Synthetic Composite Shingles in Hudson, WI
Synthetic composite shingles are manufactured shingles made to look like slate or cedar shake, and on a Hudson home they cost about half what real slate does. Hudson Roofing Pros replaces worn roofs across the Hudson area with synthetic slate and synthetic shake, installed to the manufacturer's instructions.
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What Are Synthetic Composite Shingles and Who Chooses Them in Hudson?
Synthetic composite shingles are man-made roofing shingles shaped and colored to look like natural slate or cedar shake, and Hudson homeowners choose them when they want that look without the price of the real material. They suit older Hudson homes, such as the Greek Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne houses in the historic neighborhoods near downtown, as well as newer homes where the owner wants something other than asphalt.
They are a different product from architectural shingles, so they are installed to their own manufacturer's instructions, which Wisconsin's dwelling code requires for roof coverings other than asphalt shingles. We cover them alongside the other asphalt shingle roofs because most homeowners compare the two when they reroof.
Old slate or shake roof?
It has to come off
Wisconsin does not allow new roofing over an existing wood shake, slate, clay or cement tile roof, so these are always a tear-off.
How Do Synthetic Composite Shingles Compare on Price in Wisconsin?
Synthetic composite shingles cost about $14.25 per square foot installed in Wisconsin, a little less than cedar shakes, about half the price of standard slate and roughly twice the price of architectural asphalt. These are published Wisconsin figures, not a quote, and each includes tear-off of the old roof.
| Roof covering | Installed price per sq ft | 1,700 sq ft roof |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingles | $6.95 | $11,815 |
| Synthetic composite shingles | $14.25 | $24,225 |
| Red cedar shakes | $15.20 | $25,840 |
| Standard slate, 1/4 inch | $27.20 | $46,240 |
Nationally, a composite roof costs about $15,000 to $25,000, and synthetic shingles run about $5 to $12 per square foot depending on the product. Your Hudson price depends on the roof's size, pitch and how much decking needs work.
Wondering what a synthetic slate or shake roof would cost on your Hudson home?
Send us the form or call, and we will measure the roof and price synthetic composite against the other options in writing.
Synthetic Composite or Real Slate and Cedar on a Hudson Home?
Synthetic composite is the better fit for a Hudson homeowner who wants the slate or shake look at a lower price, while real slate roofs and cedar shake roofs suit an owner who wants the natural material itself. Slate is generally expected to last well over 50 years and cedar around 25 to 30, and both cost more to install than synthetic.
Real Slate or Cedar Shake
- The natural material, with its own weathering
- Slate about $27.20 and cedar shakes about $15.20 per sq ft in Wisconsin
- Slate generally expected to last well over 50 years
- Cedar generally expected to last around 25 to 30 years
Synthetic Composite Shingles
- Made to look like slate or shake
- About $14.25 per sq ft in Wisconsin
- Installed to the manufacturer's instructions
- Less than slate or cedar shakes to install
If hail is your main concern and the slate look matters less, impact-resistant shingles cost far less. If you are planning solar, solar shingles are another roof covering we can price.
How We Install a Synthetic Composite Roof in Hudson
We install a synthetic composite roof in Hudson by tearing off to the deck, repairing it, laying ice barrier and underlayment, flashing every valley and opening, and fastening the shingles exactly as their maker specifies. The same crew does every step, and Garrett Olson oversees the project.
- 1
Tear Off and Repair the Deck
We strip the old roof, which is required if it is slate or shake, and replace soft or rotted decking.
- 2
Ice Barrier and Underlayment
Low-slope eaves over heated space get ice dam protection at least 30 inches up from the edge and at least 12 inches past the inside of the exterior wall.
- 3
Flash Valleys, Chimneys and Openings
Every valley, chimney and roof opening is flashed, and a chimney wider than 30 inches gets a cricket on its upper side.
- 4
Fasten to the Maker's Instructions
Each synthetic product has its own fastening instructions, and Wisconsin requires roof coverings like these to be installed to them.
- 5
Clean Up
We haul away the old roof and leave the job site clean.
Is your old slate or shake roof leaking?
Tell us what you are seeing, and we will tell you whether a repair or a synthetic composite roof makes more sense.
Do Hudson's Design and Riverway Rules Affect a Synthetic Composite Roof?
Hudson's design and riverway rules can affect a synthetic composite roof, because in the downtown overlay district a change of roofing color or material goes to the Plan Commission with samples of the shingles. Reroofing with the same colors and materials already approved can be signed off by city staff instead.
Homes along the St. Croix bluffs and riverway may face roof color rules set by local ordinance, and in historic districts the state's riverway rules call for earth-tone colors or colors suited to the period. We check which rules cover your address before you pick a product.
Who Can Install Synthetic Composite Shingles in Hudson?
Wisconsin has no roofing-specific license, but a contractor who pulls a building permit for work on a one- or two-family home must hold the state's Dwelling Contractor certification and hold or employ a certified Dwelling Contractor Qualifier. Hudson Roofing Pros installs synthetic composite roofs across the Hudson area, and you should ask any contractor you book, us included, for proof of that credential and of insurance.
In the City of Hudson, replacing roofing needs no building permit unless there are structural changes or repairs. Outside the city, we confirm the permit rules with your local building inspector before work starts, and every job carries our 10-Year Workmanship Warranty.
Synthetic Composite Shingle FAQs
What Are Synthetic Composite Shingles Made Of?
Synthetic composite shingles are manufactured shingles made to look like slate or cedar shake, and the materials vary from one maker to the next. We go through the product's specifications with you before you choose.
How Much Do Synthetic Composite Shingles Cost in Wisconsin?
Synthetic composite shingles cost about $14.25 per square foot installed in Wisconsin, including tear-off, or about $24,225 for a 1,700 square foot roof. That is a published Wisconsin figure, not a quote.
Can Synthetic Shingles Go Over My Old Cedar Shake Roof?
Synthetic shingles cannot go over an old cedar shake roof in Wisconsin, because new roofing may not be installed over wood shake, slate, clay or cement tile. The old roof has to be torn off first.
Are Synthetic Composite Shingles Allowed in Hudson's Historic Downtown?
Synthetic composite shingles may be allowed in Hudson's downtown overlay district, but a change of roofing color or material goes to the Plan Commission with samples. We check the rules for your address before you order.
Get a synthetic composite roof estimate
Send us the form or call, and we will price a synthetic slate or shake roof on your Hudson home in writing.
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