Synthetic Roofing Shingles Guide: Cost and Style Explained

Are synthetic roofing shingles right for your home? The innovative alternatives to traditional asphalt shingles offer durability, maintenance ease, and have environmental benefits – but is the extra cost worth it as a homeowner?

Here at Legacy Roofing of Idaho, we always seek to educate our readers and local Boise homeowners with helpful roofing content. Today, in this article, we will compare synthetic shingles and give you the inside scoop on how they stack up in terms of cost, performance, and style flexibility. By the end, you will know whether synthetic roofing shingles are the right fit for your home!

Key Takeaways

• Synthetic roofing shingles offer several benefits, including durability with over 50 years of lifespan, low maintenance, high impact resistance, and fire—and weather-resistant, making them a reliable and eco-friendly roofing choice.
• Compared to other materials such as asphalt shingles, wood shake, and slate tiles, synthetic shingles provide a superior balance of longevity, cost-effectiveness, and easier installation, despite a higher initial cost.
• The aesthetic appeal of synthetic shingles stems from their diverse design options, colors, and customizability, enhancing home curb appeal and potentially increasing home resale value by approximately 7%.

The Advantages of Synthetic Roofing Shingles

Synthetic shingles, also known as composite shignles, are quickly increasing in popularity because of their immediate benefits including:

1. Durability
2. Low-maintenance nature
3. Fire and weather resistance
4. Eco-friendly composition

Like everything else, roofing materials have come a long way as technological enhancements have increased within the shingle industry. Let’s peel back the layers of this innovative roofing option to understand what sets it apart from the rest.

1. Durability and Longevity

Tucked away in the heart of durability lies the secret to synthetic shingles’ long lifespan. With a life expectancy that typically exceeds 50 years, these shingles are a testament to endurance in the face of nature’s tests. Their robustness is accredited to a Class 4 Impact Resistance Rating, ensuring that even the harshest of impacts leave minimal scars (they stay healthy longer).

Homeowners delight in the knowledge that these shingles can potentially last up to a century, a longevity that equates to fewer roof replacements and peace of mind.

2. Low-Maintenance Solution

Forget hiring someone to wash your roof; synthetic shingles offer a reprieve from the usual maintenance saga. Resistant to warping, mold, and critter damage, these shingles are a fortress against common roofing ailments. Add to this their steadfast color that defies fading, and you have a roofing solution that maintains its allure years down the line.

3. Fire and Weather Resistance

Synthetic shingles sport a Class A fire rating that speaks volumes of their ability to emerge unscathed from the clutches of flames. Their armory is well-equipped to combat more than fire; with a Class 4 impact rating, they stand tall against wind, hail, and even the relentless UV rays. The seasons may change, but the resilience of synthetic shingles remains constant, ensuring homes remain protected from harsh weather conditions year-round.

Brands like DaVinci Roofscapes amplify these properties with their innovative composite roofing materials, such as composite roof slate shingles, which are lightweight, resistant to wind damage and fire, and recyclable.

4. Eco-Friendly Material

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, synthetic shingles rise to the occasion. Their composition, rich in recycled materials such as plastics and rubber, contributes to a zero carbon footprint, a narrative that resonates with eco-conscious homeowners. The end of their service life on the roof is not the end of their journey; these shingles are fully recyclable, perpetuating their life cycle and reducing waste.

Brands like Euroshield and Enviroshake lead the charge with products that not only promise environmental friendliness but also come with transferable warranties, ensuring durability does not come at an environmental cost.

Comparing Synthetic Roofing Shingles to Other Materials

Transitioning from the benefits of synthetic shingles, one might wonder how they fare against other popular roofing materials. The decision to select a roofing material involves weighing factors such as:

• Curb appeal
• Lifespan
• Warranties
• Cost

In these arenas, luxury asphalt shingles, including architectural shingles and synthetic shingles, often outshine their counterparts, offering a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality that asphalt, wood shake, and slate struggle to match.

Let’s delve into a comparative analysis, scrutinizing key differences in durability, maintenance, and price, and unveiling why synthetic shingles are a cut above the rest.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles, the stalwarts of affordability, have long been the go-to for budget-conscious homeowners looking for an asphalt shingle roof. Their allure lies in their low cost and ease of installation, making them accessible to the masses. However, for those seeking a longer-lasting and more durable option, premium asphalt shingles can be a great alternative. Despite their average lifespan of 15-25 years and vulnerability to wind uplift and temperature extremes, asphalt shingles remain a popular choice.

Note: Here at Legacy Roofing Idaho, we install asphalt shingles, metal roofs, and we can also install composite shingles. That said, like synthetic roof shingles, asphalt shingles have come a long way and our GAF shingles are rated for 130 MPH winds with our roofing system installation.

Wood Shake

The rustic charm of wood shake roofing is undeniable, yet beneath its picturesque exterior lies a high-maintenance reality. Homeowners with wood shake roofs often find themselves grappling with issues such as leaking, curling shingles, and the unwelcome advances of moss. It is why many don’t even bother to use wood shake shingles.

Slate Tiles

Slate tiles exude elegance and timelessness, a roofing choice that carries with it the gravitas of centuries past. Made from natural slate rock, each tile is as unique as it is beautiful, with edges that tell a story of their hand-split origins. While synthetic slate shingles mimic this classic look with precision, they spare homeowners from the weighty and costly installation process that natural slate demands.

Though natural slate can be a century-long companion, synthetic slate’s affordability and ease of installation make it an appealing alternative for the modern homeowner. While synthetic slate’s expected lifespan is around 75 years, the absence of real-world data for confirmation makes it a hopeful yet uncertain promise.

Styles and Customization Options for Synthetic Shingles

The advantages of synthetic shingles go beyond their functionality, they also offer curb appeal and asethetic possibilities. With a plethora of designs including Barrel Tile, Cedar Shake, and Slate Tile, synthetic shingles cater to an array of architectural styles, ensuring that every home can wear its crown with pride. The ability to customize with a variety of colors and finishes means homeowners can achieve a look that is uniquely their own, reflecting their personal style and enhancing their home’s curb appeal.

Design Varieties

The design varieties of synthetic shingles are a homage to the natural materials they emulate. From the elegant old-world charm of slate to the rugged allure of hand-split wood shakes, synthetic shingles offer styles to suit different tastes and architectural leanings.

The advancements in the manufacturing process allow for these shingles to be crafted into smooth, uniform-sawn wood shingles or to bear the sophisticated appearance of slate shingles with an uncanny resemblance. A multi-coloring process during the production phase breathes life into these designs, creating highly realistic replicas that can fool even the most discerning eye.

Color Choices

Color is the soul of a home’s exterior, and synthetic shingles offer a palette broad enough to express any vision. The spectrum of colors available spans from the vibrant freshness of new cedar to the distinguished silvery shade of weathered shakes. These colors, resistant to the sun’s attempts at fading, streaking, or bleaching, remain as vivid as the day they were installed.

Homeowners can rest assured that their color choices will be a lasting declaration of their aesthetic preferences, as the multi-coloring process ensures the replication of natural variations with precision.

Customization Possibilities

The joy of personalization is fully realized with synthetic shingles, including the versatile composite roof tile. Whether the goal is to complement a Mediterranean villa or a modern minimalist structure, the designs of barrel tile, cedar shake, and slate tile can be tailored to any architectural style. The freedom to emulate natural materials like clay, wood, and slate without their inherent drawbacks opens a realm of customization options that go beyond the superficial.

Details such as simulated wood grain patterns and subtle shading variations contribute to a natural and diverse appearance, allowing each shingle to reflect the true beauty of the materials they represent.

Cost Considerations for Synthetic Roofing Shingles

In any home improvement endeavor, cost is a pivotal consideration, and roofing is no exception. Here at Legacy Roofing of Idaho, we try to always help homeowners make the best decision with regards to their budget and selecting roofing materials.

Synthetic shingles, with their higher upfront cost, may initially raise eyebrows, but a closer look reveals a financial narrative that plays out favorably over time. The long-term savings accrued through durability, reduced maintenance, and improved energy efficiency make synthetic shingles a sound investment in the long run.

Let us dissect the cost implications of opting for synthetic over traditional roofing materials, and understand how the initial investment paves the way for future savings and a sturdy return on investment.

Upfront Costs

When it comes to the initial investment, synthetic roofing shingles might seem like a big deal. Their complex manufacturing process understandably contributes to a higher price tag compared to materials like asphalt. However, the narrative of cost doesn’t end at the checkout. The higher upfront cost is deftly counterbalanced by the extended lifespan and the inherent durability of the material, assuring homeowners that their investment is one that will stand the test of time.

Long-Term Savings

The story of synthetic shingles is one of resilience and longevity. With a lifespan that can stretch up to 2.5 times longer than traditional asphalt shingles, these modern marvels ensure that roof replacements become a rare event rather than a periodic concern. The reduction in long-term maintenance needs and the potential for lower utility costs due to improved insulation are additional chapters in the tale of savings that synthetic shingles provide.

Moreover, by choosing durable synthetic materials for roofing, homeowners can sidestep the financial pitfalls of future costly roof replacement and take comfort in the warranties that underscore the product’s long-term economic security compared to other roofing materials.

Return on Investment

Homeowners paying attention to the bottom line will find that synthetic shingles offer an attractive return on investment. Not only do they boost the home’s curb appeal, but industry surveys also suggest that a new synthetic shingle roof can add approximately 7% to the home’s resale value.

Coupled with the peace of mind provided by comprehensive 50-year limited warranties, the investment in synthetic shingles proves to be a financially astute choice with tangible benefits.

Roofing Material Manufacturers – Synthetic Shingles:

Sometimes referred to as composite shingles or even composite roof tiles, the common makers of roofing materials that also produce composite shingles include:

Photo Credit.

Installation Process and Professional Assistance

The crowning glory of synthetic shingles is their professional installation, a process that includes:

1. Careful removal of old materials and inspection of the roof deck.
2. Addressing any underlying damage to ensure the new roofing stands on solid ground.
3. The meticulous layering of rafters, roof sheathing, and a synthetic water-resistant underlayment beneath the composite shingles themselves.
4. Detailed application of the shingles, with precise overlapping and secure nailing, to provide a shield against the elements.

This level of precision and care can only be guaranteed by professional expertise, making it essential to enlist the skills of experienced craftsmen like those provided by American Way Exteriors. Furthermore, synthetic shingles bring with them benefits such as ease of handling and a reduced likelihood of cracking compared to traditional materials, making the installation process a smoother affair.

The Verdict –

As we draw the curtains on our exploration of synthetic roofing shingles, it’s clear that they stand as a paragon of modern roofing solutions. Their unmatched durability, maintenance ease, climate resilience, and commitment to sustainability make them an attractive choice for homeowners seeking a long-term roofing solution. With the added allure of customization options that cater to diverse aesthetic preferences and the financial wisdom embedded in their cost-effectiveness, synthetic shingles are more than just a protective layer; they are an investment in the future of home design and environmental stewardship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a synthetic shingle?

Synthetic shingles, also known as composite shingles, are made of rubber and plastic, offering durability and lower maintenance compared to traditional shingles such as asphalt, slate, cedar, or clay tile. They also provide extraordinary curb appeal and are lightweight.

How long can I expect synthetic roofing shingles to last on my home?

You can expect synthetic roofing shingles to last for over 50 years, and with minimal repairs, they can even last up to a century.

Are synthetic shingles environmentally friendly?

Yes, synthetic shingles are environmentally friendly as they are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan, promoting waste reduction and a circular economy.

What kind of maintenance do synthetic shingles require?

Synthetic shingles are low-maintenance and resistant to warping, mold, and critter damage. When needed, replacing worn-out shingles is usually an easy DIY task.

Are synthetic shingles more expensive than traditional roofing materials?

Yes, synthetic shingles may have a higher initial cost but offer long-term savings due to their extended lifespan and reduced maintenance. Consider the overall cost before making a decision.