Composite Shingles: What They Are and How They Compare to Asphalt

"Composite shingles" can mean two different things, so it is worth knowing which one a roofer or a website is talking about. Most of the time it means synthetic shingles: roofing tiles molded from plastics or resins to look like cedar shake or slate, sold by makers such as DaVinci Roofscapes and Brava. But "composition shingles" (or a "comp roof") is also an old name for ordinary asphalt shingles, which are built from a fiberglass mat, asphalt and granules. The two are very different products, with different weights, looks, ratings and installers.

We are Patriot Roofing and Restoration in Maumelle, and we replace and repair roofs across Central Arkansas. We do not install synthetic composite roofing. We install Atlas asphalt shingles as our primary line and steel roofs, so this post explains both meanings plainly, what the makers of synthetic shingles say about their products, and how to decide what fits your home.

Meaning 1: synthetic composite shingles

Synthetic, or composite, shingles are made to look like a natural material, usually cedar shake or slate, without being wood or stone. They are molded panels rather than layered sheets of asphalt, and each manufacturer uses its own recipe. Here is how two well-known makers describe theirs on their own websites (checked November 6, 2026):

• Brava: Brava says its composite roof tile "is made of compressed recycled plastics & other sustainable materials." It lists a Class 4 impact rating, a Class A or C fire rating (the page gives both, so the rating depends on the product and how it is installed), and a 50-year limited warranty on its composite roofing materials. Brava also lists wind resistance up to 188 mph with ring shank nails and up to 211 mph with high wind screws.
• DaVinci Roofscapes: DaVinci, a Westlake Royal Building Products brand, says its shake is "made of virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers, along with a highly-specialized fire retardant." It lists a Class 4 impact rating, a Class A fire rating and a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty on homes, with a 50-year warranty on commercial projects.

Two things to notice. First, neither page names the test standard behind its impact rating, so if a Class 4 rating matters to you (for example for an insurance discount), ask for the product's data sheet or listing that shows the UL 2218 result for the exact product being quoted. Second, fire and wind ratings often depend on the installation method, the underlayment and the fasteners, so ask how the roof will be installed to earn the rating on the brochure.

Meaning 2: composition shingles, which are asphalt

If an insurance adjuster, a home inspector or a listing sheet says your house has a "composition" or "comp" roof, it almost always means asphalt shingles. GAF describes a composition roof as one "made up of shingles created from a combination of materials that typically include fiberglass, asphalt, and granules," and says composition roofs "are typically referred to as asphalt-shingle roofs." The fiberglass mat is the base, the asphalt coating keeps water out, and the granules on top protect the asphalt from the sun and give the shingle its color.

So if you are reading an inspection report on a Central Arkansas home and see "composition shingle," you are almost certainly looking at the same kind of roof most of your neighbors have. You can learn more about how they are put together in our post on how asphalt shingles are made.

How to tell which one you have

• Look at the shape. Asphalt shingles come in long strips with a layered, textured face (the Atlas architectural shingles we install measure 42 by 14 inches). Synthetic shake and slate come as individual pieces cut and shaded to look like split cedar or stone.
• Look at the surface. Asphalt shingles are covered in loose-feeling mineral granules. Synthetic tiles have a smooth or molded surface with no granules.
• Check the paperwork. A roof warranty registration, a past invoice or the inspection report from when you bought the home will usually name the product.

Synthetic composite vs asphalt: what actually differs

Look

Synthetic shake and slate are made to copy natural materials, and that look is the main reason people choose them. Architectural asphalt shingles have their own layered, dimensional look rather than copying wood or stone. Whatever you are considering, look at full-size samples and at finished roofs in person, not just a photo or a small chip.

Hail

Hail is the big question in Central Arkansas. Both makers above list a Class 4 impact rating for their synthetic products. Asphalt shingles range widely: some carry no impact rating at all, while impact-rated lines carry Class 3 or Class 4 under UL 2218. Among the Atlas lines we install, Pinnacle Impact and StormMaster Shake are Class 4, and Pinnacle Pristine and Pinnacle Sun are Class 3. So the choice is not "synthetic for hail, asphalt for everything else." You can get a Class 4 rating either way. Our guide to impact-resistant shingles explains what the classes mean.

Warranty

Read what the warranty covers, not just its length. Atlas shingles carry a Lifetime Limited Warranty on single-family homes, and "lifetime" there means the lifetime of the original owner, not the roof. When Patriot installs and registers a full Atlas system (qualifying shingles, hip and ridge, underlayment and another Atlas accessory) within 60 days, the roof qualifies for the Atlas Signature Select system warranty, with a 20-year Premium Protection Period on StormMaster Shake and 15 years on the Pinnacle lines. On top of the manufacturer's warranty, every Patriot replacement carries our written guarantees, including the Patriot Leak Free Guarantee for your package term. For a synthetic roof, ask the same questions: what is covered, for how long without proration, whether labor is included, and whether the installer has to be approved by the maker.

Algae streaks

Arkansas humidity is hard on roofs, and black algae streaks are common on older shingle roofs here. Atlas factory-applies 3M Scotchgard Protector to its Pinnacle and StormMaster Shake lines, which carry a lifetime algae warranty under Atlas's standard warranty. If you are looking at a synthetic product, ask the maker what it says about algae and fading.

Who can install it

Asphalt shingles are installed by most residential roofing crews, and repair shingles and parts are easy to get. Synthetic roofing is a specialty product with its own installation instructions, starters and ridge pieces. Before you sign, ask the roofer how many synthetic roofs they have installed, whether the maker lists them as an approved installer, and who will repair it after a storm.

Lifespan

We tell homeowners to plan on 15 to 20 years for an asphalt shingle roof in Arkansas. Manufacturer ratings assume milder climates, and our heat, humidity and storms shorten that. Synthetic makers describe long lives for their products (DaVinci says its shake "will last many decades"), but we have not installed synthetic roofs, so we do not publish our own figure for them. Ask any installer for the warranty in writing and for addresses of local roofs they put on years ago.

What Patriot installs instead

If you came here looking for a durable, good-looking roof that stands up to Arkansas hail, here is what we offer:

• Atlas asphalt shingles. Atlas is our primary line, and we are an Atlas PRO+ contractor at the Gold level. We install StormMaster Shake, Pinnacle Impact, Pinnacle Sun, Pinnacle Pristine and ProLam. Our Guardian package uses a Class 4 impact-rated shingle with a 10-year Patriot Leak Free Guarantee, Defender uses a Class 3 impact-rated architectural shingle with a 5-year Patriot Leak Free Guarantee, and Shield uses a standard architectural shingle with a 2-year Patriot Leak Free Guarantee. If you need a different shingle brand, for example to match an HOA rule, we install that on request.
• Steel roofs. Our Armor package is a 26-gauge PBR steel panel roof, Class A fire rated and built for hail up to 2 inches, with a 15-year Patriot Leak Free Guarantee. We also install standing seam metal. See our metal roofing page and our comparison of metal roofs vs shingles in Arkansas.

Our asphalt shingle roofing page shows how the shingle packages compare. A Class 4 roof may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount, but that varies by insurer, so ask your agent before you choose.

Frequently asked questions

Are composite shingles the same as asphalt shingles?

It depends on who is talking. "Composition shingles" is a common name for asphalt shingles. "Composite shingles" usually means synthetic shingles made from plastics or resins to look like shake or slate, which are a different product.

Are composite shingles Class 4?

Brava and DaVinci both list a Class 4 impact rating for their synthetic products. Ratings belong to specific products, so ask for the data sheet for the exact product you are quoted. Class 4 is also available in asphalt, such as Atlas Pinnacle Impact and StormMaster Shake.

Does Patriot Roofing install synthetic composite shingles?

No. We install Atlas asphalt shingles as our primary line, other shingle brands on request, and steel roofs (our Armor PBR package and standing seam). We do not install synthetic composite or stone-coated steel.

Is my home's "comp roof" worth repairing?

Often, yes. Most "comp" roofs are asphalt, and we repair asphalt roofs every day. A repair visit is $79.99 for non-members (no fee for Patriot Care Club members) and includes our 21-point inspection, and repairs carry the 365-Day Patriot Leak Free Guarantee.

Talk through your options

If you are weighing a synthetic roof against Class 4 asphalt or steel, we are happy to look at your home and walk you through what we install. Contact us for a free storm or replacement inspection with a 21-point report and photos, and a written estimate for each package.