The quieter rain is a huge plus though. My old cedar shakes sounded like popcorn in a microwave every time it poured.
Yeah, the noise difference is wild. First time it rained after we put on composite, I actually slept through it—never happened with the old shakes. Moss is still a pain here on the north side, but at least it’s not eating into the material like before. I’ve tried the vinegar trick too, works alright but I guess nothing really stops it for good in our weather. Curious if you noticed the tiles stay cooler in summer? Ours seem to reflect heat better than the old wood did.
Totally get what you mean about the moss—same struggle here, and nothing seems to last more than a season. As for the heat, I’ve noticed our composite does seem a bit cooler than the old shakes, especially on those brutal July afternoons. It’s not night and day, but definitely helps. I’d call the switch worth it just for the quieter rain honestly.
Interesting you mention the quieter rain—I've had a few clients say the same thing after switching to composite. Out here in the Northwest, that moss is a constant headache, but I have noticed composite seems to resist it a bit better than wood shakes. Have you had any issues with the seams or edges lifting? Sometimes with the cheaper brands, I’ve seen that after a couple of years, especially if the install wasn’t spot-on. Curious if you’ve noticed anything like that yet or if it’s holding up tight.
Have you had any issues with the seams or edges lifting? Sometimes with the cheaper brands, I’ve seen that after a couple of years, especially if the install wasn’t spot-on.
Yeah, I’ve noticed that too—if the install’s not dialed in, those seams can start to curl or lift, especially on the lower-end composites. On my uncle’s place, he went with a bargain brand and after about three winters, there were a few spots where the edges started to pop up. Not a huge deal at first, but water started getting underneath and it turned into a headache.
What I’ve seen helps is making sure the underlayment is solid and the fasteners are spaced right. Some folks try to cut corners and skip nails or use staples, but that just makes things worse down the line. Also, if you’re in a spot that gets a ton of rain like we do, keeping gutters clear is key—water backing up at the eaves can make those edges lift faster.
I do agree about moss being less of an issue. Composite seems way less “grippy” for moss than cedar shakes. Still gotta sweep it off every now and then, but it’s not nearly as stubborn. If you went with a mid-range or better brand and the install was careful, you should be in good shape for a while.
That’s good to hear you’re feeling confident about the switch. I went with a mid-range composite a few years back and honestly, haven’t had any major issues—just the usual maintenance stuff. I was a little nervous about seams too, but as long as the install’s done right, it seems to hold up well. You’re right about moss; it’s way less of a hassle than with cedar, at least in my experience. If you keep an eye on things after storms and clear out the gutters now and then, you should be set for quite a while.
