Interesting you noticed a difference just from the tile swap—did you go with a specific brand or thickness? I’ve managed a few buildings where we upgraded to composite, and honestly, some tenants reported less noise and drafts, others didn’t notice much. Wonder if your old roof had gaps or poor sealing that the new tiles covered up. Did you see any change in your heating bill over winter, or was it more just a comfort thing?
Wonder if your old roof had gaps or poor sealing that the new tiles covered up.
That’s honestly where I see the biggest difference in my inspections—people often credit the new material, but it’s usually the improved installation and sealing that makes the real impact. Composite tiles can help, but if the underlayment or flashing was redone, that’s probably what’s cutting down on drafts. Did your installer mention anything about fixing the decking or adding insulation while they were at it? Sometimes those “hidden” upgrades make more difference than the tiles themselves.
Sometimes those “hidden” upgrades make more difference than the tiles themselves.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen plenty of “new” roofs still leak because the installer skipped proper flashing or didn’t seal around vents. The material matters, but the prep work underneath is what really keeps things tight.
- Couldn’t agree more about the prep work—seen too many “quick” jobs come back to bite folks later.
- With composite tiles, I’ve noticed they’re only as good as the underlayment and flashing. Had one property where the tiles outlasted the felt underneath, which led to a headache a few years in.
- Curious—did your installer use synthetic or traditional felt? I’ve heard mixed things about how each holds up, especially in wetter climates.
- Anyone else notice composite tiles seem quieter during storms, or is that just me?
Funny you mention the noise—my folks’ place switched to composite tiles last year, and I swear the house feels quieter during heavy rain now. Used to be you’d hear every drop pinging off the old metal roof, but now it’s more of a dull thud, if anything. Not sure if it’s just the tiles or the new underlayment, though.
On the underlayment debate, our installer went with synthetic. He said it holds up better in our damp winters (we’re in the PNW), but I’ve heard some old-timers say traditional felt “breathes” better and is easier to patch if there’s a leak. Haven’t had any issues yet, but I guess time will tell. Anyone ever have to replace just the underlayment under composite? Wondering how much of a pain that is compared to full tear-off.
Also, for anyone who’s had composite for a while—how’s the color holding up? Ours still looks sharp, but I’m curious if it fades after a few years in the sun.
