Composite Roofing is the lightweight alternative to traditional roofing products such as asphalt shingles, wood shakes, natural slate, and cement or clay tiles on the market. Composite or synthetic may be made from a rubber or plastic base along with fillers or other additives. Composite roofs are made to look like natural products mainly in three categories; Wood slats, slate and barrel tile.

About the Composite Roofing Market:

Polymeric composites represent less than 1% of the total residential roofing market with an approximate value of $159 million. Composites are typically installed in high-end homes in distinctive neighborhoods, either for new construction or reroofing. The biggest advantage of composite roofs is that there is no need to reinforce the roof. Many times, natural products require trusses to be reinforced to support their weight, which can be anywhere from 800 to 1,000 pounds per square of roofing (100 square feet). Composite materials weigh between 300 and 400 pounds per square of roofing and do not require reinforcement. The advantage of composite roofing is that it has a natural look without the weight challenges.

Composite Roof Benefits:

• Light: Most compounds weigh 1/3 the weight of natural products. This makes it easy to load and install the roof.
• Durability – Longer lasting than natural products. Fewer breaks on the job site.
• Natural Appearance – Most composites are designed to look like the real thing.
• Most composites have the rich, deep texture of natural slate, the authentic look of concrete or clay shingles, and the natural splendor of cedar wood shakes.
• Colors – Composite shingles are available in a variety of colors and styles that replicate the look of traditional products. With the naked eye, many people will not be able to tell that it is a compound.
• Performance – Many compounds are tested to different building code standards, such as ICC (International Code Council).
  • Some compounds have a special additive that makes them resistant to mold and algae growth.
• Compounds can be installed with standard roofing tools (circular saw, drills, spiral nail guns).
• Warranty – Composite shingles are generally warranted for 30 to 50 years. Traditional tiles have a useful life of 15 to 20 years.
• Fade Resistant – Composites are made with UV stabilizers, which means they will stand the test of time. Composites, if made correctly, will not fade to a different color, but may have a slight change similar to coating.

An eco-friendly roofing alternative:

Composite shingles have an eco-friendly message, not only are most of them made from recycled or eco-friendly material, but they are also lighter, which means better energy efficiency. Some composite items would go to landfill if they were not used to make composite shingles. Most composite shingles are also recyclable at the end of their useful life.