The 5 Best Types Of Roofing Materials

Whether you’re building a new roof or renovating an existing one, you need to choose a material that is suitable to the climate in which you live and the style of your house. The most common types of roofing materials include slate, asphalt shingles, clay and concrete tiles, metal, and wood shingles or shake. Below, we explore the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is the right fit for your home.

This is for informational purposes - always check with your permitted authority or regulatory body first. 

Whether you’re building a new roof or need an old one replaced, these are the best types of roofing materials available:

One of the highest-quality roofing materials on the market, slate creates a sophisticated and distinctive look. These tiles are a popular choice for custom homes as they come in a wide variety of hues to match the color and style of your house. You’ll most often see them on European, French, and Colonial-style homes. They’re also an environmentally conscious option made from a sustainable material that can be recycled when replaced.

Slate roof has a lifespan of 50 to 100 years and costs over $600 a square to install.

There are several advantages to installing slate roofing:

• Aesthetically pleasing: Slate roofing offers a classic, timeless look. Its natural stone appearance adds elegance and can significantly improve curb appeal.

• Improves the value of your home: Due to its durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal, slate roofing can increase the resale value of a home.

• Variety of colors: Available in a range of greens, grays, purples, and blacks, slate allows homeowners to choose a color that complements their home’s exterior design and personal style.

• Longest lifespan: Slate roofs can last over 100 years with proper maintenance, far outlasting other roofing materials like asphalt shingles. This makes it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

• Environmentally friendly: Slate is a natural stone, which means its production and disposal have minimal environmental impact.

• Fire-resistant: Slate is a non-combustible material, providing excellent fire resistance. This can be particularly beneficial in areas prone to wildfires.

There are a few disadvantages you should be aware of before installing slate roofing:

• Very heavy, requires extra framing: Slate is significantly heavier than other roofing materials, meaning you may need to reinforce your home’s structure to support the weight. This could add to the total installation costs too.

• Must be professionally installed: Installing slate roofing requires specialized skills and expertise. It’s not something you can take on as a DIY project.

• Expensive: Slate is one of the most expensive roofing materials on the market due to the material itself, the need for skilled labor, and the additional structural support required.

• Installation cost: The cost of installing slate roofing can exceed $600 per square.

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing choice for residential homes because of their durability, affordability, and ease of installation. These shingles are also popular because you can reinforce the shingle with cellulose or fiberglass for increased durability without changing the appearance.

Asphalt works with any house style, making it the most versatile. However, building a large custom home may look better with a different roofing option because asphalt can make the home look less expensive. It has a lifespan of around 20 to 25 years and costs between $70 and $120 a square foot to install.

The main advantages of using an asphalt shingle include:

• Very affordable: Asphalt shingles are one of the most cost-effective roofing materials available, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowners.

• Accessible: Asphalt shingles are widely available and can be found at most home improvement stores.

• Easy to replace: If a section of the roof gets damaged, individual asphalt shingles can be easily replaced without needing to redo the entire roof.

• Variety of colors: Asphalt shingles come in a wide array of colors and styles, allowing homeowners to choose a look that complements their home’s exterior. 

The disadvantages of using asphalt shingles on your home or business:

• Shorter lifespan: Asphalt shingles typically last between 20 to 25 years, which is significantly shorter compared to other types of roofing materials like slate, metal, or tile. This means homeowners may need to replace their roofs more frequently, leading to higher long-term costs.

• Poor insulator: Asphalt shingles don’t provide the same level of insulation as other roofing materials. This can result in higher energy bills, as the home may require more heating in the winter and cooling in the summer to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

• Inconsistency of quality: The quality of asphalt shingles can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer and product line. Lower-quality shingles may be more prone to damage from weather, such as wind or hail, and may not last as long as higher-quality options, leading to potential durability concerns.

Clay or concrete tiles come in various styles that can elevate your home's curb appeal. Both of these tiles are incredibly strong, very energy efficient, add texture to the house, and have a long lifespan, making them ideal roofing options.

Because of their coloring and style, clay and concrete tiles look good on homes that have a Spanish, Southwestern, Mission, or Mediterranean style. It’s a popular roofing choice in warmer climate states like Arizona, California, and Nevada.

Tile roofing is a popular choice because it is:

• Durable: Both clay and concrete tiles are known for their exceptional durability. They can withstand harsh weather conditions, including high winds, heavy rain, and even hail. Non-combustible: Clay and concrete tiles are fire-resistant, providing an added layer of safety for your home.

• Energy efficient: Clay and concrete tiles have natural insulating properties that help regulate indoor temperatures.

• Aesthetically pleasing: Tile roofing offers a classic and elegant appearance that can enhance the visual appeal of any home. Available in a variety of colors, shapes, and styles, clay and concrete tiles can complement different architectural designs, from Mediterranean and Spanish to modern and contemporary. 

There are a few disadvantages to choosing a clay or concrete tile roof:

• Heavy: Clay and concrete tiles are significantly heavier than other roofing materials. Due to their weight, installing clay or concrete tiles often requires reinforcing the roof structure.

• Expensive: The cost of clay and concrete tiles is higher compared to other roofing materials, meaning it might not be the best option for budget-conscious homeowners.

• Lifespan: While clay and concrete tiles have a longer lifespan than many other roofing materials (around 40 to 50 years), they still fall short of the longevity offered by some premium options like slate.

• Installation cost: The installation cost for clay and concrete tiles is relatively high, ranging from $300 to $500 per square. 

Metal roofing is a viable option for homes and businesses in extreme weather areas. Metal roofing can be made from copper, aluminum, zinc, or stainless steel. All of these metals are extremely durable and can be made from recyclable materials, making a metal roof a smart choice for those who value the environment. You can also use the roof for harvesting rainwater.

Because of the style of the roof, it looks best on contemporary homes, cabins, or cottage homes. It doesn’t look good on specific home styles and can lower your home’s curb appeal. 

Metal roofing has many advantages over other roofing options, such as:

• Durability: Metal roofs are extremely durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, high winds, and hail. They are also resistant to cracking, shrinking, and eroding, making them one of the most robust roofing options available.

• Long lifespan: A properly installed metal roof can last 40 to 70 years, which is significantly longer than traditional asphalt shingles.

• Environmentally conscious: Metal roofing is often made from recycled materials and can be fully recycled at the end of its life, making it an eco-friendly choice.

• High solar reflectance: Metal roofs have a high solar reflectance, meaning they reflect a significant portion of the sun's rays. This helps to reduce heat absorption, keeping your home cooler in the summer.

There are a few disadvantages to having a metal roof:

• It can be loud during a storm: One of the common complaints about metal roofing is the noise it can produce during heavy rain, hail, or thunderstorms.

• More expensive: Metal roofing generally has a higher upfront cost compared to materials like asphalt shingles.

• Can look inexpensive: Some homeowners don’t like the industrial finish that metal tiles create.

• Not as versatile: Although metal roofing is available in various styles and colors, it may not be as versatile as other materials like asphalt shingles or tile when it comes to matching certain architectural styles.

Very affordable, wood shingles and shakes have been popular roofing choices for centuries and are commonly used for bungalows, New England, Tudor, and Craftsman-style homes. Made from a wide variety of classic woods like pine, redwood, and cedar, the rough woodcut gives your home a rustic charm that improves its appeal.

The advantages of wood shingles include:

• Affordable: Wood shingles are relatively affordable compared to some premium roofing materials like slate or metal, making them a popular choice for many homeowners seeking a natural look without breaking the bank.

• Made from sustainable materials: Wood shingles are made from renewable resources, such as cedar, redwood, and pine.

• Variety of wood types: Wood shingles are available in a variety of wood species, allowing homeowners to choose a type that best suits their aesthetic preferences and complements their home's design. 

The main disadvantages of wood or shake shingles:

• Flammable: Wood shingles are susceptible to fire because wood is a combustible material. This can be a significant concern in areas prone to wildfires.

• Not as durable: While properly maintained wood shingles can last around 20 to 30 years, they may require more frequent repairs or replacement compared to more durable alternatives.

• Can mold or split in wet climates: Wood shingles are vulnerable to moisture and can absorb water, which can lead to issues like mold, mildew, and rotting. They aren’t really suited to wet climates or regions with high humidity.

These roofing options are popular for their styles, durability, and affordability. You’ll want to pick a roofing material that will look nice on your home but also fortify it from the climate. Costs are also a big consideration. You can choose the best roofing material type for you using the table below: