How much does a composite roof cost?
How much does a composite roof cost?
$7 – $14 cost per square foot
$15,000 – $26,500 average total cost to install
Composite roofing cost
Composite roofing costs $7 to $14 per square foot installed or $15,000 to $26,500 on average, depending on the style and brand. Composite roof shingles are made from synthetic materials like recycled plastic and can be molded to look like natural slate, cedar shake, or Spanish tile.
| Roof size (square feet) | Average cost to install |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $7,000 –$14,000 |
| 1,500 | $10,500 – $21,000 |
| 2,000 | $14,000 – $28,000 |
| 2,500 | $17,500 – $35,000 |
| 3,000 | $21,000 – $42,000 |
| 3,500 | $24,500 – $49,000 |
*Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.
Composite shingles, tiles, and shake roofing prices
Composite roof prices are $6 to $18 per square foot installed, depending on the style. Composite roofing can be molded and colored to simulate the look of slate, cedar shakes, clay or terracotta tiles, or asphalt shingles.
| Type | Cost per square foot installed |
|---|---|
| Shingle | $6 – $12 |
| Shake | $6 – $18 |
| Tile | $6 – $14 |
| Slate | $9 – $12 |
Synthetic roof shingles cost
Synthetic roof shingles cost $6 to $12 per square foot installed. Synthetic shingles are also called composite or plastic roof shingles and are made with a blend of recycled plastic and polymer. In comparison, an asphalt fiberglass shingle roof costs $3 to $5 per square foot installed.
Synthetic and composite roof tiles cost
Composite roof tiles cost $6 to $14 per square foot installed. Synthetic roof tiles mimic the appearance of Spanish barrel tile but are not as heavy or fragile. In comparison, a natural tile roof costs $7 to 25 per square foot installed.
Synthetic cedar shake roofing cost
Composite shake shingles cost $6 to $18 per square foot installed, depending on the brand and quality. In comparison, a natural cedar shake roof costs $7 to $15 per square foot installed. Synthetic shakes cost more upfront to install but require less maintenance and last longer than natural wood shakes.
Tip: Composite shake roofing is faster and easier to install because the roofers can use a nail gun while natural cedar shake requires hand-nailing instead.
Synthetic slate roofing cost
A synthetic slate roof costs $9 to $12 per square foot installed, depending on the roof size, accessibility, and complexity. In comparison, a natural slate roof costs $10 to $30 per square foot. Synthetic slate roofing is lighter and more impact-resistant than natural slate.
Cost factors to install composite roofing
Composite roofing installation costs depend on the roof size, style, and complexity. Labor makes up approximately 50% of the total cost. Removing the old roof adds $1 to $3 per square foot.
The following factors also affect the cost to install composite roofing:
Roof size and shape – Multiple stories, split levels, dormers, chimneys, and complex roof shapes increase the cost.
Roof slope and pitch – Installation costs more for roofs with steep pitches due to the extra safety precautions required.
Fire rating – Composite roofing with a Class A fire rating costs more than Class C material but offers maximum fire resistance.
Brand – Premium composite roofing brands like DaVinci and CeDUR cost more.
Underlayment – Roofing underlayment costs $0.10 to $0.80 per square foot for materials. Roof replacement estimates typically include a new underlayment.
Rafters or trusses – Replacing roof trusses or rafters costs $5 to $14 per square foot. Roof replacement may require additional rafters or trusses, depending on the roof's condition and the new roofing material's weight.
Roof decking / sheathing – Replacing the roof decking costs $2 to $5 per square foot and may be required if the existing decking is damaged.
Roof repairs – Small roof repairs cost $150 to $1,000 to patch small leaks, while structural repairs to fix a sagging roof cost $3,000 to $6,000.
Pipe boots / Ventilation – Installing roof ventilation costs $200 to $700.
Soffits and fascia replacement – Replacing soffits costs $4 to $22 per linear foot. Replacing the fascia board costs $5 to $12 per linear foot.
Gutter installation/replacement – New gutters cost $5 to $15 per linear foot, while gutter replacement costs $6 to $17 per linear foot.
Drip edge – Drip edge installation costs $1.50 to $3.00 per linear foot and protects the roof edges and fascia.
Permits – Roof replacement permits cost $100 to $500, depending on location.
Composite roofing prices by brand
Composite roofing from popular brands like Brava, DaVinci, and EcoStar costs $300 to $1,000+ per square for materials alone. Most brands offer a 50-year or Limited Lifetime warranty.
| Brand | Price per square* | Styles available |
|---|---|---|
| Brava | $700 – $1,150 | Slate, shake, Spanish barrel tile |
| CeDUR | $800 – $1,600 | Shake |
| DaVinci | $400 – $1,200 | Slate, shake |
| EcoStar | $300 – $800 | Slate, shake |
| Enviroslate / Enviroshake | $570 – $1,000 | Slate, shake |
| Inspire | $600 – $1,050 | Slate |
| Quarrix | $430 – $950 | Spanish barrel tile |
*Not including installation.
Composite roof cost vs. asphalt shingles
Composite roofing should not be confused with asphalt composition shingles:
Composite roofing is made from recycled plastics, polymer, or rubber, and costs more than asphalt shingles but lasts longer.
An asphalt roof costs $3 to $5 per square foot installed. Asphalt shingles are also called "composition shingles" because they are composed of layers of fiberglass and asphalt.
| Factor | Composite | Asphalt composition |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per square foot installed | $7 – $14 | $3 – $5 |
| Lifespan | 40 – 50 years | 15 – 30 years |
| Environmental impact | Made from recycled materials | Made from petroleum products |
| Styles available | Slate, tile, shake, shingles | Shingles |
Pros and cons of synthetic composite roofing
Composite roofing is durable, fire and impact resistant, and comes in a variety of styles and colors. Synthetic composite roofing is less expensive and requires less maintenance than natural slate or tile but typically doesn't last as long.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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What is a composite roof?
Composite roofing is made from a mix of synthetic materials, including recycled plastic or rubber, resin, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyurethane, and other polymer blends. Composite roofing is also known as engineered or synthetic roofing and can be molded to look like slate, shingles, shakes, or tiles.
Composite roofing is more environmentally friendly than many other roofing options because it can be manufactured with recycled materials.
How long do composite roofs last?
Composite roofs last 40 to 50 years with correct installation and proper maintenance.
Getting estimates from composite roofing contractors
Before hiring a roofing company near you, be sure to:
Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.
Check their credentials:
State contractor license
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) certification
Confirm the roofing contractor has experience installing the composite roofing style and material you want. The nailing requirements for composite roofing differ by product and from the requirements for asphalt shingles.
Look at their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Choose licensed, insured, and bonded companies with 5+ years of experience.
Get a detailed written estimate, contract, and warranty before work begins.
When comparing quotes, confirm they include materials of the same quality and warranty.
Avoid companies with the cheapest quotes as quality may suffer.
Don’t pay in full upfront. Follow a payment plan instead.
Questions to ask
How long have you been in business?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How many composite roofs have you installed in the past year?
Can you provide references from past work?
Are you NCRA-certified?
Do you have any composite roofing manufacturer certifications?
Do you provide a free estimate?
Which brand of synthetic roofing do you recommend, and why?
Does the estimate include tearing off the old roof?
How long will the project take?
What will you do in the event of unexpected bad weather?
How will you access my roof? What safety precautions will you take?
Will you obtain any necessary permits?
How long is the warranty, and what does it include?