I get the appeal of the quick attic check, but I’ve seen a few leaks that only show up along the sheathing or behind walls—totally invisible from a casual look. My routine’s a bit more hands-on: after heavy rain, I check ceilings for faint stains, then hit the attic with a moisture meter (they’re cheap and surprisingly helpful). Composite tiles do seem to handle wild temp swings, but I’ve had a couple tenants complain about weird creaking noises during freeze-thaw cycles. Anyone else notice that? Sometimes it’s not just about leaks, but those little quirks that pop up after the install.
Composite tiles do seem to handle wild temp swings, but I’ve had a couple tenants complain about weird creaking noises during freeze-thaw cycles. Anyone else notice that?
Yeah, that creaking is familiar. I’ve got composite on a rental in a spot with brutal winters, and the first year I thought something was wrong when I heard it. Turns out, it’s just the expansion and contraction—especially if the tiles are installed tight or the decking’s older. Not much you can do unless it’s really excessive, but I did add some extra attic insulation and that seemed to muffle it a bit.
I’m curious if you noticed any difference in noise after heavy rain? Mine seems quieter than the old asphalt, but maybe that’s just luck with the underlayment. Also, totally agree on the moisture meter—caught a slow leak last spring that would’ve been invisible otherwise.
Anyone tried composite with a vented roof assembly? Wondering if better airflow would help with those temperature swings and maybe cut down on the creaks...
Anyone tried composite with a vented roof assembly? Wondering if better airflow would help with those temperature swings and maybe cut down on the creaks...
I’ve got a vented setup on one of mine, but honestly, the creaks didn’t totally disappear. Maybe a bit less in spring, but still there during those wild temp drops. I do think the rain noise is way better than asphalt, though—almost weirdly quiet sometimes.
Noticed the same thing with mine—vented assembly helped a little with the creaks, but didn’t solve it entirely. I’m in a spot with pretty big temperature swings (Midwest), and those sharp cold snaps still seem to get the composite moving around. I was hoping the venting would even things out more, but maybe it just can’t keep up when temps drop 30 degrees overnight.
That said, the rain noise difference is wild. With my old asphalt, you could hear every drop hammering down, kind of a white noise situation. Now it’s almost muted, which honestly took some getting used to. I sort of miss the sound during storms, weird as that sounds.
Curious if anyone’s tried using a different underlayment with their composite tiles? I went with synthetic (the blue stuff from GAF), and I wonder if that changes anything for creaks or noise. Or maybe it’s more about how the tiles are fastened? I know some folks use clips vs. nails, but I just followed the manufacturer’s instructions.
Also, for those who’ve had composite on for a while—how’s the long-term maintenance? I keep hearing these tiles are “lifetime,” but that always seems a bit optimistic. I’ve only had mine for three years, so too early to tell if they’ll outlast the last batch of asphalt.
And one last thing: has anyone noticed any condensation issues with vented assemblies and composite? I’ve checked my attic a few times after heavy rains, and so far so good, but I’m a little paranoid about moisture getting trapped up there.
Curious if anyone’s tried using a different underlayment with their composite tiles? I went with synthetic (the blue stuff from GAF), and I wonder if that changes anything for creaks or noise.
I used the same GAF synthetic underlayment on mine (southern Wisconsin), and honestly, didn’t notice much change in creaks either. I did hear from a buddy who went with felt instead, but he still got some popping when temps dropped fast. Might just be the nature of composite in wild weather swings. Have you ever noticed any weird smells or mustiness in the attic after a cold snap? I’m always worried about hidden moisture too, but so far nothing obvious.
