on those 95° days. For the copper stains, I tried baking soda paste once... not much luck. Vinegar’s worked best for me too, but yeah, it’s a hassle. Still, the look is worth it—neighbors keep asking what brand I used.
Still, the look is worth it—neighbors keep asking what brand I used.
Totally agree on the curb appeal. The heat thing bugs me though—composite just doesn’t insulate like I’d hoped either. I added a ridge vent and that made a small difference, but honestly, I still get attic temps in the 120s on peak days. Vinegar’s my go-to for stains too, but man, wish there was an easier way. If you find one, let us know...
- I hear you on the heat. My attic’s basically an oven mid-July, even with extra vents and a solar fan. Composite looks great but yeah, not the best for insulation.
- Tried radiant barrier stapled under rafters—helped drop temps maybe 10 degrees, but still hot.
- For stains, I switched to a diluted dish soap mix and soft brush. Less elbow grease than vinegar, but still a pain.
- Honestly, I’d take the easier maintenance over old cedar shakes any day...just wish they’d figure out the heat issue.
That heat’s a tough one, especially with composite. I’ve seen a lot of folks surprised by how much attic temps jump after switching from wood. Still, the low maintenance is a big win. You’re definitely not alone wishing someone would crack the code on keeping things cooler up there...
I hear you on the attic temps. When we switched to composite, I was honestly shocked at how much hotter it got up there in the summer. I guess I underestimated how much the old wood tiles were helping with airflow. Still, not having to worry about rot or repainting every few years is a huge relief for my wallet and sanity. If I had to do it again, I’d probably budget for better insulation or maybe a solar fan... but overall, I’m still glad I made the switch. The maintenance savings add up fast.