Honestly, I’d rather risk a few scuffs than go back to picking asphalt bits out of my downspouts.
That’s the trade-off, right? Composite holds up pretty well against hail—at least the newer stuff does—but yeah, you’ll see some cosmetic marks if a big branch comes down. In my experience, most folks are happier with a few scratches than the constant granule mess and clogged gutters. Metal’s great for durability but that sticker shock is real. Composite’s kind of the sweet spot for a lot of people, especially if you’re not looking to climb a ladder every spring.
- Just finished my first winter with composite tiles (midwest, lots of freeze/thaw) and honestly, I’m relieved not to see those little asphalt pebbles everywhere.
- Had a couple branches come down during a windstorm—left some marks, but nothing deep. Way less stressful than the time I had to patch a torn shingle and then spent hours cleaning out the gutters.
- Install was pricier than asphalt, but nowhere near metal. I did the math and figured if I don’t have to replace them for 30+ years, it’s worth it.
- Noise-wise, not much difference from my old shingles. Was worried about hail, but so far, just some faint dings you can only spot up close.
- Only thing I’m still not sure about is resale value—my realtor said buyers like “traditional” roofs, but I’d rather not deal with constant maintenance.
- If you hate climbing ladders or dealing with granule mess, composite feels like a solid middle ground. Not perfect, but way less hassle for me so far.
If you hate climbing ladders or dealing with granule mess, composite feels like a solid middle ground.
You nailed it—those granules drove me nuts every spring. I switched to composite two years ago (also Midwest), and while the upfront cost stung, not having to constantly patch or sweep up after storms is a breath of fresh air. On resale, I get what your realtor's saying, but honestly, buyers are starting to notice low-maintenance features more. I’d rather save my weekends than worry about “traditional” looks.
I’d rather save my weekends than worry about “traditional” looks.
Preach. I’ve seen way too many folks clinging to “classic” shingles, only to spend half their summer chasing down leaks or granules in the gutters. Out of curiosity, did you notice any noise difference during storms? Some composites can be a bit louder, but maybe that’s just my old house creaking…
Out of curiosity, did you notice any noise difference during storms? Some composites can be a bit louder, but maybe that’s just my old house creaking…
Funny you mention that—my place is mid-70s construction and I was bracing for more noise too. Honestly, I haven’t noticed much difference compared to the old asphalt. Maybe it’s the insulation or just the way the roof’s built? The only thing that changed was less “thud” from hail, which is a win in my book. Did you do anything special for underlayment, or just standard stuff? Wondering if that makes a bigger difference than people think...