Have to say, composite can be great, but I've personally had better luck with architectural shingles. When we replaced ours, composites seemed tempting, but the upfront cost difference was noticeable. We went with architectural shingles instead—held up really well, minimal fading, and honestly, the savings let us tackle some other overdue home repairs. Might be worth considering if you're budget-conscious...
We went through something similar a couple years back, and I totally get the hesitation about composites. We were leaning toward composite at first too, but after pricing it out, it just wasn't realistic for our budget. Ended up going with architectural shingles as well, and honestly, no regrets so far. They've held up nicely through some pretty rough storms, and the savings really made a difference—we managed to finally replace our ancient water heater with the leftover funds.
Have you checked out the warranty differences between the two? For us, that was another deciding factor. The architectural shingles came with a solid warranty that eased my mind about durability concerns. Might be worth looking into how long each option is covered, just to be sure you're getting the best bang for your buck.
We faced a similar dilemma recently when replacing a roof on a property we're developing. Initially, composites seemed attractive because they're marketed as a more durable, long-term solution, but when we ran the numbers, the cost difference was pretty substantial. Architectural shingles ended up being the more practical choice for us too, especially since we were looking at multiple roofs on several buildings—it adds up quickly.
One thing I noticed, though, is that some composite roofing brands offer pretty impressive warranties. But here's the catch: those warranties often come with strict conditions about installation methods and regular maintenance checks. If you're the type who might overlook routine inspections or small repairs, it can void your warranty altogether. Architectural shingles, on the other hand, typically have more straightforward warranty terms and fewer hoops to jump through, which personally made me more comfortable.
I will say this—over the past year or so, we've had a couple of severe hailstorms and some intense wind gusts. Surprisingly, the architectural shingles held up really well, with minimal damage. We did have one small section needing repair, but it was relatively inexpensive and easy to manage. Considering the cost savings upfront, I still feel we made the right call.
If you haven't already, maybe take a closer look at warranty conditions beyond just duration. Sometimes the fine print can be a deciding factor.
We went through something similar last summer, and honestly, I was leaning towards composites at first too. They look great on paper, but once you factor in the upfront costs and the warranty fine print...yeah, it gets tricky. We ended up going with architectural shingles as well, mostly because the warranties were straightforward and didn't require jumping through hoops every year.
Funny enough, we had a pretty nasty storm roll through just a few months after installation—branches down everywhere, neighbors losing shingles left and right—but ours held up surprisingly well. Had one small patch that needed attention, but it was quick and cheap to fix. I guess sometimes simpler really is better.
One thing I'd add though: if you're planning to sell anytime soon, composites can be a nice selling point since buyers often see them as premium. But if you're staying put or doing multiple roofs like you mentioned, architectural shingles are probably the smarter bet overall.
Good points on the warranty issue—definitely something that's easy to overlook when you're just comparing aesthetics and durability. Curious though, did you happen to look into metal roofing at all during your decision process? I've heard mixed things about the noise factor during storms, but durability-wise (and sustainability-wise) it seems like a solid option. Wondering if anyone here has personal experience with metal roofs holding up long-term...
