5 Advantages of Synthetic Shingles Over Their Traditional Counterpart

Synthetic shingles are the epitome of roofing innovation. Their constant modernisation reflects the prevailing needs of homeowners and the trends shaping the roofing industry.

Articulating what makes synthetic shingles special highlights the differences between various types of roofing shingles on the market, while enabling roofers to provide customers with more options and help them make an informed decision. Discover how time has moulded today’s synthetic shingle roofing products and their inherent advantages over their traditional counterparts.

How Synthetic Shingles Have Evolved Over Time

In the mid-19th century, asphalt became a viable roofing material after the supply of coal tar diminished and the petroleum industry grew.

In 1903, Henry Reynolds, a roofer from Grand Rapids, Michigan, invented the first asphalt shingle. Its first iteration was hand-cut 8-inch by 16-inch asphalt-saturated rolls topped with stones — a bold departure from fire-prone wood shingles.

In the 1910s, mechanisation streamlined the process of cutting individual shingles from continuous ribbons of asphalt-saturated felt. Mass production and ease of transportation made this alternative to wood and slate roofing products more affordable. In the 1920s, the first strip shingle saw the light of day. In the ‘50s, the roofing industry standardised the three-tab format.

The composition of asphalt shingles changed as government policies shifted. For example, the British government banned asbestos in 1985, forcing roofing manufacturers to seek less hazardous reinforcements like cellulose fibres.

Eventually, roofing companies adopted rubber and polymer. They experimented with compositions blending asphalt, polymers and fibreglass to push the envelope of synthetic shingle design.

Numerous design upgrades have reduced the use of asphalt, allowing synthetic shingles to deviate from their traditional counterparts and merit a separate category. Contemporary synthetic roofing shingles feature more or less the same modern components, except they contain recycled and recyclable content. Incorporating more circular materials makes them appealing to homeowners hoping to reduce their carbon footprint by being more mindful of the products they buy.

5 Advantages of Synthetic Shingles

Many homeowners gravitate toward asphalt shingles because they’re economical. They generally cost less per square foot than the lowest-grade synthetic shingles on the market.

Roofers should do more than say that synthetic shingles are superior to traditional three-tab products. They should communicate these five advantages to sell the real value of synthetic shingle roofing.

1.  Mimicking Shakes and Tiles More Convincingly

Many synthetic shingles are laminated, lending them unmistakable dimensionality. Their textured appearance and sense of depth allow them to masquerade as the natural roofing materials that inspired them. Most can’t say the same about the three-tab shingles, which look clean but lack strong character.

Dimensional shingles rarely look incongruous when used to crown period home styles, such as Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian. Synthetic shingles can preserve a property’s kerb appeal, as most casual observers can’t tell that they aren’t authentic wood or slate roofing at a glance.

2.  Being Available in More Aesthetic Options

Synthetic shingles are available in dozens of styles, textures and colours. Manufacturers use advanced techniques to add chisel marks and grain patterns, emulating the handcrafted appearance of cedar shakes or slate tiles.

The texturing and colouring phase of the synthetic shingle manufacturing process opens a world of aesthetic possibilities. Each product feels distinct, unlike the cookie-cutter look of traditional asphalt shingles.

3.  Withstanding the Rigours of Weather Better

Every synthetic shingle product undergoes rigorous testing to meet industry standards for weatherability — like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fan-induced method for evaluating the wind resistance of steep-slope roofing products, including polymer-based and metal shingles and clay and concrete tiles. Engineers refine the composition of materials to balance affordability and durability, developing different grades for different budgets.

Properly installed synthetic shingles remain in place during extreme weather events and are less susceptible to hail damage. In contrast, traditional asphalt shingles are vulnerable to the elements. Three-tab pieces are more likely to end up on the ground due to high winds, necessitating more frequent repairs.

4.  Delaying the Spread of Fire

Synthetic shingles contribute to fire safety. They’re inherently less flammable, which helps isolate flames instead of fueling blazes.

The fire resistance of synthetic shingles may help British homeowners save on home insurance. Home insurance premiums in the United Kingdom have steadily increased lately, rising 14% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024 and following a 21% jump in the same period in 2023.

5.  Having Lengthier Warranty Protection

Roofing brands know synthetic shingles can last many times as long as three-tab products, as evidenced by up to 50 years of warranty coverage. The lengthy nonprorated portion of the warranty reflects a manufacturer’s confidence in a product’s long-term performance.

Highlighting Synthetic Shingles’ Advantages

Synthetic shingles represent the middle ground between time-honoured natural materials and asphalt. Understanding and articulating synthetic shingles’ unique strengths should help roofers provide more value to homeowners and generate more sales.