What Is a Composite Roof? A Quick Guide

The roof is one of the most important parts of your home that ties everything together, provides structural support, and protects you and your family. With all these expectations, your roof must withstand the elements and be aesthetically pleasing too! 

There are many roofing materials, and when people think of durability, their minds may go to traditional materials, like slate or clay tiles. These are great options, but they have disadvantages: they are heavy, expensive, and can still be damaged under certain conditions. However, there is another option that’s better: composite roofing. 

What is a Composite Roof?

A composite roof—also referred to as a synthetic roof—is constructed using tiles made of recycled and sustainable materials. These materials are blended and pressed into molds to give the tiles the resemblance of traditional materials like wood, slate, and clay tile. What makes them different from traditional materials and other roofing materials is that they are extremely durable. 

Most Common Types of Composite Roofing Materials

There is more than one composite roof material. Often, composite tiles are a combination of different materials, which lends to their durability. Some of the most well-known materials are recycled plastic and rubber, but other potential materials include:

• Polymers: Polymers tend to be the “backbone” of composite tiles that gives them strength and flexibility and makes them weather-resistant.
• Crushed Stone: Stone adds weight to the tiles and texture, which helps create a more realistic appearance. It also helps make them fire-resistant.
• Pigments and Dyes: This helps complete the tiles’ look by providing realistic, long-lasting color in various options.
• Additives: Additives depend on the manufacturer, and can be added to make the product more durable.

Most composite roofs are made using recycled materials, so they are a sustainable product that can easily be recycled at the end of its lifespan.

9 Advantages of Composite Roofing

Composite roofing has many benefits that make it a great option for any homeowner looking for a reliable, long-lasting roof.

1. Realistic Looking Tiles

Everyone loves the look of wood shingles or wood shake and real slate and clay tiles, however, they don’t love the price, weight, fragility, or the other issues that come with them. Composite tiles are created from casts made of these traditional materials, which gives them a realistic appearance without any of the drawbacks. 

2. Fire Resistance

Many areas have banned wood roofs due to fire concerns. Composite roof materials eliminate these concerns because they are fire-resistant, falling between Class A and Class C. Class A fire ratings are the highest a product can receive, and products with this rating are safe to use even in California, where there are strict building codes due to the wildfires.

3. Sustainability

As mentioned before, composite tiles are sustainable products, often made with recycled materials. This allows homeowners to recycle them at the end of their lifespan without worrying about adding them to landfills.

4. Durability

Composite roofs aren’t just fire-rated, they also display a significant amount of durability. In fact, many composite roofing brands offer Class 4 impact ratings, the highest impact rating roofing products can have.

5. Weather-resistant

Because of their durability, composite roofs are also extremely weather resistant. In other words, composite roofs are typically able to withstand some of the troubling storms, including tornadoes and hurricanes. Plus, many composite roofing products, such  as the ones offered by FL Specialty roofing, can endure wind speeds of up to 200 mph or more.

6. UV-Resilience

Another element of the weather is heat and sun, which composite roofing has no problem dealing with. In fact, composite roofs have UV-resistant properties that actually help prevent them from fading. Unlike other roofing materials, composite roofing materials are able to withstand prolonged exposure to heat and sun all year long.

7. They Are Lightweight

One of the biggest benefits is that composite roofs are low-maintenance. Once installed, you won’t have to do anything other than clean them every so often. 

8. Better Warranties

Although this may come as surprising to some, composite roof also have better warranties than other roofing materials. Some composite roof warranties last up to 50 years. 

9. Insurance Rates

It’s also important to note that homes or buildings with composite roofs typically have lower insurance premiums than those without them. Considering that the roofs are lighter, more durable, and more weather resistant, insurance companies tend to find composite roofs a less risky option to insure.

What is a Composite Roof Best for?

Composite roofs have unlimited possibilities. While you will primarily find them in residential buildings, other potential applications exist:

Multi-Family Homes

In many areas, multi-family housing owners opt for composite roof materials due to their durability. Not only do these materials offer more durability than traditional options, they are also more attractive and can bring new residents.

HOA Communities

Composite roofing materials are also an excellent choice for HOA communities. Because they are durable, they can help HOAs reduce the amount of maintenance.  Additionally, composite roofing comes in various styles and colors, which help HOA communities maintain a cohesive, attractive appearance that also gives homeowners a way to differentiate themselves from others. Not to mention, they can be extremely cost-effective in the long run.

Townhomes

Another great place to use composite roofing is on townhomes. The reason is, the durability of composite roofing materials helps townhomes maintain their appearance with almost no maintenance required. Whether the townhome is leased or owned, there’s no need to worry about repairing or replacing the roof. It just continues to look beautiful year after year.

Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings are also turning to composite roofs for their buildings because of the durability they offer. Whether it is a shopping center, church, or other building, they want the most protection possible, and there is no better option than composite tiles. In fact, many historical buildings have been preserving the exterior structure of the buildings by using composite roofing tiles.

Public Buildings

Public buildings used for government, museums, hospitals, etc., can have a more classic look. Traditionally, this can mean having costly roofs of materials like clay or slate, which can become damaged in bad weather. A composite roof will allow them to maintain that look while getting a more durable, protective option.

High-End Composite Roof Brands We Offer

At FL Specialty Roofing, we dedicate ourselves to premium roofing services using the finest composite materials. We offer two top brands: Brava and DaVinci:

Brava Roofing Tiles

Brava Roofing Tiles offer the best alternative to traditional Spanish clay and concrete, slate, and cedar shake roofing. Their composite tiles are aesthetically and architecturally pleasing and are much more durable than traditional roofing materials, including their natural counterparts. All three tile options come in a variety of beautiful, natural colors.

DaVinci Composite Roofing

DaVinci Roofing offers the authentic look of cedar shake and natural slate which eliminates the need for maintenance, repairs, and replacements. These products are modeled after real products and have a non-repeating design that adds authenticity. Both products come in various natural color options, keeping with the aesthetically pleasing, realistic appearance.  

5 Common Questions About Composite Roofing

1. How Long Does a Composite Roof Last?

High-quality composite roofing can last 50 years or more once installed.

2. What Are the Best Composite Roofing Materials?

Most brands use recycled plastics as the base for their composite tiles. The plastic is combined with other materials to help create the durability for which these products are known. 

3. How Do You Install a Composite Roof?

Installation methods for composite roofing can vary by brand. If you are installing yourself, it is important to read the instructions that come with the tiles carefully, as they will give you directions specific to the product. While it can be a DIY project, hiring a fully-certified roofing contractor to do the job may be best, because they will have experience and be more comfortable with the task.

4. What Climates Are Best for Composite Roofing?

Composite roofs are extremely weather resistant, which makes them the perfect option for any climate. For hot climates like Florida or the areas of California under Title 24, there are also Cool Roof options, which provide optimal comfort.

5. Do Composite Roofs Save Energy?

Yes! Composite roofing does save energy. For one, these types can be more insulating than other materials, which makes it easier to maintain a steady temperature in your home. Cool Roof options also reflect sunlight, which keeps temperatures inside cooler during summer. Both of these help save you money on your utility bills.

A Future in Composite

Times are changing; more and more homes and buildings in Florida are stepping away from traditional Spanish tiles and slate roofing. Instead, they are opting for a better alternative: composite roofing, which gives them the look they desire without the weight, maintenance, cost, or potential for damage. Installing a composite roof will be the best decision you ever make for your home, and you can trust FL Specialty Roofing to get the job done right! 

Check out our online gallery, and contact us today to start your journey towards luxury roofing.