A composition roof is another roofing industry term for asphalt shingles. It’s also what insurance companies call asphalt shingles on claims for roof damage. The reason for the name “composition” is because it’s a composite of man-made materials. These materials consist of fiberglass, tar, and granules put on a fiberglass mat to make a shingle. There are 3 types of composition (asphalt) shingles: 3-tab, architectural (dimensional or laminate), and luxury (shake look or slate look). All 3 shingles have different looks to give any homeowner a look they want for their new roof.