I hear you on the maintenance—scrubbing moss off a roof is one of those chores that sounds kinda quaint until you’re actually up there, slipping around in March drizzle. Composite really does take a lot of that hassle out of the equation. I’ve seen folks save themselves a lot of time (and a few sketchy ladder moments) after switching.
Fading’s just part of the deal, like you said. Even with all the UV-resistant marketing, if your roof’s getting hammered by sun, there’s gonna be some color shift over time. I’ve noticed it’s usually most obvious on the south or west sides—sometimes it blends in after a few years, but if you’re picky about color, it can bug you. Personally, I’d rather have a faded patch than deal with cracked or curling shingles after every hot summer.
Rain noise is funny—it bothered me at first too, but now I almost look forward to it. There’s something about hearing a storm roll in and knowing your roof isn’t gonna leak or shed granules everywhere.
You nailed it about insulation making more difference for energy bills than just the roofing material. I’ve been called out to look at storm damage where people thought new tiles would fix their drafty attic, but without decent insulation or venting, not much changes inside. Composite helps with leaks and longevity, but it doesn’t turn an old house into a passive house overnight.
If “Instagram-perfect” is the goal, composite might not always deliver that glossy magazine look—especially after a couple seasons—but in my book, less moss and less climbing up there with a brush is a win. Most people I know who made the switch don’t regret it once they realize how much less fuss there is year after year.
If you ever get hit by hail or high winds (depends where you are), just keep an eye on those edges and seams. Composite holds up better than some old-school shingles but nothing’s totally bulletproof.
All in all, sounds like you made a solid call for peace of mind and less maintenance grief down the road.
