You’re likely already familiar with asphalt shingles since they’re one of the most commonly found roofing materials across America. However, composite shingles are also taking the front seat as a favorite alternative to traditional asphalt shingles for many homeowners. That’s mainly due to the many great composite shingle benefits, including:
- Durability
- Affordability
- Longevity
- Versatility
- Efficiency
- Maintenance requirements
Installing a composite shingle roof is a smart investment. See for yourself why composite shingles are becoming such a staple across neighborhoods in the United States right now.
10 Benefits of Composite Roofing Materials
Composite shingles are made from a mixture of different materials like asphalt, fiberglass mat, plastic, rubber, and other recycled materials. This mix makes a composite shingle roof last much longer than other roofing materials and means it’s eco-friendly, too.
Along with that, composite shingles also offer a broad range of fantastic benefits compared to other roofing options like asphalt, slate, or cedar shakes. Here are ten of our top reasons to consider installing a composite shingle roof:
1) They’re Cheaper Than Slate
Natural slate roofing looks incredibly beautiful and can last a lifetime, but it comes with a hefty price tag that the average homeowner simply can’t afford. Fortunately, composite shingles offer a great alternative to real slate without the steep cost. You can expect composite roofing to come at a cost of about $4 to $6 per square foot, as opposed to an average slate roof cost of $12 per square foot or more.
That’s because composite shingles are specifically engineered to mimic the look of natural slate roofing shingles, but the recycled materials they’re made with help keep the cost low. So, if you like the rustic, textured appearance of a real slate roof but are being scared away by such a big investment, you can always consider composite shingles instead.
2) They’re Durable
Composite shingles cost a little bit more than the average asphalt shingles, but they offer greater durability to make the added cost worth the money. Since composite roof shingles are made from a conglomeration of recycled materials like rubber, asphalt, and plastic, they can offer more flexibility and durability than other roofing options like real slate or tile and metal roofing materials. You can quite literally hit composite shingles with a hammer and it’ll simply bounce back — no cracking or dents like cedar shake, slate, metal, and other roofing materials.
With that said, you can count on composite shingles to resist hail damage and other issues during severe weather conditions, as well as withstand high winds and offer extreme fire resistance. That’s because composite shingles come with a high fire rating and impact rating, making them more durable than other roof types and able to protect your home better than the standard asphalt shingle.
3) They’re Built to Last
As we already mentioned, composite shingles are a durable option that many homeowners choose in lieu of the typical asphalt shingle. Composite shingles are made using a unique mixture of recycled material that can withstand winds and other harsh weather conditions. Here’s a comparison of some different roof lifespans to give you a better idea of how composite shingles stack up to the competition:
- Standard 3-tab shingles (asphalt): 15-25 years
- Wood shakes: 25-30 years
- Composite shingles: 50 years
- Metal roof shingles: 40-70 years
- Real slate: 100+ years
Composite shingles fall in the middle of the road when it comes to roofing lifespans, but the right care and maintenance can make them last what will be essentially an entire lifetime. With their reasonable cost and consistent longevity, composite shingles can be a great investment for many homeowners.
4) They Look Just Like Slate or Cedar Shakes
We already talked about the difference in price tags between slate and composite shingles, but the other benefit in a similar vein is that they can also look virtually the same. Composite shingles are manufactured to have the same overall aesthetic look and texture as slate roofing or cedar, and wood shakes without the higher cost. That can provide a huge boost to your home’s curb appeal as well as your property value if you ever decide to sell down the line.
5) They’re Versatile
You spend a lot of time in and around your home, so it’s important to have an exterior facade that you’ll be happy to see every single day when you pull into the driveway after a long shift at work. It’s no surprise that many homeowners want to add their own personal flair to the outside of their homes to match their style and personality. And composite shingles provide you with the perfect opportunity to do just that!
Composite shingles come in a wide variety of colors and styles, so you can easily match your home’s siding, doors, and window shutters. You’ll get the chance to totally customize your home’s exterior when you install composite shingles on your roof.
6) They’re Environmentally Friendly
We already talked a bit about what composite shingles are made from and the benefits of durability and affordability that this mixture brings. However, the recycled materials that composite shingles are produced with will not only protect your home but the environment around you as well.
That’s because composite shingles contain a variety of recycled materials, including:
- Fiberglass mat
- Rubber
- Plastic
- Asphalt
- Paper
- Engineered polymers
Since composite shingles are made up of these recycled items, they use less energy to manufacture and reduce the amount of waste that sits in landfills. With the significant toll manufacturing and production can take on the planet, it’s wise to choose an environmentally friendly roofing material to minimize your own impacts on the earth and climate.
7) They’re Lightweight
Slate roofing systems look gorgeous and last quite literally forever, but there are still several downsides. Since real slate roofing is so heavy and hard to work with, it will take a long time to install. You’ll also have to hire a specialized roofing company to get the job done correctly. Now, not only will you be paying extra for the real slate material, but you will pay an additional fee to work with a roofing team who really knows what they’re doing.
With composite shingles, on the other hand, you can get the same look as slate without the heavy, bulky weight. Composite shingles are much easier to work with, and your roofing project can be completed in just a few short days. Plus, plenty of roofing companies know how to work with composite shingles, so it won’t be quite as challenging to install or replace.
8) They Won’t Shed Shingle Granules
Standard asphalt shingles have a well-known and recognizable look due to their gritty, granulated texture. Thanks to that feature, you’ll often find loose asphalt shingle granules in your gutters after storms or over time.
This can lead to your asphalt shingles looking discolored or patchy. But with composite shingles, you won’t have to worry about shedding any shingle granules. Your durable new roof will stay looking fresh and fully textured for years to come.
9) They’re Easy to Maintain
Many modern roofing systems are manufactured with ease of maintenance in mind, but composite shingles are exceptionally simple to take care of. Busy homeowners prefer composite shingles because they’re easy to keep clean and maintain.
All you need is a garden hose and some soapy water to wash off dirt and debris from your roof’s surface. Remember to avoid using a pressure washer so that you don’t loosen or break any of your shingles.
10) They Often Come With a Great Warranty
When you install composite shingles, you’ll likely receive warranty offers for both the material and the workmanship. Talk with your roofing contractor to see what kinds of warranties are available with your new composite roof.
Cons of a Composite Shingle Roof
Although there are many upsides to composite shingles, a composite roofing system still has a few cons:
- ❌ They’re more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles and other roofing materials – Regular asphalt shingles are a cheap roofing material, but they don’t last nearly as long as composite shingles. It’s worth it to pay the extra price for a longer life from your roof.
- ❌ They are a newer type of material in the roofing industry – Composite roof materials are less common than asphalt shingles and have been used in the industry for a shorter time than other roof styles. This can leave some homeowners with doubts about how well composite shingles actually withstand severe weather conditions and the test of time.
- ❌ Not every roofing contractor or company will offer composite shingles – Since composite shingles are a newer roofing material, you might find that it’s not offered by all roofing companies.
- ❌ They will not last as long as a real slate roof – Although they’re made to look like real slate, composite shingles don’t have the same century-long lifespan as slate roofing systems. However, they’ll still last nearly fifty years with the proper care and maintenance.
Get Expert Help Installing Composite Shingles Today
It’s clear that composite shingles come with a long list of exceptional benefits, so we’re never surprised to hear that customers are considering one. If you think a composite roof is the right option for your home, we’re here to help. Contact the trusted team at Durashield today to start your composite roofing installation and have it completed with ease.