Composite vs Asphalt Shingles

Since they’re two of the most commonly used shingles, it should come as no surprise that composite and asphalt shingles are often compared. After all, if you were getting a new roof put on, wouldn’t you want to know which material was best for your home?

Well, throughout the sections below, we compare composite shingles with asphalt shingles in terms of visual appeal, cost, and lifespan, and this information will certainly help you decide which roofing material is best for your home.

Composite shingles have been around for decades, and at present they’re one of the most popular kinds of roofing material, largely because they provide a range of advantages. Most composite shingles are made of recycled materials, and even those that aren’t are recyclable.

These shingles come in two styles: slate & cedar shake. Both styles are durable and long-lasting, and both resemble their respective natural counterparts.

Asphalt shingles have been around for more than a century, and today they’re still the most popular roofing option. The most commonly used asphalt shingle is the 3-tab design, though architectural and luxury shingles are popular as well.

The base of an asphalt shingle is a mat, and the mat can be made of organic materials (like cellulose fibers) or inorganic materials (like fiberglass). Organic mats are dipped in asphalt and coated with special opaque mineral granules, whereas fiberglass mats only require asphalt.

Composite slate and cedar shake shingles are very nice to look at, and some even say they look better than the natural roofing materials they’re meant to resemble.

Architectural and luxury asphalt shingles are also visually appealing, as they give a roof depth. Regular, 3-tab shingles, on the other hand, are fine, but they’re rather boring in terms of appearance.

So overall, if you want your shingles to boost your home’s appearance, choose composite shingles or higher-end asphalt shingles.

Composite shingles, whether we’re talking about slate or cedar shake, are much more expensive than architectural shingles—sometimes three to four times more expensive!

Usually, architectural shingles cost $4.50-$5.00 per square foot, whereas basic, 3-tab shingles cost anywhere from $1 to $2 per square foot.

Composite shingles command a higher price mainly because they’re manufactured with costly materials, they’re seen as high-end, they’re eco-friendly, and they last a long time.

Asphalt shingles usually last 20 to 30 years, whereas composite shingles last 40-50. Therefore, if you outfit your home with a composite roof—and provided it’s installed right and maintained well over the years—you could save in the long run, since replacement isn’t needed as often.

For nearly two decades, Lane’s Contracting, Inc. has been a go-to name for those needing residential or commercial roofing services, as we are experts in roof installation, repair, maintenance, replacement, and inspection.

Whether you want asphalt shingles, composite shingles, or another kind of roofing material, we’ll make sure you get a roof that’s not only sturdy and built-to-last but a masterpiece to the eyes as well.

Call us at (984) 355-9692 or visit us online to get a quote!