Double felt isn’t just an old-school trick—it actually works, especially if you’re in a storm-prone area.
Can’t argue with that—my last place had thin underlayment and you could hear every squirrel and raindrop. Switched to double felt when I redid the roof here, and it’s way quieter, plus no leaks so far. Still, I’m not convinced composite tiles are a magic bullet. They look good and all, but if your attic’s roasting, insulation alone won’t cut it. I tried beefing up the batts, but until I put in a ridge vent, it was like a sauna up there. Cedar shakes do have that “storybook” vibe, but yeah... maintenance is a pain.
Double felt definitely helps, but you’re right—if the attic’s cooking, more insulation isn’t always the fix. I’ve seen folks pile on batts and still sweat it out until they get proper airflow. Ridge vents made a bigger difference for me than swapping out shingles. Curious if anyone’s tried green or “cool” roofing options? I went with a reflective membrane on a shed and it dropped the temp inside by at least 10 degrees. Wonder how composite tiles stack up for heat compared to metal or even a living roof...
I’ve seen composite tiles go both ways, honestly. They’re definitely cooler than old-school asphalt, but I wouldn’t say they beat metal for heat reflection—at least not in my area (humid summers, lots of sun). Metal’s noisy in the rain though, which bugs some folks. Living roofs look awesome but seem like a lot of upkeep unless you’re really into gardening. That reflective membrane trick is underrated... I did something similar on a chicken coop and it made a huge difference. Composite’s a decent middle ground if you want less maintenance than a living roof but don’t love the look or sound of metal.
Composite’s a decent middle ground if you want less maintenance than a living roof but don’t love the look or sound of metal.
That’s pretty much been my experience, too. Composite tiles have held up well for our multi-unit buildings, especially with the wild temperature swings we get here. They’re not as reflective as metal, but if you install a proper radiant barrier or even just a lighter color tile, it really helps with heat gain. The maintenance is way lower than the green roofs we tried on one property—those looked great for about a year, then became a magnet for weeds and drainage issues. Noise from rain isn’t an issue with composite either, which tenants definitely appreciate. Only downside I’ve noticed is some brands fade faster than others in full sun...worth checking the UV warranty before you buy.
Couldn’t agree more about the maintenance side—composite is just easier to live with, especially if you’ve ever had to deal with a green roof gone wild. I helped out on a couple of those installs, and honestly, the upkeep is no joke. Looks cool for a while, but once the weeds and drainage headaches start, it’s a full-time job. Plus, tenants don’t want landscapers tromping around up there every month.
One thing I’d add is that composite tiles are a lot lighter than people think. We did a re-roof on an older duplex last year, and the structural engineer was way less concerned about load compared to if we’d gone with concrete or clay. That made the whole process smoother and cheaper—didn’t have to beef up the rafters or anything.
I do wish more brands were upfront about the UV fade issue, though. Some of the “premium” lines faded in just a few years under direct sun, which was a letdown. The warranty fine print is worth combing through, for sure. I’ve seen some companies only cover “excessive” fading, whatever that means... and trying to get them to honor it is a pain.
Noise-wise, composite is a big step up from metal, especially in hail. Metal’s great for longevity, but if you’ve ever tried to sleep through a hailstorm under a metal roof, you know what I mean. Composite dampens it a lot better, and I’ve had fewer complaints from renters since we switched.
Only other thing I’d flag is installation—if you get a crew that doesn’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter, you can end up with leaks around flashing or valleys. Composite isn’t as forgiving as asphalt in that sense. Worth keeping an eye on the details if you’re not doing it yourself.
All in all, for the price and the hassle saved, I’d stick with composite for most projects. Just gotta be picky about the brand and color if you care about looks down the line.