By The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Composite roofing is a synthetic shingle or tile molded from polymers, resins or recycled plastics and rubber to mimic natural slate, cedar shake or clay tile, made by brands like DaVinci Roofscapes, Brava Roof Tile, F-Wave and EcoStar. HomeGuide’s composite roof cost guide (November 2025) puts it at $7 to $14 per square foot installed, or $14,000 to $28,000 for a 2,000 sq ft roof, with a 40 to 50 year life. The flagship lines carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating. DaVinci and F-Wave publish a Class A fire rating, while Brava reaches Class A only in specific listed assemblies. At roughly 158 to 367 lb per square on maker sheets, composite weighs a fraction of the 800 to 1,000 lb per square HomeGuide gives for natural slate.
One caution before you shop: composite roofing is not the same as composition roofing. That single letter changes the material, the price, and the lifespan: composition means asphalt shingles, which our 2026 roofing cost report puts at $5 to $8 per square foot installed for architectural grades. Synthetic composite polymer shingles are also marketed simply as synthetic shingles.
Composite vs composition: why the terms get confused
Composite roofing means synthetic polymer shingles that imitate slate or shake. Composition roofing (also called comp shingles) means standard asphalt shingles. The names sound alike, but HomeGuide’s composite guide prices composite at $7 to $14 per square foot installed against $3 to $5 for asphalt composition, and lists lifespans of 40 to 50 years against 15 to 30. On a 2,000 sq ft roof, confusing the two moves a quote by $8,000 or more at the low end of those ranges.
Composition shingles are built from a fiberglass mat saturated in asphalt and topped with mineral granules. Our 2026 cost report puts architectural asphalt at $5 to $8 per square foot installed. If you are researching those, see our full breakdown of composition shingles versus asphalt, which is a separate material class from synthetic composite tile.
Composite (synthetic) shingles are molded from polymer blends with UV inhibitors built in. DaVinci describes its tiles as virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers, in profiles from 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch thick; EcoStar says its tiles use up to 80% upcycled polymers; and Brava describes its tiles as recycled closed-cell plastics. When a salesperson says “composite,” ask whether they mean asphalt comp shingles or a named synthetic line such as DaVinci Multi-Width Slate. The answer can double the budget.
| Feature | Composite (synthetic polymer) | Composition (asphalt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core material | Molded resin, polymer, or recycled plastic and rubber | Fiberglass mat and asphalt | Maker sites; HomeGuide |
| Installed cost per sq ft | $7 to $14 | $5 to $8 (architectural) | HomeGuide, Nov 2025; Roofing Brief 2026 cost report |
| Typical lifespan | 40 to 50 years | 15 to 30 years | HomeGuide, Nov 2025 |
| Weight per square | About 158 to 367 lb | About 184 lb (GAF Timberline HDZ) | Maker sheets, compiled in our weight report |
| Look it imitates | Slate, cedar shake, clay barrel tile | Its own flat or dimensional profile | Maker sites |
Synthetic shingles: another name for composite roofing
Synthetic shingles and composite shingles are the same product. When a manufacturer or contractor says synthetic shingles, they mean the molded polymer tiles on this page: DaVinci, Brava, F-Wave REVIA and EcoStar lines engineered to look like natural slate or cedar shake. F-Wave, for example, calls REVIA XTM a one-piece synthetic shingle made from “a proprietary blend of commercial-grade polymers” with no granules and no asphalt. HomeGuide prices synthetic roof shingles at $6 to $12 per square foot installed, synthetic shake at $6 to $18, synthetic tile at $6 to $14, and synthetic slate at $9 to $12.
If the slate look is what you are after, the synthetic slate and tile options break down further in our composite slate and tile roofing guide.
What is composite roofing made of?
Composite roofing is made from one of two material families. DaVinci Roofscapes, now part of Westlake Royal Building Products, molds its tiles from virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers. EcoStar’s product pages say its tiles contain up to 80% upcycled polymers and carry a UL Environmental Product Declaration, and Brava’s website describes its tiles as made from recycled closed-cell plastics.
DaVinci says its slate and shake tiles are modeled from actual slate and hand-split shake, sold in single-width and multi-width options, with profiles from 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch thick, so an installer can stagger widths and avoid a repeating pattern. F-Wave sells REVIA in Designer Slate, Classic Slate, Estate Series and Hand-Split Shake profiles.
Because the material is polymer rather than asphalt or stone, it does not absorb water like wood shake or rot. The fire and hail ratings are the measurable differences: DaVinci and F-Wave publish a Class A fire rating (ASTM E108 / UL 790), Brava and EcoStar list Class A or Class C depending on the formulation and assembly (for Brava, per QAI report CERUS-1014), and all four list UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance, the 2-inch steel ball test.
Composite roofing cost: per square foot and per square
Composite roofing costs $7 to $14 per square foot installed, or $700 to $1,400 per roofing square (100 square feet), per HomeGuide’s November 2025 guide. Materials alone run $300 to $1,000-plus per square by brand, and HomeGuide’s roof-size table runs from $7,000 to $14,000 for 1,000 sq ft to $24,500 to $49,000 for 3,500 sq ft. HomeGuide also notes Class A fire-rated composite costs more than Class C material, and that premium brands such as DaVinci and CeDUR cost more.
Because a roofing square equals 100 square feet, per-square math is the fastest way to sanity-check a quote; see how pros use that unit in our explainer on how big a roofing square is. A 2,500 sq ft roof is 25 squares, so at HomeGuide’s $7 to $14 range it lands at $17,500 to $35,000 before tear-off, deck repair or framing upgrades.
| Brand / product | Material $ per square (HomeGuide) | Profiles | Published ratings | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DaVinci Roofscapes | $400 to $1,200 | Slate, shake, single and multi-width | Class 4 impact, Class A fire, 110 mph straight-line wind | HomeGuide, Nov 2025; Westlake Royal |
| Brava Roof Tile | $700 to $1,150 | Slate, cedar shake, Spanish barrel | Class 4 impact; Class A fire only in listed assemblies, Class C otherwise | HomeGuide, Nov 2025; QAI report CERUS-1014 |
| F-Wave REVIA XTM | Not listed by HomeGuide | Slate and shake shingles | UL 2218 and FM 4473 Class 4, Class A fire, ASTM D7158 Class H | F-Wave website |
| EcoStar | $300 to $800 | Slate, shake | Class 4 impact, Class C or A fire, ASTM D3161 Class F wind | HomeGuide, Nov 2025; EcoStar |
| CeDUR | $800 to $1,600 | Shake | See maker | HomeGuide, Nov 2025 |
Installed totals add labor, tear-off and any deck work to those material prices. HomeGuide lists roof decking replacement at $2 to $5 per square foot and rafter or truss replacement at $5 to $14 per square foot where needed. For a broader budget view across every material class, our roofing materials comparison puts composite next to asphalt, metal, tile, and slate on cost and lifespan.
Composite roofing brands: DaVinci, Brava, and F-Wave
The three composite brands most homeowners compare are DaVinci Roofscapes, Brava Roof Tile, and F-Wave. DaVinci and Brava are molded-tile systems that install one tile at a time like real slate or shake, while F-Wave’s REVIA XTM is a one-piece synthetic shingle that a customer quoted on F-Wave’s site says installs “just like asphalt shingles.” All three publish UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings. DaVinci and F-Wave publish Class A fire ratings, while Brava’s Class A depends on the tile formulation and underlayment.
DaVinci Roofscapes is part of Westlake Royal Building Products. Its Multi-Width Slate and Bellaforte lines are modeled from natural slate and shake, and Westlake Royal lists a Class A fire rating, Class 4 impact rating, 110 mph straight-line wind rating, testing to 180 mph hurricane-zone winds, and a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty on the Multi-Width Slate page. HomeGuide puts DaVinci materials at $400 to $1,200 per square.
Brava Roof Tile offers composite slate, cedar shake, and a synthetic Spanish barrel tile, which is unusual in this category. Brava’s website lists a 50-year limited warranty, a Class 4 impact rating, and tiles made from recycled materials. For fire, QAI report CERUS-1014 lists Class A only for Brava’s Class A or Brava One formulation over specific underlayments, and Class C for other assemblies. HomeGuide puts Brava materials at $700 to $1,150 per square. For pricing on the barrel look, see our synthetic Spanish roof tiles cost guide.
F-Wave sells REVIA XTM synthetic shingles. F-Wave lists Class A fire (ASTM E108), Class 4 impact under both UL 2218 (2-inch steel ball) and FM 4473 (2-inch ice ball), ASTM D7158 Class H wind (150 mph), and the TAS-100 wind-driven rain test. It also offers a 5-year, 2-inch hail warranty covering materials and labor, which F-Wave says asphalt shingles do not offer.
EcoStar is the recycled-content option in this group. Its product pages say the tiles contain up to 80% upcycled polymers, and list a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, ASTM D3161 Class F wind resistance, and a 50-year limited material warranty. Its fire listing is UL 790 Class C or Class A, so specify the Class A assembly if your code or insurer requires it. HomeGuide puts EcoStar materials at $300 to $800 per square, the lowest of the brands it lists.
Best composite roofing brands ranked by use case
Ranked by use case, DaVinci Roofscapes leads for premium slate looks, Brava Roof Tile for tile and Spanish-barrel profiles, EcoStar for recycled content and lowest material price, and F-Wave for the strongest published hail warranty. This is an editorial ranking based on published manufacturer specs, warranty terms, and HomeGuide’s November 2025 pricing, not independent lab testing by The Roofing Brief.
| Rank / best for | System | Core material | Impact / fire | Warranty | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Premium slate look | DaVinci Roofscapes | Virgin resin, molded tile, 1/4 to 5/8 in thick | Class 4 / Class A | Lifetime Limited Material | Westlake Royal |
| 2. Tile and barrel profiles | Brava Roof Tile | Recycled closed-cell plastic, molded tile | Class 4 / Class A in listed assemblies, otherwise Class C | 50-year limited | Brava website; QAI CERUS-1014 |
| 3. Recycled content, lowest material price | EcoStar | Up to 80% upcycled polymers | Class 4 / Class C or A | 50-year limited material | EcoStar; HomeGuide |
| 4. Hail warranty | F-Wave REVIA XTM | Commercial-grade polymer blend, one-piece shingle | Class 4 (UL 2218, FM 4473) / Class A | 5-year, 2-inch hail, materials and labor | F-Wave |
Specs and warranty terms differ line by line within each brand. See our full DaVinci Roofscapes review and Brava Roof Tile review for the model-by-model breakdown, and compare synthetic slate against real stone in our faux slate roof guide. EcoStar’s recycled-rubber line gets its own EcoStar synthetic slate roofing review. For a recycled-tire alternative, which its QAI code report lists as Class C for fire, see our review of Euroshield recycled rubber roofing.
Composite vs real slate: cost, weight, and lifespan
Composite slate costs $9 to $12 per square foot installed versus $10 to $30 for natural slate, per HomeGuide’s slate roof cost guide. Natural slate weighs 8 to 10 lb per square foot (800 to 1,000 lb per square) by HomeGuide’s figure, against about 158 to 367 lb per square for the composite slates in our weight report. The National Park Service’s Preservation Brief 29 says properly installed slate lasts 60 to 125 years or longer; HomeGuide gives composite 40 to 50.
Weight is the deciding factor on many homes. At 800 to 1,000 lb per square, natural slate can need added rafters or trusses, which HomeGuide prices at $5 to $14 per square foot where required. Composite at 158 to 367 lb per square sits in the same band as a laminated asphalt shingle (about 184 lb per square for GAF Timberline HDZ), so most decks built for asphalt carry it. Our composite roof tile weight comparison sets that load against clay and slate, product by product.
| Factor | Composite slate | Real slate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installed cost per sq ft | $9 to $12 | $10 to $30 | HomeGuide slate guide |
| Weight per square | About 158 to 367 lb | 800 to 1,000 lb | Maker sheets via our weight report; HomeGuide |
| Lifespan | 40 to 50 years | 60 to 125 years or longer | HomeGuide; NPS Preservation Brief 29 |
| Impact rating | UL 2218 Class 4 on the four brands here | No UL 2218 class published for natural slate | Maker sites |
| Structural reinforcement | Rarely, at asphalt-like weight | Check framing; $5 to $14 per sq ft if rafters or trusses are added | HomeGuide |
Composite vs cedar shake: which wins?
Composite shake mimics hand-split cedar without the rot, insect and fire exposure of real wood. HomeGuide’s cedar shake roof cost guide (November 2025) puts real cedar shake at $25 to $30 per square foot installed and synthetic cedar shake at $12 to $20, and says real cedar lasts 30 to 50 years with maintenance while synthetic versions can last 40 to 60. DaVinci’s composite shake carries a Class A fire rating, which untreated cedar does not.
The tradeoff is authenticity. Real cedar weathers to a silver-gray patina, and a molded composite tile is still a manufactured product. Where a wildfire code, insurer or HOA requires a Class A roof, a Class A composite shake keeps the cedar look; DaVinci’s site describes a cedar roof that was “no longer being insured” being replaced with Class A composite shake. For maintenance, composite drops the cleaning and treatment cycle HomeGuide lists for real cedar.
Pros and cons of composite roofing
Composite roofing trades a higher upfront cost ($7 to $14 per square foot against $5 to $8 for architectural asphalt) for a 40 to 50 year life, Class 4 impact ratings and Class A fire ratings on most lines. It suits owners who plan to stay long enough to use that life and who want a slate or shake look at asphalt-like weight. On a short hold or a tight budget, architectural asphalt costs less per year owned.
- Pro: Class 4 impact rating. All four brands here list UL 2218 Class 4 (2-inch steel ball), which some insurers in hail-prone states recognize with premium credits; ask your carrier what it offers.
- Pro: 40 to 50-year lifespan. HomeGuide’s estimate, backed by 50-year limited warranties (Brava, EcoStar) or a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty (DaVinci).
- Pro: light weight. About 158 to 367 lb per square on maker sheets, against 800 to 1,000 lb for natural slate.
- Pro: low maintenance. No cleaning and treatment cycle like real cedar, per HomeGuide’s cedar guide.
- Con: high upfront cost. $7 to $14 per square foot installed versus $5 to $8 for architectural asphalt.
- Con: specialized install. HomeGuide notes nailing requirements differ by product and from asphalt shingles, so ask for a crew trained on the exact line.
- Con: shorter track record. EcoStar calls synthetic roofing “relatively new,” developed over about 30 years, so 50-year performance is a projection.
Is a composite roof worth it?
A composite roof is usually worth it for a long-term owner who wants the slate or shake look and Class 4 impact protection. Over 40 to 50 years, one composite roof at $7 to $14 per square foot competes with two architectural asphalt roofs at $5 to $8 per square foot each, before inflation. For an owner planning to sell within 10 years, an asphalt roof at $5 to $8 delivers the same weather protection for less cash.
The math turns on how long you stay and where you live. In hail-prone states, a UL 2218 Class 4 roof may qualify for insurer premium credits and F-Wave adds a 5-year, 2-inch hail labor warranty, so composite pays back sooner there. In a mild climate on a short hold, it does not. To compare where composite sits against every other option, our materials comparison and the sourced numbers in the 2026 Roofing Material Lifespan Report give the durability side of the tradeoff.
| If your situation is… | Choose | Threshold behind it |
|---|---|---|
| You will sell within 10 years | Architectural asphalt | $5 to $8 vs $7 to $14 per sq ft installed |
| You want slate but framing was built for asphalt | Composite slate | 158 to 367 lb per square vs 800 to 1,000 lb for slate |
| Wildfire code or insurer requires Class A | DaVinci or F-Wave, or a Brava or EcoStar Class A assembly | UL 790 / ASTM E108 Class A |
| Frequent hail of 2 inches | Any UL 2218 Class 4 line; F-Wave for a labor-backed hail warranty | UL 2218 Class 4; F-Wave 5-year, 2-inch hail warranty |
| Spanish barrel look without clay weight | Brava | Only brand here with a synthetic barrel tile |
| Lowest material price per square | EcoStar | $300 to $800 per square (HomeGuide) |
How to choose a composite roofing system
Work through these six steps in order. The profile you pick narrows the brand list (Brava alone offers a synthetic barrel tile here) before the $300 to $1,600 per square material spread in HomeGuide’s brand table enters the decision.
- Pick the look first. Decide between synthetic slate, cedar shake, or Spanish barrel. Brava is the only brand in this group offering a synthetic barrel tile.
- Match the rating to your hazard. In hail country choose a UL 2218 Class 4 line; in a wildfire zone confirm a UL 790 Class A assembly, which EcoStar lists as an option alongside Class C.
- Weigh recycled content. EcoStar lists up to 80% upcycled polymers and Brava recycled closed-cell plastics, while DaVinci uses virgin resins with UV and thermal stabilizers.
- Read the warranty fine print. Check term (50-year limited or Lifetime Limited Material), proration, transferability, labor coverage, and hail size; F-Wave covers 2-inch hail for 5 years including labor.
- Confirm a trained installer. HomeGuide notes nailing requirements differ by product, so ask the contractor how many installs of that exact line they have done.
- Compare the installed number per square. Get the price per roofing square and check it against HomeGuide’s $700 to $1,400 per square installed range.
Frequently asked questions
Is composite roofing the same as composition roofing?
No. Composite roofing is a synthetic polymer shingle or tile that imitates slate or shake and costs $7 to $14 per square foot installed, per HomeGuide (November 2025). Composition roofing is asphalt shingle, made from a fiberglass mat and asphalt, which our 2026 cost report puts at $5 to $8 per square foot for architectural grades. Always confirm which one a quote refers to.
How long does a composite roof last?
HomeGuide puts composite roof life at 40 to 50 years with correct installation. Warranties back that: Brava and EcoStar list 50-year limited warranties, and DaVinci a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty. EcoStar calls synthetic roofing relatively new, developed over about 30 years, so 50-year performance is a projection rather than field history.
How much does composite roofing cost per square?
Composite roofing costs about $700 to $1,400 per roofing square installed ($7 to $14 per square foot), per HomeGuide’s November 2025 guide. Materials alone run $300 to $800 per square for EcoStar, $400 to $1,200 for DaVinci and $700 to $1,150 for Brava. A 2,000 sq ft roof runs $14,000 to $28,000 installed.
Is composite roofing cheaper than slate?
Usually. HomeGuide puts synthetic slate at $9 to $12 per square foot installed versus $10 to $30 for natural slate. Composite also weighs about 158 to 367 lb per square against 800 to 1,000 lb for slate, so it rarely needs added framing. The tradeoff is lifespan: 40 to 50 years for composite versus 60 to 125 years or longer for slate, per NPS Preservation Brief 29.
Does composite roofing qualify for an insurance discount?
Sometimes. The four brands here list a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, and some insurers in hail-prone states offer premium credits for Class 4 roofs. Credits depend on the carrier and state, and the insurer may ask for the product data sheet showing the UL 2218 listing. Ask your carrier for its credit in writing before you buy.
Who makes the best composite roofing?
Our editorial ranking: DaVinci Roofscapes for premium slate looks (Class 4, Class A, Lifetime Limited Material Warranty), Brava for tile and Spanish barrel profiles (50-year limited warranty), EcoStar for recycled content and the lowest HomeGuide material price ($300 to $800 per square), and F-Wave REVIA XTM for its 5-year, 2-inch hail warranty with labor.
What is EcoStar roofing made of, and is it any good?
EcoStar says its tiles contain up to 80% upcycled polymers and carry a UL Environmental Product Declaration. Its product pages list UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance, ASTM D3161 Class F wind resistance, and a 50-year limited material warranty. The fire listing is UL 790 Class C or Class A, so ask for the Class A assembly if you need it.
How do I choose a composite roofing shingle?
Start with the look (slate, shake, or Spanish barrel), then match the ratings to your hazard: UL 2218 Class 4 for hail and a UL 790 Class A assembly for wildfire zones. Compare warranties (50-year limited vs Lifetime Limited Material, labor coverage, hail size), weigh recycled content, and check the bid against HomeGuide’s $7 to $14 per square foot installed range.
Are synthetic shingles the same as composite shingles?
Yes. Synthetic shingles and composite shingles are two names for the same product: molded polymer shingles and tiles that imitate slate or cedar shake, made by brands like DaVinci, Brava, F-Wave and EcoStar. HomeGuide prices synthetic roof shingles at $6 to $12 per square foot installed and composite roofing overall at $7 to $14.