How much does it cost to install composite roofing?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Composite roofs are one of the most common roofing materials installed today due to their durability, affordability, and variety of both styles and colors. Composite roofing looks very similar to any other roofing material on the market and can imitate the look of wood, clay, or slate. The national average cost for the installation of composite roofing is between $15,000 - $25,000, with most people paying around $20,538 to install composite roofing on a 2,500 sq.ft. roof. 

Composite Roofing Installation Cost

What Is a Composition Roof?

Composite roofing is a mixture of a number of materials, including plastic, wood, asphalt, and laminate, to name a few. This combination of materials comes together to form a long-lasting shingle that can last anywhere from 30-50 years. Composite shingles can be made with additives to give them extra protection and resistance to UV rays, moss, or algae. The shingles can be made in almost every color, size, or shape and are manufactured from recycled materials. Composite roofing is reasonably priced due to its durability, longevity, and quality.

Composition Roof Cost per Square Foot

The average cost of installing composite shingles ranges broadly from $7.50 - $13 per sq. ft. installed. The total cost of the project will differ depending on the size of your roof. You can expect to pay more for a larger roof compared to a smaller roof. The chart below outlines the cost to install composition roofing for different roof sizes:

Composition Roof Cost by Type

Composition roofs can be categorized into three different types that differ in their appearance, cost, quality, and durability. The three different types of composition roofs include composition shingles, composition shakes, and composition tiles. The three different types of composition roofs are outlined in the table below, with their respective costs:

Composite Shingles

Composite shingles are made from a mixture of common roofing materials including fiberglass, polyester, plastic, paper, wood, etc. and are layered and bonded by resins or laminate. Composite shingles fall under two categories; fiberglass and organic, with three options available: 3-tab shingles, laminated, and architectural.

• 3-tab shingles^: 3-tab roofing shingles are the most basic shingles on the market, made from fiberglass and granules offering a variety of colors. 3-tab shingles are lightweight and designed to withstand elements for up to 20 plus years. 3-table shingles have a clean, horizontal, flat, one-dimensional appearance.
• Laminated: Laminated shingles, also referred to as dimensional shingles, are the most common shingle and double the thickness compared to the 3-tab shingle. Laminated shingles are extremely durable lasting upwards of 30 years. Laminate shingles are extremely durable with a life span of 30 plus years. They offer a multi-dimensional texture and appearance with two shingles affixed together to offer some depth.
• Architectural: Architectural shingles, also known as premium, heavy dimensional, or luxury shingles, are a premium shingle designed to replicate cedar shake or natural shake roofs. Architectural shingles have a multi-dimensional appearance that creates a nice shadow and depth. Architectural shingles offer maximum durability and can last for 50 or more years.

Like many other materials out there, the quality of the material of your shingles will largely affect the cost. Composite shingles are defined by their quality of grade, with higher-grade materials costing more but offering higher longevity. Composite shingles are categorized into four different grades: bargain grade, builder grade, value grade, and architect grade. ​

Composite Shake Shingles

Composite shake shingles mimic the authenticity and craftsmanship of real cedar shakes but excel in their durability, cost, and color stability. The cost of composite shake shingles ranges from $3.25-$9.50 per sq.ft.

Composite Roof Tiles

Composite roof tiles are a great option if you are looking for an architectural, Spanish home look. The cost of composite roof tiles ranges from $4-$6 per sq.ft.

Composite Roof Cost by Manufacturer

When doing your research on composite roof cost, you will notice the multiple brands and manufacturers on the market. Depending on the manufacturer and brand, you will notice that some are more expensive than others and the same products are fairly competitive between manufacturers. Below is a chart comparing composite roofing shingles across some of the top manufacturer brands:

Quarrix

Offers a double roman composite style tile that comes in 6 standard colors. Quarrix offers a 50-year warranty that is not transferable. The cost of Quarrix roofing ranges from $4.25-$8 per sq.ft.

Ecostar

Offers six different product lines of composite roofing 1. Some of the product lines include majestic slate 5 and empire slate 5 for a tidy and traditional look, majestic niagara and empire niagara slate 5 for a wider and thicker option, and Seneca shakes 8 for a smoother and more industrial look. Ecostar offers a 50-year warranty on all of their products. The cost of Ecostar roofing ranges from $5.75-$6.95 per sq.ft.

Inspire Roofing Cost per Square

Offers three different composite roof 1 lines including classic slate 5 for a traditional look in 14 different colors, aledora slate 5 for a more rustic look that comes in 11 colors blended or solid, and arcella shake 8 that can be straight or staggered. InSpire offers a lifetime (50 year) warranty which is transferable in the first 5 years. The cost of Inspire roofing per square foot ranges from $6-$10 per sq.ft.

Enviroshake Roof

Offers three different product lines including enviroshake, enviroshingle, and enviroslate. Each comes in a limited range of colors compared to the other brands. Enviroshake offers a lifetime (50-year) warranty that can be transferred throughout the warranty period above 25 years. The cost of Enviroshake roofing ranges from $7-$10 per sq.ft.

Ply Gem

Offers an engineered cedar shake that comes in 6 colors. The shakes are offered in straight or staggered edges in different widths. Ply Gem slate comes in 12 colors and 3 accent colors. Ply Gem offers a 50-year warranty that includes labor for 2 years and can be transferred two times in the first 10 years. The cost of Ply Gem roofing ranges from $7-$10 per sq.ft.

Brava Roof Tile

Offers composite roofing in barrel, shake, and slate styles. The shake and slate styles have a hand-cut appearance with a good visual aspect with lots of depth. There are 14 slate color options and 9 slate color options. The barrel tile style comes in more than 20 colors and is traditional in appearance. Brava offers a 50-year warranty that can be transferred during the entire warranty period. The cost of Brava Roof Tile ranges from $7.70-$11 per sq.ft.

CeDUR Roofing

Offers a single line of shakes that are similar to cedar shakes. These are quite expensive and are offered in 3 different colors. CeDUR offers a 50-year warranty full protection that is transferable in the first 5 years. The cost of CeDUR Roofing ranges from $8-$12 per sq.ft.

DaVinci Roofscapes

Offers seven different product lines. Some of the product lines include single-width shakes 8 for a uniform look, multi-width shingles/shakes, Bellaforte slate 5 and shake 8 value line, Davinci fancy shakes 8 for a machine-sawn appearance. All of the DaVinci products come in EcoBlend colors and stimulate shingles 7, slate 5, and real wood shakes 8. DaVinci offers a lifetime warranty on all of their products. The cost of DaVinci Roofscapes ranges from $8-$12 per sq.ft.

Composition Roof Installation Cost

Proper installation of your roof will determine its performance in years to come. When you opt into installing a composite roof, it is extremely important to hire a professional roofer/roofing contractor/or roofing company to do the job. Regardless of how much you think you know, you do not have the understanding or experience of a professional, so it is best to leave it in their hands. DIY’s that attempt to do this project on their own often spend more money hiring a professional company in the end to fix their mistakes.

Roofing companies typically charge per project which ranges from $20,000-$30,000, with the average homeowner spending around $22,000, including all of the materials and labor fees. Typically, the labor costs make up 60% of the total cost. The total cost will depend on many factors including the size and complexity of the roof, brand, old roof removal, quality of the material, fire rating, type of roof, and location.

The process of composite roof installation begins with preparing the old roof for installation, or in most instances with composite roofing; removing the old roof. While some shingles can be installed over an existing shingle roof, this can only be a one time process. The old shingles and underlayment are removed and the roof is examined to make sure it is in a good condition for the new roof installation. Depending on the size of the roof, this step can take up to 2 hours. After the old shingles are removed, a new underlayment is installed which is a waterproof membrane that helps to protect the roof from moisture. Next, it is time to lay out and install the composite shingles. The new shingles are installed downward, with each shingles being nailed into the one before it. Ridge caps and edging is applied to give the roof a finished appearance. Once the shingles are in place, there is the option of applying a roof sealant. A roof sealant is a great option for preventing future leaks and issues down the road.

Composite Roofing Cost Factors

Ultimately, whether the old roof has to be removed or not is going to affect the overall cost of a composite roofing installation project. While most composite roofing products can be installed directly over a previously existing roof that is in good condition, others require removing the old roof. You can expect to pay approximately $1.40 per square foot for the removal and disposal of old roofing.

Composite roofing materials with a class A fire rating can boost the cost, whereas lesser class C rating materials are often cheaper. Some composite roofing materials are offered in either class A or C, while others are available in either, but not both.

The complexity of the roof has the greatest impact on the cost of the project. For example, if you have a single-story, 4-corner home, with a low pitch, installation is quite easy and therefore quite affordable. If you have a multi-story home with many corners, and a steep pitch, it can take double the time to install a roof and therefore increase the cost due to difficulty.

Lastly, where you live can affect the overall cost of the roof installation project. The cost of living varies considerably across the country with higher pricing in Hawaii, Alaska, New England, and on the West coast. Prices tend to be lowest in the Midwest and South rural areas, and everything else in between.

Composition Shingles vs Asphalt

Oftentimes composite shingles and asphalt shingles are mistaken for the same thing, but they are actually different.

Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular types of shingles among homeowners due to their affordable prices. Asphalt shingles vary in color and styles with a flat appearance option or a more three-dimensional look. Asphalt shingles will last approximately 15-30 years depending on factors such as climate and pest exposure. Due to the weight of the shingles, the previous shingle roof needs to be removed first before asphalt shingles can be installed. Asphalt installation is one of the easiest and can take one to two days of labor depending on the size of the home.

Asphalt shingles are affordable and come in a variety of colors for easy customization. They are easier and faster to install than most shingles and very versatile. Unfortunately, they are prone to color loss/cracks and damage over time and might not be the best option for the long-term. In order to install asphalt shingles, the old roof has to be removed. Asphalt shingles are less durable than most and tend to absorb heat from the sun.

Compared to asphalt shingles, composite shingles are more expensive and if low-quality, it can freeze, soak or wrap, however, it can be installed over an old roof, it is lightweight, fire-resistant, and very durable, it is normally warrantied for up to 30-50 years. They are easy to install and come in a variety of different colors.

Metal vs. Composite Roof

Metal roofing comes in a variety of styles and different types of metal including aluminum, steel, zinc, copper, stainless steel, and titanium. They come in a variety of colors to match the home and styles vary including tiles, panels, or shingles. A metal roof will last at least 4 times longer than asphalt, needing no to very little maintenance. A metal roof is much lighter and therefore can be installed directly over the existing roof. Metal roofing takes a little bit longer to install due to the installation of plywood under the metal.

Metal roofs are a great option and provide a variety of pros. The pros to metal roofing include their durability, little maintenance, easy installation over an old roof, energy-efficient, recyclable, lighter materials, and longer warranties. The cons to metal roofing include more difficult installation and repair, they are more expensive, and you need proper insulation to avoid loud noise on the roof.

Compared to metal roofing, composite roofing is more expensive and if low-quality, it can freeze, soak or warp, however, it comes in a variety of different colors and it is fire-resistant, easy to install, and very durable, it is normally warrantied for up to 30-50 years. Both are lightweight and easy to maintain.

Composition Roof vs. Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles, also known as dimensional shingles, are shingles that have been laminated to give them a thicker 3-dimensional look. They come in a variety of textures, patterns, and color choices giving the roof a beautiful, expensive curb appeal. The average lifespan of an architectural shingle is 30 years. Architectural shingles are easy to cut and fit into corners, making them easier to install compared to other roofing materials. They do not require any extra support under them so even though they are heavier, they do not put as much stress on your roof.

There are many pros in purchasing architectural shingles including their high durability, aesthetic appeal, and energy efficiency. The cons with architectural shingles include their expensive cost and that they are heavier.

Compared to architectural shingles composite roofing is more expensive and offers less insulation, however, it is lighter, fire-resistant, very durable and it is normally warrantied for up to 30-50 years. Both come in a variety of colors and patterns and are fairly easy to install.

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Pros and Cons of Composite Roofing

Composite roofing materials have many different characteristics, both positive and negative, that can influence your decision on composite roof installation.

Composite roofing materials have a great curb appeal and similar comparison to the type of styles they mimic including slate tiles, ceramic tiles, and wood shakes. Any color or blend is possible with composite roofing materials due to their engineered process and they can last up to 50 years.

Another advantage of composite roofing material is its ease of installation. The process of installing composite shakes, shingles, and tiles, is very standard and can be compared to that of asphalt shingles. Composite roofing materials are much easier to work with as they are much lighter and do not require extra roof bracing compared to other materials.

Many of the composite roofing materials are fire-resistant class A; the top resistance rating for fire. Impact ratings range from 1-4, with 1 being poor and 4 being excellent.

Unlike other roofing materials, composite roofing materials require little to no maintenance at all due to their resistance against mold, stain, or algae. If you want to give it a clean, a light power wash is all that it would need.

Compared to the advantages of composite roofing, there are only a few cons. The cons of composite roofing include the initial cost and their low wind-resistance. The initial cost for composite roof installation can be very high compared to other roofing material options. You can expect to pay 2-3 times the amount compared to asphalt shingles, and 50% more than cedar shingles or shakes. Composite shingles are low wind resistant and there are no installation techniques to boost the resistance as there are with asphalt shingles.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Old Roof Removal

In some cases, you can shingle over the old roof, but in other cases, the roof must be removed. You can expect to pay approximately $1.40 per sq. ft. for the removal and disposal of old roofing. If you have two layers of shingles that need removal, you can expect to pay double this amount.

Gutters Installation

Gutters are a popular enhancement in order to direct water away from the home’s foundation. Gutters come in a wide range of materials, styles, and colors, adding to your homes curb appeal. Due to the variety of gutter options, there is a wide range of costs for a new gutter installation. The national average range is $900 - $5,000, with most people paying around $1,225 for 175 linear feet of installed seamless aluminum gutters with hidden fasteners and a factory finish.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Unless you have extensive roofing knowledge and experience, you should not attempt a roofing project yourself. If the roof is not installed properly, this can lead to many serious issues down the road.
• You are required to get a permit in order to install a new roof. The roofing company that is installing the roof can take care of the permit for you.
• Don’t hire the first contractor that you come across. It is very important that you get quotes from 3-5 contractors before selecting the one to go with. You want to make sure that they are experienced with the scope of work you need done, that they have good feedback from their references, and you also want to make sure that you are not getting ripped off.
• Similar to cedar shakes and asphalt shingles, composite shakes and tiles are sold in bundles. It is a good idea to purchase a few extra bundles to have some on hand in the event of damage by falling debris or wind.