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Composite Plastic Roof Cost (Homeowners Guide 2024)
Average Composite Plastic Roof Cost: $10,880–$16,320
Here’s what we’ll cover in this guide to composite plastic roof costs:
- Are composite plastic roofs are far more durable than asphalt roofs?
- Can composite plastic roofs increase the energy efficiency of your home?
- What is the average cost per square foot of a composite plastic roof?
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Composite plastic roofs, also known as polymer or synthetic roofs, are primarily made of plastic or rubber. These plastic roofing shingles may also have fiberglass or asphalt elements.1
The majority of composite roofs are made of recycled materials that would otherwise be dumped in a landfill. Composite plastic roofs last 30 to 50 years — much longer than the average asphalt roof.
Composite plastic roofs are made to look like high-end roofing materials such as tile, slate and cedar shake roofing. Some homeowners consider composite plastic roofs to be a cost-friendly alternative to more expensive, natural roofing materials.
Cost of Installing a Composite Plastic Roof
The cost of a new composite plastic roof is between $10,880 and $16,320 for a full installation on an average-sized roof of 1,700 square feet.
The material cost of a composite plastic roof is between $4 and $6 per square foot. That equates to $400 to $600 per roofing square.
Keep in mind that the size, slope and complexity of your roof will largely influence the final cost of your roofing project. Labor typically accounts for 60% of your total cost.
How to Calculate the Cost of Your New Composite Plastic Roof
Here is a basic equation to calculate a rough estimate of how much the materials for your new composite plastic roof will cost:
$4 x the size of your roof in square feet = Low-end cost of a composite plastic roof
$6 x the size of your roof in square feet = High-end cost of a composite plastic roof
Keep in mind that this is not an estimate for the total cost of your project. Your final project cost will include the cost of removing your old roof (if necessary), installing new underlayment and decking (if necessary), and hourly labor.
To get the most accurate estimate for your roof installation, we highly recommend consulting with a trusted roofing professional. Select one of our top providers below to get started.
Factors That Go Into Composite Plastic Roof Pricing
The cost of a new roof is individualized to each home. If you’re considering a new roof installation, make sure to consider the following when determining the final cost:
- How much are roofing materials?
- How much will labor cost?
- Are there roof removal or dump fees?
- What is the size and complexity of your roof?
Material Pricing for Composite Plastic Roofs
The basic material cost for composite plastic roofing is around $4 to $6 per square foot. That will add up to around $6,800 to $10,200 for a 1,700-square-foot roof (note that this estimate does not incorporate labor costs).
Basic Labor Cost and Time to Complete Composite Plastic Roof Installation
The national average rate to hire a roofer is $75 per hour. However, this can vary drastically depending on where you live.
A composite plastic roof is a lightweight material, meaning that it is easier to transport and install than heavier roofing materials like tile or slate roofs.
However, because polymer roofs are a relatively new development in the roofing industry, not every roofing contractor is familiar with installing this type of roof. That means you may end up spending more time looking for a roofing installer.
Removing Your Current Roof and Dump Fees
Removing your old, existing roof may incur additional costs. Your roofer will usually help you dispose of the old materials, but make sure to establish who is responsible for this task before the roofing project begins.
Remember: most roofing materials can be recycled. Call your local solid waste management or recycling center to learn about facilities in your area.
In general, it will cost between $30 and $50 to dump a truckload of old roofing shingles off at a waste management facility.
Size and Complexity of Your Roof
Roofing materials are priced by the square foot (or by roofing square, which is 100 square feet), so the larger your roof, the more you’ll pay in material costs.
You’ll also pay more in labor costs if you have roof features that make the installation project more complex. That includes skylight windows, multiple roof tiers, ventilation systems and dormers.
Not sure how much your new roof will cost? If you’d like a free, personalized estimate on a composite plastic roof from one of our recommended roof installation companies, select one of our top providers below.
Pros and Cons of Installing Composite Plastic Roofs
All roofing materials have their pros and cons. Before you decide if a composite plastic roof is right for you, discuss your options with a reputable roofing company and weigh the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros of Composite Plastic Roofs
- Lasts longer than asphalt: Traditional asphalt shingles last 15 to 30 years, while composite plastic roofs last 30 to 50 years and require little maintenance.
- Mimics the look of other roofing materials: Composite plastic roofs can be made to closely mimic the look of tile, cedar shake or slate without the high price point.
- Lightweight: Unlike tile or slate, composite plastic roofs are lightweight enough to be installed without any additional roof reinforcement. The light material also makes transport and installation easier.
- Made of recycled materials: Most composite plastic roofs incorporate discarded plastic and rubber materials that are melted down and repurposed into roofing shingles. This helps divert landfill waste.
Cons of Composite Plastic Roofs
- May crack or warp: The plastic component of composite roofs could mean that your roof is vulnerable to cracking in freezing temperatures. Plastic roofs are not ideal for climates that experience extreme winters.
- Plastic does not biodegrade: Although many composite plastic roofing companies claim that their shingles can be recycled, there’s a good chance that these facilities don’t exist in your area. Plastic does not biodegrade in landfills, and the plastic life cycle from development to disposal is directly linked to climate change.1
- Relatively new technology: Composite plastic roofs are a relatively new development in the roofing world. That means that the exact lifespan, durability and environmental impact of these roofs are still unknown.
- More expensive than asphalt: Although composite plastic roofs are a cheaper alternative to high-end roofing materials like slate or tile, replacing your roof with a composite plastic roof will still cost you more than an asphalt roof.
Lifetime and Durability of Composite Plastic Roofs
Composite plastic roofs can last 30 to 50 years with very little maintenance. Many companies that sell composite shingles will even offer a 50-year warranty.
One thing to look out for is cracking or warping during very cold weather. The plastics in composite plastic roofs may not be completely resilient against winter weather. For that reason, this type of roof is not ideal for climates that experience very cold winters.
What Is the Difference Between Composite and Synthetic Roofs?
A composite plastic roof is an overarching term for any roof that is primarily made of plastic or petroleum-based materials. Synthetic roofs are made up of many compressed materials including plastic and rubber, so for all intents and purposes, composite and synthetic roofing materials are the same thing.
You can watch this video to learn more about synthetic slate roofing:
Are Composite Plastic Roofs Environmentally Friendly?
The jury is still out on whether or not composite plastic roofs are environmentally friendly. On one hand, most composite plastic roofs are made with recycled plastic and rubber materials. That’s good news, especially considering most asphalt shingles are only made up of 15% or less recycled materials.
But we also have to consider the end-of-life impact of composite plastic roofs. Plastic does not biodegrade, and when your roof ends up in a landfill, it will stay there for hundreds of years.
Composite plastic roofs might be able to be recycled, but because composite roofs are relatively new to the market, infrastructure to support this type of recycling is not available everywhere.
Another aspect to consider about composite roofs is their energy efficiency. When selecting a composite roof, choose a shingle that is coated with light-colored pigments to maximize your energy savings.2
If you need help selecting the right roof for you, we recommend speaking with a trusted roofing professional. Select one of our top-recommended roofing companies below if you’d like to get started.
Financing Your New Composite Plastic Roof
A new roof isn’t cheap. However, you do not have to pay the full cost of your new roof upfront, and there are options available to alleviate some of the stress of paying for a new roof. Here are the most popular roof financing options available:
- Financing through your roofing company: Most roofing companies either offer in-house financing options or can connect you with a trusted third-party lender to find the best loan for you. And yes, that does include no-money-down and low-interest loan options.
- Taking out a home equity or home improvement loan: A home equity loan allows you to use your home as collateral to secure a low-interest loan. If you do not have much built-up equity in your home, you can take out a home improvement loan instead. How much you pay interest will depend on your income level and credit history.3
- Note: If you live in a low- or moderate-income household, you may be eligible for an FHA Title 1 loan. The FHA (Federal Housing Association) helps homeowners secure fair, low-interest loans by guaranteeing lenders against losses.4
- Filing a claim with your home insurance or home warranty: If you are replacing your roof after your home sustained damage from a weather event or unavoidable accident, you may be able to have your roof paid for by your home insurance or home warranty provider.
The ROI of Your Composite Plastic Roof
You can recover the majority of the cost of a new roof through increased home value. Cost versus value assessments have shown that, as of 2022, the return on investment for a new roof is nearly 60%.5
If you’re ready to connect with a professional roofer to discuss your project, look no further. We’ve done the research, and you can click below to get in contact with one of our top-rated roofing companies.
Costs of Maintenance and Repairs for Composite Plastic Roofs
The plastic elements of your composite plastic roof will generally protect your home from roof leaks, mold and mildew. That being said, cold weather could make this roof type vulnerable to cracking. In this case, you’ll have to replace the damaged shingles.
The cost to replace a square (100 square feet) of composite plastic roofing will be between $400 and $600.
When choosing a roofing product, you want to look for a material with a Class A fire rating and a Class 4 impact rating. Choosing a material with superior impact resistance and fire resistance will mean that your roof system is resilient to harsh weather conditions and accidents.
Choosing a durable synthetic roofing product can help you save on roof repair costs later down the road.
Cost of Cleaning your Composite Plastic Roof
A plastic roof absorbs little to no water, so mold and algae growth on your composite plastic roof is unlikely. This means that you will not have to clean your composite plastic roof as frequently as other roof types.
You’ll still want to clean your roof every few years, or as needed. The average cost to hire a professional roof cleaner is $400.
Are Composite Plastic Roofs Worth the Cost?
Composite plastic roofs are slightly more expensive than asphalt roofs, but they last twice as long as asphalt, on average.
Composite plastic roofs are also far cheaper than the slate tile, clay tile or cedar wood roofing they seek to imitate. Some say that composite roofs look just the same as the high-quality materials they mimic, while others would argue that the thin, shiny qualities of plastic just aren’t the same.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you. Everyone has different priorities when looking for a new roof, and a composite plastic roof may be a great option for your home.
FAQ: Composite Plastic Roof
Composite plastic roofs can be a good investment because, despite being more expensive than asphalt shingles, they last longer and can be designed to mimic high-end roofing materials like slate or tile. Synthetic slate and tile roofs have a very similar appearance to the natural slate or tile roofs they are designed to look like, so plastic roofing tiles can be a great investment.
Composite plastic roofs are suitable for solar panels. The lifespan of a composite plastic roof is longer than the lifespan of the average solar panel, so you won’t have to worry about removing and reinstalling your solar panels during a roof replacement. If you are installing a new composite plastic roof, consider installing solar panels at the same time as the roof installation.
A composite plastic roof can last 30 to 50 years, compared to just 15 to 30 years for traditional asphalt shingles.
