Feeling good about my switch to composite tiles - worth it?

I get what you mean about the color fading - seen that a lot, especially on south-facing slopes. Still, I’d take a couple chipped corners over moss creeping under every shingle any day. Did a walk-through last week on a house with old asphalt, and the granules were everywhere but the roof... composite holds up better in storms from what I’ve seen, too. Not perfect, but fewer headaches overall.

That’s been my experience too - composite definitely shrugs off storms better than old asphalt. I do miss the look of fresh shingles, but not the constant granule mess or moss battles. Color fading’s a minor trade-off if you ask me.

Can’t argue with the durability - composite holds up way better in the wind and rain, at least from what I’ve seen managing a few properties. One thing I’d add: installation matters a lot. Had a crew rush a job once and the seams weren’t tight, so we still got leaks. Also, composite’s lighter, which is great for older structures, but I do notice it can sound a bit hollow in heavy rain. Not a dealbreaker, just something to expect. The color fade is real, but honestly, most folks don’t notice unless you’re up close.

Yeah, I get what you mean about the hollow sound - first time it rained hard after ours went on, I thought something was wrong. Turns out, just the new normal. I was a little skeptical about the color fade too, but honestly, unless you’re staring at it every day, it’s not a big deal. The lighter weight made a difference for us since our place is pushing 80 years old. As long as the install crew takes their time, composite’s been solid for us so far.

That hollow sound threw me for a loop, too - thought we had a raccoon on the roof during the first big storm. Our house is only 60 years old, but those old rafters definitely appreciate the lighter load. Color fade hasn’t bugged me yet, but ask me again in five years...

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.

I get what you mean about the weight - moving real slate is brutal. I’ve only seen composite tiles after a couple hailstorms, and honestly, they held up better than I expected, but there were a few dents and one cracked edge. Not as bad as asphalt, but not invincible either. Has anyone noticed if certain brands fade faster? Mine’s only a few years old and already looks a bit washed out in spots... wondering if that’s just normal or if I got a dud batch.

Funny you mention the fading - I’ve seen some brands hold color better than others, but it’s kinda hit or miss. My uncle’s roof looked sun-bleached after just two summers, but my neighbor’s is still looking sharp. Maybe it’s the batch, or maybe the sun just hates certain shades? Either way, composite’s still way less drama than hauling slate up a ladder... my back still remembers that job.

Color fade on composite can be all over the map - honestly, I’ve seen some roofs look washed out after a couple years, others barely change. Usually comes down to the brand and how much direct sun you’re getting. Still, way easier than real slate. Just keep an eye on the warranty fine print... some don’t cover fading as much as you’d think.

Just keep an eye on the warranty fine print... some don’t cover fading as much as you’d think.

Yeah, that’s the part that tripped me up when I was comparing brands. Some of the “lifetime” warranties sound great until you realize color fade is either not covered or only for a few years. I guess it makes sense, since UV exposure is so unpredictable depending on where you live. I’m in the southeast and our summers are brutal - my neighbor’s composite roof faded noticeably after maybe three years, but mine (different brand) still looks pretty sharp after five.

I do like that composite is lighter and easier to work with than slate or tile, and it’s less wasteful than asphalt if you pick the right product. I just wish more companies would be upfront about what’s actually in their tiles - some are recycled, some aren’t, and it’s not always obvious. Anyone else notice that?

Still, I’d take a little fading over cracked slate any day. Just feels like less hassle overall, even if you have to touch up the color down the line.

Still, I’d take a little fading over cracked slate any day. Just feels like less hassle overall, even if you have to touch up the color down the line.

Same here - cracked tiles stress me out way more than a bit of fading. When we moved in last year, the old asphalt shingles were curling and missing in spots, so composite felt like a huge upgrade. I’m in central Texas and the sun here is no joke. I did notice the warranty on mine only covers “excessive” fading for 7 years, which sounded vague but better than nothing.

I totally get what you mean about not knowing what’s actually in the tiles. The sales pitch was all about “eco-friendly” this and “recycled content” that, but when I asked for specifics, it got pretty fuzzy. Ended up just hoping for the best.

So far, no regrets though. It’s quieter during storms and looks way better from the street. If it fades a bit, I’ll live with it... beats dealing with leaks or broken tiles every season.

I’ve managed a handful of properties with both slate and composite roofs, and honestly, the difference in day-to-day headaches is pretty noticeable. Slate looks gorgeous, no doubt, but I swear, every time we had a hailstorm or even just a rough winter, I’d be up there checking for cracks or loose pieces. And then you’re hunting down a matching tile, which is never as easy as the sales guys make it sound.

With composite, yeah, you get some fading - especially in places like Texas where the sun just bakes everything. One building I look after has a south-facing roof that’s definitely lighter than when it was installed five years ago. But unless you’re standing right up close, it’s not super obvious. What’s been more important for us is that we haven’t had to deal with leaks or emergency repairs nearly as often. That’s a huge relief, especially when you’re juggling multiple properties.

I do wish manufacturers were clearer about what goes into these tiles. “Recycled content” could mean anything from old tires to plastic bottles... or just marketing fluff. I tried to get a straight answer once and ended up with a glossy brochure and not much else. Still, I’ll take that over the constant maintenance slate seemed to need.

One thing I’ve noticed is composite tends to muffle rain noise better than metal or even asphalt. Tenants have actually commented on how much quieter it is during storms. That’s not something I expected to matter, but it does make a difference.

If I had to nitpick, the only real downside so far has been the warranty language. “Excessive fading” is so vague - what’s excessive to me might not be to them. But compared to tracking down a roofer every time a tile cracks? I’ll live with some color change. At least the roof’s doing its job.

“I do wish manufacturers were clearer about what goes into these tiles. ‘Recycled content’ could mean anything from old tires to plastic bottles... or just marketing fluff.”

That’s been bugging me too - sometimes it feels like you need a chemistry degree just to figure out what’s actually in the product. Have you noticed any difference in how the composite holds up structurally compared to slate, especially after a few years of sun and storms? I’ve heard some brands get brittle over time, but haven’t seen it firsthand yet.

“sometimes it feels like you need a chemistry degree just to figure out what’s actually in the product.”

That’s exactly my frustration with a lot of these “eco” building materials. The recycled content label sounds great, but unless you dig into the spec sheets (which are usually buried or vague), you’re left guessing. I’ve even had reps give me different answers about what’s actually in the composite tiles they sell - one said mostly post-consumer plastics, another claimed rubber and wood fiber mix. Not super confidence-inspiring.

On the durability side, I’ll push back a bit on the idea that composites are always less reliable than slate. I manage a few properties with both types of roofs, and honestly, the composites have held up surprisingly well - at least the higher-end ones. We’re in a region with hot summers, ice storms in winter, and plenty of wind. After about seven years, I haven’t seen any major brittleness or cracking on the composite roofs we installed. Slate is obviously tougher and has that “forever” reputation, but it’s also way heavier and costs a fortune to repair if something does go wrong.

Where I do see issues is with cheaper composite brands - those can get chalky or brittle, especially if they’re exposed to full sun all day. Had one property where the tiles started fading and curling after five years. Turns out, that brand used a lot of filler material and not much UV protection. Lesson learned: price really does matter with these.

One thing I’ll say for composites - they’re easier to install and replace than slate, which means less downtime when repairs are needed. But yeah, I wish there was more transparency about what goes into them. If you’re managing long-term costs, sometimes it’s worth paying for the better composite just for peace of mind.

Bottom line: not all composites are created equal, but I wouldn’t write them off as flimsy across the board. Just gotta be picky about which one you choose... and maybe keep bugging manufacturers for real info on what’s inside.

That’s pretty much been my experience too - composites can surprise you if you don’t cheap out. I’ve had one roof that’s still looking decent after nearly a decade, and another where the tiles started curling up like potato chips after just a few summers. The transparency thing drives me nuts though. You’d think in 2024 we’d know what’s actually in these things without playing detective... But yeah, easier install and less hassle than slate for sure. I’ll take that trade-off most days.

The transparency thing drives me nuts though. You’d think in 2024 we’d know what’s actually in these things without playing detective...

Right? I’ve tried to get a straight answer from a couple manufacturers and it’s always “proprietary blend” or some vague eco-friendly claim. Curious if you noticed any difference in heat retention or runoff compared to slate? That’s been my main concern with composites, especially in hotter climates.