A roofing system is one of the most crucial components of a house and is something that you want to make sure is installed correctly and will last you for many years to come. You may be tempted by the price tag of traditional asphalt roof shingles, but their granules break down over time, particularly under severe cold or heat. Asphalt shingle roofs require maintenance and repair more often than most other roofing materials which will offset the lower upfront cost over time.
If that sounds like a bummer, innovation and technology has given us the gift of synthetic roof shingles that are growing in popularity for good reason. Here’s a list of pros and cons of having a synthetic composite roofing system installed on your home.
Pros Of Synthetic Shingles
We’ll kick off this list with all the reasons you should seriously consider a synthetic shingle roof.
- Synthetic Shingles Are Durable
Some (not all) synthetic shingles are rated with a Class 4 Impact Resistance rating, which is the highest rating there is. This means that there is no better option for withstanding a barrage of hail or if a storm blows some tree branches on your roof, these shingles will hold up as well as any if not better. Bring on the hail storms!
- Synthetic Shingle Roofs Are UV Resistant
If you live in a particularly hot area, these shingles do a great job at maintaining their reliability even with the sun is constantly beating down on your roof. Asphalt shingles tend to weaken with the heat and eventually need shingle replacement or roof repair. Synthetic Shingles stand up to the strongest UV light and the brutal Texas Summers!
- Synthetic Shingles Are Wind And Moisture Resistant
There are many asphualt shingles that withstand up to 130-mph wind rating which will make it through several heavy storms and Category 3 Hurricane status. However, some synthetic shingles have passed test at 150 mph wind ratings. If you live in a place with temperamental weather, you’re going to want a roof that is built for it. With the wind often comes rain and one of the main jobs of your roofing system is to shed water and guide it away from the walls and foundation of your house. If it doesn’t do this well, it can lead to mold, rot, and algae buildup that can damage your roof. Fortunately synthetic shingles are very resistant to water as well as wind.
- Fire Rating
Not all roof shingles in the category of “synthetic” have a high fire rating, but there are some that have the highest Class A Fire Rating and you should accept nothing less. Given the high wildfire chances in Texas with it ranking #2 in the country for most wildfires you will want all the protection you can get out of your roof.
- Wide Variety Of Visual Designs
One of the coolest aspects of synthetic shingles is that they come in all sorts of different colors and texture styles. There are some that are made to look like asphalt shingles and some made to look like slate and others to look like cedar shakes. The best part is, these synthetic shingles give you a similar look while improving upon the weaknesses of these more traditional shingle types.
- Synthetic Shingle Cost Is Comparable To Slate Or Cedar Shakes
Synthetic shingles aren’t cheap, but neither are slate and shake style shingles. While you may pay more upfront for a synthetic shingle roof than one with asphalt, it will save you money in the long run as it will last longer and require less maintenance. You can keep those historic looking roof aesthetics with a more modern and durable product to protect the structure for decades to come.
- Synthetic Shingles Are Environmentally Friendly
Many synthetic shingles are made with recyclable materials and are themselves recyclable at the end of their long life. If you are interested in a roof with a lower carbon footprint, synthetic shingles are a no-brainer.
- Life Expectancy And Material Warranty
Though they are relatively new to the market, synthetic shingles are expected to be very long lasting. Most manufacturers are confident enough in their product that they offer lengthy warranties of up to 50 years. That’s about as good as any that you’ll find.
- Synthetic Shingles Are Low-Maintenance And Easy To Install
Due to clever design and the lightweight nature of synthetic shingles, they’re relatively easy to install. Because they are well built, extremely durable and have no granules, they require little to no maintenance over their lifetime. This is a big reason why a synthetic roof is worth the higher upfront cost.
Cons Of Synthetic Shingles
While there aren’t many cons of having a synthetic roof, there are a couple things to think about before you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
- More Expensive Than An Asphalt Shingle Roof
You’re going to pay more for a synthetic composite roof than you would for an asphalt shingle roof. However, as they say, “you get what you pay for”. Asphalt roofs may be a quick solution that will be the least expensive, but you will end up having to replace the roof sooner and won’t find the warranties available for them that you will for synthetic roofs. While synthetic roofs are more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs, they are in a similar cost range to shake or slate roofs, as well as metal roofs.
- Synthetic Shingles Are New To The Market
It may seem exciting to have the latest and greatest in roofing technology on your house, but the downside is that it hasn’t stood the test of time to prove that it will maintain its finer qualities for decades to come. However, the companies that make this product believe in it enough to guarantee its performance for up to 50 years all while experiencing the very worst conditions, so even if the shingles don’t measure up to the expectation, it will most likely be covered under warranty.
Let Roofing Turtle Take Care Of All Your Roofing Needs!
We can install all types of roofs, but we specialize in synthetic roofing made with a commercial-grade polymer that has the highest rating in impact resistance, fire rating and wind resistance. Get a quote by clicking this link and filling out your info or you can call 1-833-688-7853 to get the process started. Get the right roof to protect your shell!