Composition Roof: Everything You Need To Know
Ever Been Curious About a Composition Roof? Here’s Everything You Need To Know
When searching for a new roof, you’ll find a number of roofing material options available to you, and it’s a good idea to research all of those options. One thing that might come up in your search is composition roofs. The name itself is a bit vague, which leads some homeowners to wonder what exactly composition roofs are, and what they offer their home compared to other roofing materials. Is a composition roof the right choice for you? In today’s blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know so you can make that choice.
What Is a Composition Roof?
A composition roof is a roof made up of a combination of different materials — or a composition, as it were. It is typically characterized by shingles, which can be laminate or 3-tab. Those shingles, however, are often made up of wood, slate, laminate, and fiberglass. The conceit is that the homeowner can enjoy the best of several different types of shingle roofs, both stylistically and in terms of practicality. Most asphalt roofs, the most popular type of roofing material, are at least partly composition roofs.
How Are Composition Roofs Used?
Composition roofs are often used as an alternative to asphalt roofs, especially in climates where asphalt roofs might not hold up. They can combine the durability of wood and slate roofs with the low maintenance tendencies of fiberglass and laminate roofs for better performance overall than asphalt roofs. They also have a beautiful and unique aesthetic that many homeowners fall in love with. In addition, they’re suitable for a number of different climates, without being as expensive as other durable roofing materials available.
How Do Composition Roofs Hold Up to Other Roofing Materials?
Again, most asphalt roofs are, in fact, composition roofs, and are the most popular for their value-friendly nature. They are also comparably easy to install, repair, and replace, as well as low maintenance.
While more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs, composition roofs, or composite roofs, are far less expensive than metal roofs. They also allow homeowners to still enjoy that classic look of roofing shingles. They are also easier to install than interlocking metal panels. Metal roofs, however, have more durability — sometimes lasting up to 100 years — and can be a bit more vibrant in terms of color, so they might appeal to homeowners in that way.
Composition roofs are also less expensive than full slate roofs, and considerably easier to install and repair. Slate roofs can be heavy and might sometimes crack or become damaged in the midst of high winds. Composition roofs are a bit less brittle and better able to withstand strong winds. Composition roofs are also significantly quieter than both metal and slate roofs.
Composite roofs can have much of the same look as wood shakes, even sometimes mimicking the woodgrain texture of wood roofs. But unlike wood roofs, they’re better able to withstand moisture and humidity, so they require less maintenance than wood shakes, though not so little maintenance as full fiberglass roofs or metal roofs.
How Much Do Composition Roofs Cost?
Like any other roofing material, this will depend on the size of your roof, the quality of the composition shingles, and the crew that installs the roofs. Typically, composition roofs will cost about $4-6 per square foot, with the highest-end composition roofs, most likely to last, costing closer to $6 per square foot. This includes the cost of installation. This can be between 25-50% more than the cost of wood shake roofs. But keep in mind, these roofs have a lifespan that outlasts wood shake roofs, so this cost could pay off in the long run. If you plan to move in the next few years, it might help add value to your home, but otherwise, it could be a steeper investment.
If you decide that composition roofs are the right choice for you, you have to choose a roofer who is qualified to install them right the first time. At Houston Roofing, we’re a GAF Master Elite Roofer, something only 3% of roofers can boast, with 10+ years of experience in the area. We can help with your roof replacement needs, composite or otherwise. Contact us today to learn more or to get started with a roofing estimate.