I get where you’re coming from about composites holding up better in freeze-thaw cycles. I’ve seen some older asphalt roofs around here (northern Indiana, so we get plenty of that wild winter/spring swing) and they really do start to curl and crack after a decade or so. Composites seem to stay flatter, at least from what I’ve noticed on a few jobs.
But I’m not totally sold on the color thing being a non-issue. Maybe it’s just the brands people have picked around here, but I’ve definitely seen some composite roofs where the fading is pretty noticeable—even after just 6-7 years. The ones with those darker reds and browns seem to go kind of dull, especially if they’re getting hit by afternoon sun all year. It’s not as bad as the old asphalt granules washing off, but it still stands out when you’re up close.
One thing that surprised me: a neighbor down the block put on composite slate-look tiles maybe eight years ago. They looked amazing at first, but now there’s this weird patchy look on the south-facing side—almost like it’s unevenly faded or something. He said he tried cleaning it, but it didn’t help much. Not sure if that’s just a one-off or if certain colors/formulas are more prone to it.
On the plus side, haven’t seen any of those brittle edges or corners snapping off like with traditional shingles, even after last winter’s ice storms. So yeah, durability-wise composites are ahead for sure. But if someone’s really picky about how their roof looks over time, might be worth digging into which brands/colors have better UV resistance—or at least being ready for a little bit of fading.
Just my two cents from crawling around on roofs in all kinds of weather...
That patchy fading you mentioned is something I’ve seen a couple times too, especially on south-facing slopes that get hammered by sun all year. Seems like some of the darker colors just don’t hold up as well, even with the UV claims from the manufacturers. Still, compared to how asphalt shingles start shedding granules and curling up, composites are a step up in my book. If it’s mostly about durability and not having to mess with repairs every few years, I’d still call it a win. The color thing is just one of those trade-offs—nothing’s perfect, but at least you’re not dealing with leaks or cracked corners every spring thaw.
The color thing is just one of those trade-offs—nothing’s perfect, but at least you’re not dealing with leaks or cracked corners every spring thaw.
Yeah, I hear you on that. I’ve seen some of those “UV-resistant” claims fall flat, especially with the darker shades. Still, like you said, it beats chasing after blown-off shingles every time there’s a windstorm. Curious—did you notice any noise difference with the composites? Some folks mention they’re quieter in rain than metal but a bit louder than asphalt. Just wondering if that lines up with your experience.
Noise-wise, composites usually land somewhere in the middle, at least from what I’ve seen and heard on jobs. They’re definitely quieter than metal—no “pinging” when the rain hits hard—but you’ll notice a bit more sound compared to standard asphalt, especially if you don’t have much attic insulation. It’s not a dealbreaker for most folks, but if you’re sensitive to noise or have a low-slope roof right over living space, it can be noticeable during heavy rain.
One thing I’ll add: installation matters. If the underlayment is decent and there’s a solid deck underneath, that helps dampen sound quite a bit. I’ve inspected a few places where they cheaped out on the underlayment and you could really hear the difference.
All in all, I’d take the minor noise trade-off over the constant maintenance headaches with old shingles. Just keep an eye on attic insulation if you want things extra quiet.
Couldn’t agree more about the noise trade-off being worth it. I swapped to composites last year and honestly, the peace of mind from not having to chase down leaks or replace blown-off shingles is huge. The rain’s a bit louder, sure, but nothing a thicker layer of insulation didn’t fix for me. Way less hassle overall.