- Composite tiles have come a long way—used to see a lot more curling and fading, but the newer stuff with better UV protection is holding up.
- Install matters a ton. Even the best material will fail if it’s not flashed right or nailed down properly.
- Noticed some brands do get brittle after 10+ years in really hot climates, but still less cracking than old asphalt.
- Honestly, I’d rather swap out a tile here and there than deal with whole sections blowing off like with cheap shingles...
- Only real downside I’ve seen is sometimes matching colors for repairs can be tricky if the line gets discontinued.
Totally agree that install is half the battle—seen some beautiful composite jobs go sideways just from skipped flashing or nails in the wrong spots. The newer UV-resistant stuff really does seem to hold color better, but I’ve noticed some brands still get a little chalky on the surface after a decade, especially out here in the desert. Not a dealbreaker, but it’s something you notice up close.
Swapping out a cracked tile is way less hassle than chasing blown-off shingles all over the yard, for sure. One thing I’ve run into: some of the heavier composite tiles can be a pain to cut if you’re doing a small repair, and not every saw blade handles them well. And yeah, matching discontinued colors...that’s a headache. I’ve had to get creative with paint a couple times.
Overall though, I’d take composite over basic asphalt most days. Just gotta keep an eye on the little stuff—gutters, flashing, all that. Curious if anyone’s tried those new composite “slate” tiles? Wondering how they hold up compared to the regular shake-look ones.
I’ve looked at those composite slate tiles a few times but haven’t pulled the trigger yet. Honestly, I’m a little skeptical about how they’ll hold up long-term, especially with the heat swings we get. The shake-look ones seem to flex a bit more, which I figure helps with expansion and contraction. Anyone actually seen the slate style after a few years in real weather? I’m curious if they get brittle or start curling at the edges. The idea’s great, but I’m not convinced they’re as low-maintenance as advertised.
I’ve inspected a few homes with the composite slate tiles after 5-7 years, mostly in areas with big temp swings. What I’ve seen—no major curling or brittleness, but some edges can scuff or chip if tree branches scrape them. They’re definitely less brittle than real slate, but not totally maintenance-free. If you’ve got a lot of direct sun, just keep an eye out for fading over time. Expansion and contraction seem okay as long as they’re installed with proper gaps.
That lines up with what I’ve seen in my area—composite slate holds up pretty well, but it’s not totally immune to dings from branches or hail. I’m curious, though: has anyone had a big storm roll through with these tiles? I’ve seen some roofs where the wind-driven debris caused more edge chipping than I expected, but nothing catastrophic.
Also, for folks in really sunny spots—how bad does the fading get after a few years? I’ve heard mixed things. Some say it’s barely noticeable, others complain it looks patchy. Wondering if there’s a difference between brands or colors.
One thing that surprised me: on one house, the composite tiles actually flexed just enough during a hailstorm that they didn’t crack like real slate would’ve. But then again, cleanup was still a pain because the scuff marks stuck around… Anyone try buffing those out, or is it just something you have to live with?