- Totally relate to the airflow vs. material debate—had the same struggle picking my roof last year.
- Went with composite tiles (mostly for the recycled content, honestly) and figured I’d have to beef up my attic vents. Ended up just adding a couple ridge vents—nothing fancy.
- Haven’t had any major issues with heat or ice, even though my house is older and not super airtight.
- My neighbor’s asphalt roof is only five years old and he’s already patching leaks after last winter... kind of wild how much difference the material can make.
- I will say, composite seems a bit more forgiving if your venting isn’t textbook perfect. Maybe not magic, but definitely an upgrade from what I had before.
- If you’re in a spot with big temp swings like me (Midwest), I think it helps a ton. Plus, less landfill waste feels good too.
Interesting you mention composite being more forgiving—I’ve heard mixed things about that. Did you notice any noise difference during storms compared to your old roof? I’m always curious if the recycled content changes how it handles hail or heavy rain.
I’m always curious if the recycled content changes how it handles hail or heavy rain.
That’s actually where I think composite gets a bit overhyped. I’ve inspected a few roofs after big hailstorms, and while composite tiles *can* flex more than concrete or clay, they’re not immune to impact damage. The recycled content sometimes means you get inconsistencies—some batches are tougher than others. I’ve seen composite tiles with surface pitting after a single bad storm, especially if the installer didn’t use the right underlayment.
Noise-wise, it’s a mixed bag. Compared to my old asphalt shingles, composite was quieter during light rain but oddly “thuddy” when hail hit. Not as sharp as metal, but definitely noticeable. If you’re in an area with frequent hail, I’d say don’t just trust the marketing—ask for impact ratings and check what your insurance says about composite versus traditional materials.
One thing I’ll give composite: repairs are easier than with clay or slate. But long-term durability in harsh weather? Still not convinced it beats the classics, especially if you get those wild spring storms like we do here in the Midwest...
That’s interesting about the pitting—hadn’t really thought about how much the batch quality could vary. I went with composite last year mostly because of the price and the “lifetime” warranty, but I do wonder if I’m trading one headache for another. We get a fair bit of hail here in central Kansas, and my neighbor’s composite roof looked pretty rough after last spring’s storm. Mine held up okay, but I did notice a couple spots where the surface looked scuffed, almost like it melted a bit? Installer said it was just cosmetic, but I’m not totally convinced.
I’m curious if anyone’s had luck getting insurance to cover hail damage on composite. My old asphalt shingles were basically a write-off after every big storm, but at least the process was straightforward. Does composite complicate claims, or is it about the same? I’m trying to figure out if the upfront savings are worth it long-term, especially if repairs or replacements get tricky down the road...
I did notice a couple spots where the surface looked scuffed, almost like it melted a bit? Installer said it was just cosmetic, but I’m not totally convinced.
That “melted” look after hail is something I’ve seen too—my place is out in western Nebraska, so we get those same wild storms. I remember the first time I saw those scuffs on my composite tiles, I thought for sure they’d be ruined. Installer gave me the same line about it being cosmetic. Honestly, a year later, those spots haven’t gotten any worse. Still, I get why you’re not totally sold on that answer.
Insurance-wise, it’s been a mixed bag for me. With asphalt, like you said, adjusters would just see the granule loss or cracked shingles and call it a day. Composite seems to throw them for a loop sometimes. Last year after a big storm, my neighbor and I both filed claims—his was asphalt, mine composite. His got approved right away; mine took two adjuster visits and some back-and-forth with photos and manufacturer info. They wanted to be sure it wasn’t just “normal wear.” In the end, they covered a few panels for replacement but not the whole roof. It was more hassle than before, but at least I didn’t have to shell out for everything.
I do think the warranty helps with peace of mind, but I’ve heard stories about manufacturers blaming installation or “acts of God” to dodge coverage. Not saying that’ll happen to you, but it’s worth reading the fine print if you haven’t already.
Long-term savings? Hard to say yet. My old asphalt roof needed patching every other year and was toast after about 13 years. The composite has only been up for three years now, but so far, less maintenance overall—even if hail does leave it looking a little beat up sometimes.
If you’re worried about future claims, maybe keep a running photo log after each storm—makes it easier to show what’s new damage versus what’s been there awhile. That helped me when the adjuster started nitpicking.
Anyway, you’re not alone in wondering if you traded one headache for another. But honestly, I’d rather deal with a few scuffs than another full tear-off every decade... at least for now.
