Posted on March 23, 2022 by Phillip Camerer

If you’re a homeowner, replacing or repairing your roof is a significant expense. After all, not everyone can afford the cost of cedar shake shingles or a standing seam metal roof at today’s price points.

Because of the expense, many homeowners are looking for a cost-effective and durable roof that will last. However, it’s not always cut and dry. Not everyone’s budget is the same, and people’s tastes vary. In addition, there are many different types of roofing materials; it’s no wonder making the proper selection is a tough decision.

So to kick off Spring 2022, let’s talk about the pros and cons of composite roofing. Hopefully, helping you decide if composite roofing makes the most sense for your and your family’s needs.

What Is Composite Roofing?

Composite, by definition, is a compound of many substances. In the roofing industry, composite (or synthetic roofing) shingles, sometimes called slate, are commonly made from recycled materials. The material used to make composite roofing shingles will often be your rubber and plastic recyclables.

There are, however, new advancements that have manufacturers now making composite tiles with polymers. But what separates synthetic shingles from asphalt or shake shingle is not much when you’re thinking about your home’s curb appeal.

Asphalt shingle and a composite one are so similar in appearance it would be hard for anyone to tell the difference just by looking up from the ground. However, because the two are identical looking, composite material is becoming more widely popular, and as a heavyweight on pros, the roofing material is making it more appealing to homeowners.

Composite Roofing Quality Before Cost

When it comes to the affordability of a composite roof, you need to consider cost per square foot, roof pitch, and labor. The cheapest roofing material isn’t always your best choice either. If you’re going to compare asphalt to a slate shingle, it should never come down to price.

The cost to replace a roof or even repair one never comes down to just the cost of materials alone. It helps to consider whether you plan to install the tile yourself or plan to hire a roofing contractor.

There is a great deal to consider if you plan on DIY. After all, roofing isn’t easy to install. It’s hard work, and for easy installation, it’s best to contact a local roofing expert in your four-states area.

Pros and Cons of Composite Shingles

When it comes to selecting the right shingle for your home, you need to weigh the pros and the cons.

Top Pros for Composite Shingles

The list of pros for a composite roof will likely astound you. Fortunately, the list is lengthy and far outweighs the list of cons.

1. Composite roofs are extraordinarily durable.
2. Eco-friendly recycled roofing material.
3. The shingle can hold up in gale-force winds that certify the composite material up to 110 miles per hour gusts.
4. Can withstand the impact simulation of a 2-inch steel ball, earning the technology a prestigious class 4 rating.
5. Retains one of the highest Class A fire ratings on the shingle.
6. It is considered a Lifetime Limited Material; according to industry leaders, a new synthetic roof could last you for the life of your 30-year home loan term.
7. Considered environmentally-friendly roofing that absorbs UV rays to keep your home cooler and cut down on energy costs.

Con Composite Shingles

As for affordability, composite shingles are not inexpensive. However, you can expect to spend twice as much on composite material than on asphalt tiles.

At the End of Composite Shingles

When we start talking about the pros and cons of any roofing product, it’s not normal to have just one con or six big pros. But the truth is composite roofing material is all about the quality and not the expense.

Since the durability of synthetic roofing material extends the life of your roof for 30 years, it will more than pay for itself. However, whether you need to repair or replace your roof, the experts at Phillip Camerer Roofing can help you make the best roofing decision for as long as you own your home. After all, isn’t the roof over your family’s heads worth that kind of investment.