Who Should Evaluate Synthetic Roofing?

Synthetic shingles aren’t the right fit for every project or budget. Here’s where they make particular sense:

Homeowners Who Want the Look of Slate or Shake — Synthetic shingles replicate these profiles with accuracy that has improved significantly over recent product generations. If the aesthetic of natural materials is driving your roofing decision, synthetic is the practical path to it.

New Construction Projects — Installing a synthetic shingle on a new home means your roofing system has a strong chance of outlasting your mortgage. A 40 to 50-year product installed at the start of homeownership dramatically reduces total cost of roof ownership compared to a 25-year architectural shingle that will need replacement during your tenure.

Homeowners Prioritizing Low Maintenance — Synthetic shingles are resistant to moss, algae, UV fading, cracking, and warping. They don’t require the periodic treatment that cedar shake demands, and they don’t develop the brittleness that natural slate can exhibit after decades in freeze-thaw conditions.

Homes Where Weight Is a Factor — Synthetic shingles are significantly lighter than natural slate or tile, requiring no structural reinforcement. They install over standard decking using conventional methods.

Homeowners Seeking Insurance Savings — Most synthetic shingle products carry a Class 4 impact rating — the highest available — which qualifies for homeowner’s insurance premium discounts with many carriers.

How Synthetic Roofing Compares to Other High-Performance Options

Synthetic vs. Premium Asphalt — Both carry Class 4 impact ratings on most products. Synthetic shingles typically have a longer expected lifespan (40 to 50-plus years vs. 35 to 50 for premium asphalt) and a more convincing replication of natural materials. Premium asphalt is generally the lower upfront investment of the two. Our Premium Roofing page has more on that product category.

Synthetic vs. Natural Slate — Synthetic replicates the look at roughly a fraction of the weight and cost. No structural reinforcement required. Class 4 impact resistance that natural slate does not carry. Less fragility during installation and in service.

Synthetic vs. Cedar Shake — Synthetic provides the visual warmth of shake without the moss susceptibility, fire rating concerns, or maintenance requirements of real cedar. In Michigan’s climate, synthetic consistently outperforms natural shake on longevity and maintenance demands.

What Every Synthetic Shingle Installation Includes

Synthetic shingles install using methods similar to conventional asphalt products, but manufacturer specifications for these products are detailed and must be followed precisely to maintain warranty coverage. Every installation includes full deck inspection, drip edge, ice and water shield at all required locations, proper underlayment, new flashing at every transition, synthetic shingles installed to manufacturer specification, ridge vent and ridge cap, ventilation assessment, and complete post-installation documentation.

Installation quality matters as much with synthetic shingles as with any other roofing product — perhaps more, given the investment involved. We don’t cut corners on components or skip steps because the customer can’t see what’s underneath.

Synthetic Roofing FAQs

How long do synthetic shingles actually last? 

Most quality synthetic shingle products carry expected lifespans of 40 to 50-plus years. Some manufacturers offer warranties of 50 years or longer. Actual performance depends on the specific product, installation quality, and site conditions. We’ll walk you through the specific warranty terms for the products we recommend before you make a decision.

Do synthetic shingles look like the real thing up close? 

Product quality varies across manufacturers. Current generation synthetic shingles from leading manufacturers replicate natural slate and shake with a level of accuracy that most homeowners find compelling on the ground and from the street. We can show you examples from completed installations so you can evaluate the appearance directly.

Can synthetic shingles be installed on any home? 

They install over standard residential decking without structural modification, unlike natural slate or clay tile. Most residential structures are compatible. We’ll assess your specific roof geometry, deck condition, and any site-specific factors during your estimate.

What happens if a synthetic shingle gets damaged? 

Individual synthetic shingles can be replaced if damaged by impact or other causes. Because the material is manufactured rather than quarried or milled, matching is more straightforward than with natural slate. Availability of specific products years after installation is a factor worth asking about; we’ll address that during your estimate.

Is financing available for synthetic shingle projects? 

Yes. Synthetic shingle installations represent a larger upfront investment than standard asphalt products, and our financing partnership with Wisetack makes spreading that cost manageable. Visit our Financing page for current options including 0% APR for qualified applicants.

Serving Michigan, Ohio, Indiana & Wisconsin

Home Pro Roofing installs synthetic roofing systems throughout our full service area. View the areas we serve.

One Roof for the Life of Your Home. Let’s Make That Happen.

Synthetic roofing is the highest-performing residential shingle product we install. If you’re building new, replacing a roof that’s seen better days, or upgrading to a product that won’t need replacement again during your ownership, then synthetic shingles are worth a serious look.