Composite tiles are definitely a solid choice, especially with the unpredictable weather swings we get around here. The GAF synthetic underlayment is pretty popular for a reason—it's lightweight, goes down fast, and seems to hold up well to moisture. In my experience, though, it doesn't do much to change the creaking or popping noises. Those sounds usually come from the composite itself expanding and contracting against the fasteners and decking, not so much the underlayment.
About attic smells or mustiness after a cold snap—if your ventilation is set up right and everything's sealed, you shouldn't notice much. Sometimes people get worried if they catch a whiff of something odd, but it's usually just the house "breathing" a bit differently with temp changes. If you ever spot any staining or dampness on the rafters or insulation, then it's worth a closer look, but otherwise I'd say you're probably in good shape.
Honestly, composite tiles are a big upgrade from old asphalt in terms of lifespan and resistance to hail or wind. A little noise here and there is just part of the package, but it sounds like your setup is working as intended.
I get the point about attic smells being mostly harmless, but I’ve actually had a different experience. After a cold snap last winter, I noticed a persistent musty odor that didn’t go away until I found some minor condensation on the underside of the decking. Turns out, my soffit vents were partially blocked by insulation—something I never would’ve thought to check if I’d just assumed it was “normal house breathing.” Maybe it’s rare, but worth double-checking ventilation if anything seems off. Composite tiles have been great otherwise, but that little hiccup taught me not to ignore weird smells.
That’s a good catch on the soffit vents. I’ve seen that a few times—especially in homes where blown-in insulation settles over the years and starts blocking airflow. Even with composite tiles, which handle moisture better than a lot of traditional materials, attic ventilation still makes a big difference. Sometimes people forget that the roof system is more than just the outer layer.
Curious if you noticed any staining or mold on the decking, or was it just the smell and a bit of dampness? I’ve had a couple of properties where that kind of condensation led to minor mold growth before anyone realized there was a problem. Composite tiles are definitely less prone to some issues, but the whole assembly—vents, underlayment, insulation—still needs to work together.
Did you end up adjusting the insulation yourself, or bring someone in? I’ve found that even a small gap in the venting can make a noticeable difference, especially after those cold snaps.
Had to laugh reading this—reminded me of the time I crawled up into my attic thinking I’d just “check the vents real quick.” Ended up looking like a powdered donut thanks to the loose insulation. Didn’t spot any mold, but there was definitely a funky smell and some damp spots on the rafters. I tried shifting the insulation myself, which felt like wrestling a bag of cats, but ended up calling in a pro after realizing I was mostly just making a mess. Composite tiles have been solid for me, but yeah, if the air can’t move, you’re still in for trouble.
Composite tiles are a solid choice, but I’ve seen folks get tripped up thinking they’re a magic fix for everything. I remember one property where the owner switched to composite after a nasty hailstorm—looked great, held up well, but then we started getting complaints about musty smells upstairs. Turned out, the attic vents were basically blocked by insulation that had shifted over time (probably from someone crawling around up there, ha). Even with the best roofing material, if the airflow’s off, you’re just asking for trouble.
I totally get the urge to DIY, but after seeing what a mess it can turn into—insulation dust everywhere, and sometimes even making the moisture issues worse—I’m all for calling in someone who knows what they’re doing. Composite tiles have their perks: lighter weight, good durability, and they don’t look half bad. But if the attic’s not breathing, you’ll still end up with damp rafters and weird smells. It’s always a combo of materials and proper ventilation in my book.
