Honestly, I hear you on the cedar shakes. They look amazing for about a year, then it’s just constant maintenance—especially if you’re not into climbing ladders every spring. I switched to composite shingles a few years back after getting tired of patching leaks and dealing with moss. They don’t have quite the same charm up close, but from the street, nobody can tell the difference. Plus, no more weekends spent cleaning or replacing split shakes. If you value your time (and sanity), composites are a solid bet.
They don’t have quite the same charm up close, but from the street, nobody can tell the difference.
That’s interesting—do composites hold up well in really wet climates? I keep hearing mixed things about how they age compared to natural wood. Also, did you notice any difference in noise during rainstorms?
I’ve worked with a few composite roofs in rainy areas, and honestly, they’re not all created equal. Some brands do just fine—no swelling or warping—but I’ve seen cheaper products get a bit funky after a few years of nonstop moisture. As for rain noise, composites can be a bit louder than thick wood shakes, but nowhere near as bad as metal. If you’re sensitive to sound, it might be worth checking the underlayment options too... sometimes that makes more difference than the shingles themselves.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
I get where you’re coming from on composites, but I’ve got to push back a bit on the idea that underlayment can compensate for all the shortcomings of the shingle material itself. In my experience, especially in climates with relentless rain, the quality of the top layer matters just as much—if not more—than what’s underneath. I’ve seen projects where folks went all-in on premium underlayment, thinking it’d solve noise and moisture issues, only to have the composite shingles themselves start breaking down or discoloring after a few seasons. At that point, you’re looking at a full replacement anyway.
On the noise front, I’ll admit composites aren’t as bad as metal (nothing quite like trying to sleep through a hailstorm on a tin roof), but I wouldn’t call them quiet either. If you’re really sensitive to sound, you might want to look at heavier options—maybe even concrete tiles or high-end asphalt. They’re not perfect, but they tend to muffle rain better than most composites I’ve come across.
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned much is ventilation. Poor attic airflow can make moisture problems worse no matter what roofing material you pick. Had a client last year who swapped out an old cedar shake for composite, spent extra on fancy underlayment... and still ended up with mold because their attic vents were basically decorative.
Not saying composites are a bad choice—they’re just not always the silver bullet people hope for in wet climates. Sometimes spending a little more upfront on better materials or fixing underlying issues saves you headaches down the line. Just my two cents from seeing too many “budget” roofs turn into expensive fixes later.
NEED ADVICE ON REPLACING AN OLD LEAKY ROOF
You make a solid point about the top layer mattering just as much as the underlayment. I was tempted by some of the cheaper composite options, but after seeing my neighbor’s roof fade and curl after only a few years, I’m rethinking it. Ventilation is something I hadn’t really considered before—guess it’s easy to overlook when you’re focused on leaks and costs. Still trying to balance budget with not having to do this all over again in five years... tough call.
