That hollow echo is wild, right? First time I heard it, I thought something was loose up there too. Lighter weight’s a big plus, especially for older framing—less stress during those heavy wind gusts. I’ve seen some composites fade faster in direct sun, but it really depends on the brand and your roof pitch. If you’re not seeing much change yet, you probably picked a good one.
That echo threw me off too—thought a raccoon was bowling up there. I went with composite mainly because my wallet nearly fainted at the price of real slate. Haven’t noticed any fading yet, but I’m in the shade most of the day, so maybe that helps. Lighter weight was a big deal for me too since my house is pushing 80 years old and creaks if you look at it funny. If it holds up through another Texas summer, I’ll call it a win.
Composite’s been a game changer for a lot of older homes I manage—those heavy slate tiles just aren’t worth the stress (or the cost) on an aging structure. I will say, though, I’ve seen a bit of fading on the south-facing sides after a few years, even with some shade, but nothing major. The weight savings and lower install costs usually tip the scales for me. If you make it through August without any curling or cracking, you’re probably set for a good while.
I’ve noticed the same thing with fading, especially on roofs that get hammered by the afternoon sun. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s there. The weight difference is wild though—lifting composite versus slate almost feels like cheating. I’m still a little skeptical about how well they’ll hold up in a freak hailstorm, but so far, no curling or cracking here either. Guess time will tell...
The weight difference is wild though—lifting composite versus slate almost feels like cheating.
Right? I swear my back is still thanking me for not going with real slate. The fading’s a little annoying, but honestly, I’d rather touch up the color than haul up another 80-pound tile. Has anyone actually had their composite tiles take a direct hit from hail? I’m in the Midwest and every spring I get nervous... hoping these things aren’t just fancy plastic frisbees when the ice starts flying.