"Composite shingles" means two different things depending on who is talking, which is why this comparison confuses people. In everyday roofing talk, "composition" or "comp" shingles often just means the standard fiberglass-asphalt shingle most Oklahoma homes wear; in marketing, "composite" usually means a synthetic polymer shingle designed to look like slate or wood shake.
Once you know which one a person means, the comparison gets simple. Fiberglass-asphalt shingles are the common, widely installed, widely available choice. Polymer composite shingles are a specialty product with a different look, a different price position, different installation instructions and fewer installers. Neither is automatically better; they solve different problems. This page keeps the comparison qualitative, because product details differ by manufacturer and change over time. Check everything here against current manufacturer documents. We do not list prices.
Key takeaways
- Ask what "composite" means in every quote. It may mean ordinary asphalt shingles, or it may mean a polymer shake or slate product.
- Fiberglass-asphalt shingles are the most common residential roofing in our market, with many product lines, colors, warranty options and installers.
- Polymer composite shingles are generally positioned as a premium specialty product, often chosen for appearance (slate or shake look) and sometimes for impact or fire ratings that vary by product.
- Impact ratings and warranties are product-specific. Never assume a category is rated; read the rating and the warranty for the exact product.
- Installation methods differ. A crew with plenty of asphalt experience is not automatically experienced with a given polymer product, and some manufacturers train and list installers for their lines.
- Matching, repair and long-term availability are worth asking about for any product that is not widely stocked.
What does "composite" mean in roofing?
Three meanings show up in real conversations.
- "Composition" shingles. Many people call ordinary asphalt shingles "composition" or "comp" shingles. They are made of a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and topped with mineral granules. If someone says "comp roof," they usually mean this.
- Polymer composite shingles. These are engineered shingles molded or formed from polymer-based materials, sometimes blended with other ingredients, to imitate slate, wood shake or tile. Manufacturers differ in their materials and claims, so descriptions here are general.
- Synthetic underlayment or composite decking. Sometimes "composite" is used loosely in other roofing contexts. That is not what this page covers.
When a homeowner says "I want composite shingles," the most helpful follow-up from a roofer is, "Do you mean a polymer shake or slate product, or just a standard architectural shingle?" You may be comparing entirely different budgets, warranties and installation requirements. If you want a standard-shingle comparison, we have written separate pages on architectural vs 3-tab shingles and on three popular architectural lines.
How do composite and asphalt shingles compare?
The table describes general tendencies. Individual products vary, and every row should be checked against the manufacturer's current data sheet or installation instructions.
| Topic | Fiberglass-asphalt shingles | Polymer composite shingles |
|---|---|---|
| What they are | Fiberglass mat, asphalt coating, mineral granules | Polymer-based engineered shingles, often styled as slate or shake |
| Availability | Very widely stocked and installed | Specialty product; fewer suppliers and trained installers |
| Appearance | Many colors and profiles; some mimic dimensional shake or slate | Often chosen for a realistic slate or shake look |
| Weight | Generally lighter than natural slate or tile | Often lighter than natural slate or tile; compare to asphalt per product (check the manufacturer’s specifications) |
| Impact resistance | Some product lines carry impact ratings; many do not | Some products carry impact ratings; verify per product (check the manufacturer’s specifications) |
| Fire rating | Rated by product and assembly; check the label | Rated by product and assembly; check the label (check the manufacturer’s specifications) |
| Wind rating | Product and installation dependent (check the manufacturer’s specifications) | Product and installation dependent (check the manufacturer’s specifications) |
| Installation | Familiar to most roofing crews | Product-specific instructions; training may be expected or required |
| Repair and matching | Many replacement options; color batch and discontinuation can still affect matching | Fewer sources; confirm repair parts and long-term availability |
| Warranty | Varies by line; terms and conditions matter | Varies by manufacturer; terms and conditions matter |
| Cost relationship | Generally lower up front | Generally higher up front; ask for itemized estimates |
| HOA fit | Often has approved colors and styles on file | May or may not be on the list; ask |
| Where it can fall short | Wear, granule loss and hail bruising over time | Cost, limited installers and product-specific details |
"Generally lower" and "generally higher" describe general relationships, not prices.
Why do people choose polymer composite shingles?
The reasons usually fall into three groups.
Appearance. A polymer slate or shake product can give a roof the profile of a more expensive natural material without natural material's weight. For homes where curb appeal or architectural style is a priority, this is the main draw.
Perceived durability. Some polymer products are marketed with long warranties and with impact or weather ratings. Those claims belong to specific products and should be read at the source. We do not repeat them here as general facts about the category.
Weight and handling. Natural slate and tile can be heavy. Polymer alternatives are typically described as lighter, which can matter for the structure; confirm with the manufacturer and, where needed, a structural professional.
Why do most Oklahoma roofs still use asphalt shingles?
Several practical reasons, none of them mysterious.
- Selection. Asphalt shingles come in many price points, colors and profiles, so a homeowner can usually find something that fits the home and the HOA.
- Familiarity. Almost every roofing crew installs them regularly, which makes scheduling, repairs and later service simpler.
- Impact options exist. Impact-rated lines exist in asphalt, which matters in hail country. Our comparison of Class 3 and Class 4 shingles goes through what those labels mean.
- Repair path. Replacing a few damaged asphalt shingles is a routine job when matching product is available.
That said, hail is not the only weather concern. Wind, heat, ice and the occasional tornado season are all part of the picture, so the answer to "which shingle" should start with the manufacturer's rating and warranty for the exact product, not with the category.
What is our crews' view?
Our crews install asphalt shingles day in and day out, and the owner has strong preferences among asphalt lines, including his favorite impact-rated and dark-color products. He has mentioned in his field posts that he works with HOA-approved shingle choices on many jobs and tends to call the HOA before committing to a color. That is the practical side of the decision: the best shingle for your house is the one that is approved where you live, matches the look you want, carries the ratings and warranty you need, and can be installed and repaired by people who know it.
Our crews' view is that a polymer composite product is a legitimate choice for the right house and the right budget, and that it should be installed by a crew that has been through that product's installation requirements. We would rather tell you "ask the manufacturer for their trained installer list" than pretend every roofing crew installs every product equally well. Whether a given polymer product is something we install, or can install on your roof, is a conversation to have with the crew; do not assume from this page.
Is composite vs asphalt shingles the right call for your home?
A reasonable way to decide:
- Define the word. Make sure the quote says exactly which product. "Composite" on an estimate is not a product name.
- Check your neighborhood rules. If you have an HOA, ask for the approved material, color and style list before you pick. Our page on HOA-approved shingle colors in Oklahoma walks through what to ask.
- Decide what you want from the roof. Appearance, impact resistance, wind rating, warranty length and budget do not all point to the same product. Rank them.
- Read the actual rating documents. For impact, wind and fire, look at the specific product's test documentation, not marketing language.
- Ask about installation. Who has installed this product before? Does the manufacturer require trained installers for the warranty?
- Ask about repairs. If part of the roof gets damaged later, what is the process and the supply chain?
- Ask about your insurer. Some insurers treat roofing materials and impact ratings differently when pricing or underwriting a policy. Policies differ; read yours and ask your agent before you decide.
- Compare itemized, written bids. Product name, line, color, accessories, underlayment, ventilation and warranty should all appear.
If you are mostly comparing standard asphalt options, start with the architectural comparisons linked above. If you are really considering polymer slate or shake, treat it as a separate project with a separate shopping list.
What mistakes do homeowners make comparing composite and asphalt?
- Assuming "composite" means the same thing in two quotes. One may be a standard shingle; the other a polymer product.
- Assuming a synthetic product is automatically impact-rated. Ratings belong to products and test results, not categories.
- Skipping the HOA. Approval is easier before the order than after the delivery.
- Ignoring installer experience. Product-specific instructions matter more when the product is less common.
- Comparing warranty headlines. A longer promise can come with more conditions; read both documents.
- Forgetting ventilation and underlayment. A roof is a system. An expensive top layer sitting on a weak system does not make the whole roof better.
- Not asking about matching and repairs. Particularly relevant if the product is not widely stocked.
- Treating this page as final. Check manufacturer documents, which can change.
What should you ask your roofer about composite shingles?
- Which exact product and line are you proposing, and who makes it?
- Is it a fiberglass-asphalt shingle or a polymer product?
- What are the impact, wind and fire ratings for this exact product, and where can I read them?
- What does the warranty require, and who stands behind it?
- Has your crew installed this product before, and does the manufacturer require trained installers?
- What underlayment, ventilation and accessories are specified for this product?
- How are repairs handled if a section is damaged later?
- Is this product acceptable to my HOA, and have you confirmed that?
Frequently asked questions
Are composite shingles the same as asphalt shingles? Sometimes. In casual talk, "composition shingles" often means standard asphalt shingles. In marketing, "composite" often means a synthetic polymer product made to look like slate or shake. Ask for the product name and the manufacturer.
Are composite shingles better than asphalt? It depends on what you want. Polymer products can offer a distinctive look and may carry strong ratings, but they also tend to cost more and have fewer installers. Asphalt shingles offer more choice and familiarity. Neither is better for every house.
Are synthetic shingles hail resistant? Some products carry impact ratings, and some do not. Check the specific product's rating and documentation rather than assuming. Our Class 3 and Class 4 comparison explains what those labels mean for asphalt lines.
Do composite shingles last longer than asphalt? Manufacturers publish warranties and service-life claims for their own products. We do not generalize across the category; compare each warranty's terms and conditions, and remember that installation and ventilation affect any shingle.
Are polymer shingles lighter than slate or wood? They are generally described that way. Whether a particular product is lighter than asphalt, or whether your roof structure needs any evaluation, is a question for the manufacturer's specifications.
Can I mix composite shingles with asphalt on the same roof? Some homeowners use different materials on different areas for aesthetic or practical reasons, but compatibility, flashing details and warranty terms matter. Ask the manufacturer and your roofer before planning a mixed-material roof.
Do HOAs allow composite shingles? Policies vary widely. Many HOAs maintain approved lists. Ask your HOA for the written guidelines before you order.
Does my insurer care what shingle I choose? It may. Policies differ; read yours and ask your agent. Do not assume a particular product will or will not change anything until you have asked.
Want help sorting out what the estimate actually says?
We can walk through shingle options with you, explain what each quoted product is and put the product name, line, accessories and warranty on an itemized written estimate. An inspection tells you about the roof; it does not predict or replace your insurer's decision, and we will not tell you otherwise. Call Total Roof Protection OKC at 405-415-5841, or see our roofing services.