Composite Roofing

Composite Roofing in Maine: Synthetic Slate & Shake

The look of slate or cedar shake with modern polymer performance. Here's how composite compares with asphalt, metal, and natural materials, and whether it's right for your home.

Get a free estimate Call (207) 360-ROOF

The look of slate and cedar, engineered

Composite roofing (also called synthetic slate or synthetic shake) is an engineered polymer tile molded from real slate and hand-split cedar. It sits between asphalt and natural materials: more character and longevity than shingles, without the weight, cost, or upkeep of the real thing.

The composite brand we install is Brava Roof Tile. This page covers the category as a whole; see the Brava page for product lines, colors, and warranty details.

At a glance

Looks like natural slate or cedar shake from the street
Doesn't absorb water; handles Maine freeze-thaw cycles
Class 4 impact ratings; Class A fire-rated assemblies available
Far lighter than natural slate or clay tile
Costs more than asphalt, far less than natural slate

Get a free estimate Call (207) 360-ROOF

Coastal Maine home featuring a composite shake roof with deep shadow lines

Composite vs. asphalt, metal, cedar, and slate

Material	Relative cost	Typical lifespan	Pros	Cons
Composite (synthetic slate / shake)	$$$	Up to 50-yr limited warranty	Slate or cedar look, Class 4 impact, no rot or moss, light	Higher upfront cost than asphalt
Architectural asphalt	$	About 20–30 years	Lowest cost, fast install, many colors	Shorter life, granule loss, less character
Standing seam metal	$$$	40–60+ years	Sheds snow, very durable, modern look	Metallic look isn't right for every home
Real cedar shake	$$–$$$	About 15–30 years on the coast	Authentic natural wood	Treatment, moss, curl, rot, fire rating
Natural slate	$$$$	75–100+ years	Extreme lifespan, classic look	Very heavy and expensive, specialty repairs

Compare in more detail: architectural asphalt, standing seam metal, and metal roofing.

What does composite roofing cost in Maine?

As a rule of thumb, composite runs roughly 2–3x the price of architectural asphalt and is comparable to standing seam metal. Natural slate typically costs considerably more once weight, structure, and specialty labor are factored in.

What moves the price: roof size and pitch, number of layers to tear off, dormers, valleys, and chimneys, decking repairs, and which profile you choose. We give a line-itemed written quote after an in-person inspection, or get a free estimate. Financing options are available.

Pros and cons of composite roofing

Pros: authentic slate or shake appearance; no rot, splitting, or moss; color molded through the tile; strong impact ratings that may help with insurance; lighter than natural slate or clay; long warranty coverage.

Cons: higher upfront cost than asphalt; requires an installer trained on the specific product; fewer installers than asphalt, so it's worth choosing carefully.

Who composite is right for

Coastal capes, shingle-style summer homes, historic colonials, and any home where the look of cedar or slate is part of the architecture but the maintenance and weight of the real material aren't worth it. It's also a good fit if you want a premium roof without the metallic look of standing seam. It's less ideal when budget is the main driver and architectural asphalt would do the job, or on very simple homes where the profile detail is lost.

Why we install Brava

After evaluating the category, we chose to install Brava Roof Tile as an authorized contractor, available in Cedar Shake, Old World Slate, and Spanish Barrel Tile.

Frequently asked

Common questions

What is composite roofing?

Composite (synthetic) roofing is an engineered polymer tile molded to look like natural slate, cedar shake, or clay tile. Color runs through the material, and it doesn't absorb water, rot, or split the way natural materials can.

How much does a composite roof cost in Maine?

Composite typically costs roughly 2–3x architectural asphalt and lands close to standing seam metal, well below natural slate. Final pricing depends on roof size, pitch, complexity, tear-off layers, and the profile chosen, so we price every roof from an in-person inspection.

Is synthetic slate better than real slate?

Natural slate can last a century but is very heavy, expensive, and often needs structural reinforcement and specialized repair crews. Synthetic slate gives a similar look at a fraction of the weight and cost, with strong impact ratings, but it won't match the extreme lifespan of top-grade natural slate.

Is synthetic shake better than real cedar in Maine?

For most Maine homes, yes. Real cedar on the coast often needs treatment and can curl, moss, and rot within 15–25 years. Synthetic shake keeps the hand-split look without the ongoing maintenance and is available in Class A fire-rated assemblies.

Is composite heavier than asphalt?

Slightly in most profiles, but far lighter than natural slate or clay. Most residential framing handles it without modification; we confirm during the inspection.

Which composite brand do you install?

We install Brava Roof Tile as an authorized contractor: Cedar Shake, Old World Slate, and Spanish Barrel Tile profiles. See our Brava page for product details.

Composite Roofing across southern Maine

Local roofing notes for towns we serve, including:

Yarmouth, Maine York Harbor, Maine Kennebunkport, Maine Kennebunk, Maine Cape Elizabeth, Maine Falmouth, Maine All service areas →

Ready when you are

A roof is a long decision. Let's get yours right.

No pressure, no gimmicks. Just a free estimate, an exact written quote, and a roof built for Maine weather.

Get a free estimate Call (207) 360-ROOF