I’ve got composite on my main house—went with them after my old asphalt shingles barely survived two hailstorms in three years. The impact resistance is impressive, but I did notice installation was fussier, especially around the dormers. Wish the color range was better, too. Still, not having to deal with granule mess or early replacement is a big plus.
Composite’s a solid call, especially after hail’s had its way with asphalt. I hear you on the install quirks—those dormers can turn a straightforward job into a puzzle, and composite’s less forgiving if you’re off by even a hair. Color options are still a bit “Henry Ford”—any shade you want, as long as it’s grayish. But hey, not sweeping up granules after every storm? That’s a win in my book. I’ve seen enough shingle confetti to last a lifetime.
- Composite holds up better than asphalt after hail, no question there.
- Install’s gotta be spot-on—seen a few jobs where a sloppy cut around a dormer led to leaks down the road.
- Color selection’s still pretty limited, yeah. Not a dealbreaker for most, but worth noting.
- No granule mess is a plus, but I’ve seen composite get brittle in colder climates. Something to watch for if you’re up north.
- If you’re after low maintenance and can live with the color, it’s a solid upgrade over basic shingles.
Has anyone looked into green or living roofs as an alternative? I get that composite is tougher than asphalt for hail, but I’m curious if anyone’s tried something like sedum or other plant-based systems for insulation and storm protection. I know install’s a whole different ballgame, but I’ve seen some pretty wild weather handled surprisingly well by green roofs—plus, you don’t have to worry about color options since it’s all plants. Wondering if the maintenance trade-off is worth it compared to composite, especially in colder spots where brittleness is an issue.
Green roofs are fascinating, and I’ve seen a few projects in the Midwest where folks went all-in with sedum mats and even some wildflower mixes. There’s no question about the insulation benefits—plants plus soil do a solid job buffering both heat and cold, which can help with energy bills. But, as you mentioned, installation is a whole different animal compared to composite or asphalt. You’re talking about extra structural support (those systems get heavy, especially after rain), waterproof membranes, root barriers—the works.
Maintenance is where it gets tricky. In theory, sedum roofs are “low maintenance,” but that’s not the same as “no maintenance.” You’ll need to keep an eye out for weeds, irrigation issues (especially if you get dry spells), and drainage problems. I’ve seen a couple of green roofs where clogged drains led to pooling water and eventual leaks into the building below—not fun to fix. In colder climates, freeze-thaw cycles can be rough on both the membrane and the plants themselves. Some sedums handle cold pretty well, but others just don’t make it through harsh winters, so you might end up with patchy spots unless you’re careful with plant selection.
On the flip side, composite shingles are definitely more straightforward—install’s faster, initial costs are lower, and they’re engineered for impact resistance now (some brands even have Class 4 hail ratings). But yeah, cold can make them brittle over time. I’ve replaced plenty that cracked after a few tough winters.
If you’re after storm protection specifically—hail especially—green roofs actually do absorb some impact and can shield the underlying membrane from direct hits. But if there’s ever a breach in that waterproofing layer, repairs get expensive fast since you have to pull up all those layers just to find the problem.
Honestly, it comes down to priorities: If you want something eco-friendly with great insulation and don’t mind ongoing upkeep (and higher upfront costs), green roofs are worth considering. For pure durability with less hassle in cold weather zones, composite still wins out most of the time in my book. That said... every roof I’ve seen has its own story once the weather gets wild.
