I hear you on the skepticism about the recycled stuff—there’s a lot of hype, but not everything holds up in our wet winters. But have you checked out some of the newer composite shingles that mix recycled plastic and rubber? I’ve seen a couple installs around Olympia that are still laying flat after three or four years, which honestly surprised me. Not saying they’re perfect, but I wonder if the tech’s finally catching up with our climate. Anyone else noticed fewer issues with the recent batches, or is it just a fluke?
I’ve seen a couple installs around Olympia that are still laying flat after three or four years, which honestly surprised me.
I’ve noticed the same thing on a couple buildings I manage—one with the recycled composite shingles installed in 2020 is holding up better than some of the older asphalt roofs nearby. They seem to shed water well, and I haven’t had the usual curling or granule loss. That said, installation makes a huge difference. If the crew cuts corners, even these newer materials won’t save you from leaks. Still not totally sold on the long-term durability, but they’re outperforming my expectations so far.
- I’ve had similar results with the newer composite shingles—definitely staying flatter than I expected, especially with all the rain we get here.
- You’re right about installation being key. One of my neighbors had the same material put on, but rushed the job and now he’s dealing with leaks around the vents.
- I’m still a bit skeptical about how these will look in ten or fifteen years, but so far, way less maintenance than my old asphalt roof.
- Honestly, I’ll take a few more years of not climbing up there to patch things... That alone is a win in my book.
Honestly, I’ll take a few more years of not climbing up there to patch things... That alone is a win in my book.
That’s exactly where I’m at these days. I used to dread every spring when I’d have to drag out the ladder and check for missing shingles or soft spots. My old roof was the basic three-tab asphalt, and it felt like something always needed patching after a windy week.
When I switched to composite shingles last year, I was mostly thinking about cost and how much hassle I could avoid. Here’s what I did, step by step, in case it helps anyone else on the fence:
1. I got three quotes—prices were all over the place, but I asked each contractor about their installation process. The one I picked actually showed me how they’d overlap the shingles and explained the “fish scale” thing. That made a difference, since my neighbor went with the cheapest bid and now has leaks around his skylight.
2. I watched them install the underlayment and noticed they took their time around the vents and chimney. It took an extra day, but so far, no leaks even after a couple of big storms.
3. I kept a chunk of my budget for small repairs, just in case, but honestly haven’t touched it yet. The composite shingles seem to settle flatter than the old ones, especially with all the rain we get here in the Midwest.
I do wonder about how these will look in a decade or so. The warranty says 30 years, but I’ve seen some roofs in the neighborhood fade or curl after 10-15. Still, not having to climb up there every season is worth a lot to me, even if I have to replace a few here and there down the line.
If you’re trying to keep costs down, my two cents: don’t rush the install, and ask about how they handle flashing and vents. That’s where I’ve seen most folks run into trouble. And if you can, hang onto a bundle of shingles from your batch—they’re handy for patch jobs if you ever need ‘em.
Not saying it’s perfect, but for now, my back and my wallet are both happier.
The composite shingles seem to settle flatter than the old ones, especially with all the rain we get here in the Midwest.
That’s been my experience too—after a few storms, they just seem to hug the roof better. I do wonder about the color holding up though. Mine looked great at first, but after just two summers, I’m noticing a bit of fading on the south side. Anyone else see that, or is it just our crazy sun exposure?