BuildCompared

Composite vs Asphalt Shingles

On this page "composite" means synthetic roofing tiles made of polymers, shaped like slate or shake. (Some people also call asphalt shingles "composition" shingles.) The composite tiles we checked are heavier than asphalt and need a steeper roof: Brava's report lists about 304 lb (shake) and 310 lb (slate) per 100 square feet and a minimum slope of 4:12, while CertainTeed Landmark weighs 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet) and asphalt shingles are allowed from 2:12.[1, 2, 3]

Sources checked How we compare

Composite (polymer)

Composite slate: individual molded tiles laid in staggered courses
Molded tiles that look like slate or shake

Pick composite if you want the look of slate or shake, your roof is 4:12 or steeper, and you want a product rated Class A fire and Class 4 impact.[1, 4]

Asphalt shingles

Architectural shingles: two laminated layers with tabs of different sizes
Laminated asphalt shingles

Pick asphalt shingles if your roof is between 2:12 and 4:12, or you want the lighter, more common roof.[1, 2, 3, 5]

At a glance

Composite (polymer)Asphalt shinglesSource
Material Brava: a proprietary blend of polymers and additives; DaVinci: virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers and a fire retardant a mat made entirely of glass fibers, surfaced with an asphalt coating, with mineral granules [1, 4, 5]
How it is approved Evaluation report under ICC-ES AC07 (special roofing systems) Code material standard ASTM D3462 [1, 3]
Weight per square (100 sq ft) Brava: about 304 lb (shake) and 310 lb (slate) per 100 square feet CertainTeed Landmark: 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet) [1, 2]
Minimum slope Brava: 4:12 2:12 (code) [1, 3]
Fire class Brava: Class A or Class C depending on deck and underlayment; DaVinci Province Slate: Class A fire and Class 4 impact GAF Timberline HDZ: Class A (UL 790) [1, 4, 6]
Fasteners Brava: two per tile (nails or screws) at least four per strip shingle, or two per individual shingle [1, 3]
Warranty DaVinci: lifetime limited material warranty GAF architectural: Lifetime, 10 years non-prorated [4, 7]

What "composite" means here

The word is used loosely. On this page, composite roofing means molded polymer tiles made to look like slate or shake: Brava's are a proprietary blend of polymers and additives, and DaVinci's are virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers and a fire retardant.[1, 4] Asphalt shingles are a mat made entirely of glass fibers, surfaced with an asphalt coating.[5]

Weight and slope

Brava's ICC-ES report lists an installed weight of about 304 lb (shake) and 310 lb (slate) per 100 square feet, and a minimum roof slope of 4:12.[1] CertainTeed lists its Landmark architectural shingle at 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet), and the code allows asphalt shingles from 2:12.[2, 3]

How they are approved

Asphalt shingles have a material standard written into the code, ASTM D3462.[3] Polymer tiles are approved through evaluation reports; Brava's report uses ICC-ES AC07 (special roofing systems).[1] Fire class can depend on the assembly: Brava is Class A or Class C depending on deck and underlayment.[1]

Ratings and warranty

DaVinci lists Province Slate as Class A fire and Class 4 impact, with a lifetime limited material warranty.[4] GAF's architectural shingles carry a Lifetime limited warranty with 10 years of non-prorated coverage.[7]

Cost

We did not find a neutral, published installed-cost comparison for composite roofing and asphalt shingles, so this page does not show one.

Common questions

Are composite shingles the same as composition shingles?

Not on this page. Composite here means polymer tiles such as Brava (a proprietary blend of polymers and additives); composition shingles usually means asphalt shingles.[1]

Are composite roofs heavier than asphalt?

In the products we checked, yes: Brava lists about 304 lb (shake) and 310 lb (slate) per 100 square feet, CertainTeed Landmark 217 to 229 lb per square (100 square feet).[1, 2]

What is the minimum slope for composite tiles?

Brava's evaluation report sets 4:12.[1]

Sources

  1. ICC Evaluation Service (copy hosted by Brava Roof Tile) ESR-4756, Brava One Cedar Shake and Brava One Slate Roofing Tiles (Issued November 2025, renewal November 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  2. CertainTeed Landmark Shingles Technical Data Sheet (copy hosted by RCABC) (03/23). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  3. California Building Standards Commission 2025 California Residential Code, Section R905 Requirements for Roof Coverings (effective January 1, 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  4. Westlake Royal Building Products (DaVinci Roofscapes) Province Slate product page. Accessed November 3, 2026.
  5. Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed November 3, 2026.
  6. GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles spec sheet (RESGN467HDZ) (January 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  7. GAF GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (RESWT160L) (Form RESWT160L-0426, for installations after January 1, 2025). Accessed November 3, 2026.

We did not install or test these products. Everything on this page comes from the documents listed above. If a source changes, numbers here may be out of date until our next check. Spot an error? Email [email protected].