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5 Best Roofing Material Types to Know

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5 Best Roofing Material Types to Know

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

If you’re replacing your roof or building a home, you can expect to pay $8,000 on average for a roof. This installation cost is mostly influenced by the roofing material you choose. We’ve got a list of the best roofing material types used in the United States. Your climate and home style will heavily influence the best roofing material for your home.

Best Roofing Material Types for Your Home

Whether you’re building or need a roof replacement, these are the best roofing material types available: 

1. Best Quality: Slate

Slate roofing is another environmentally conscious option made from a sustainable material that can be recycled when replaced. Slate roofing tiles are very sophisticated and distinctive, elevating your home's curb appeal. Expensive to install, slate roofing is a definite upgrade. 

Slate roofing tiles come in a wide variety of colors so that you can customize your roof to the color and style of your home. A popular choice for custom homes, slate roofing is often found on European, French, and Colonial-style homes. 

Advantages 

There are several advantages to installing slate roofing:

  • Aesthetically pleasing
  • Improves the value of your home
  • Variety of colors
  • Longest lifespan
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Fire-resistant

Disadvantages

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

  • Very heavy that it requires extra framing
  • Must be professionally installed
  • Expensive

Lifespan: 50 to 100 years

Installation Cost: $600+ a square

2. Most Affordable: Asphalt Shingles

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.

Advantages 

The main advantages of using an asphalt shingle:

  • Very affordable
  • Accessible
  • Easy to replace 
  • Variety of colors

Disadvantages

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

  • Shorter life span
  • Not the best insulator
  • Inconsistency of quality

Lifespan: 20 to 25 years

Installation Cost: 70$ to $120 a square

3. Best Aesthetic: Clay or Concrete Tiles

Clay or concrete tiles come in various styles that can elevate your home's curb appeal. Tile roofing is incredibly strong and adds texture to the house. Concrete is more affordable than clay, but it’s significantly heavier. Tile roofing is very energy efficient and has a long lifespan, making it an ideal roofing option.

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.

Advantages 

Tile roofing is a popular choice because it is:

  • Durable
  • Non-combustible
  • Energy efficient
  • Aesthetically pleasing

Disadvantages

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

  • Heavy
  • It may require additional framing
  • Expensive

Lifespan: 40 to 50 years

Installation Cost: $300 to $500 a square

Related Link: 10 Home Addition Ideas to Add Square Footage

clay rooftops

4. Most Environmentally Conscious: Metal

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. 

Advantages 

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

  • Durability
  • Long lifespan
  • Environmentally conscious
  • High solar reflectance

Disadvantages

There are a few disadvantages to having a metal roof:

  • It can be loud during a storm
  • More expensive
  • Can look inexpensive 
  • Not as versatile

Lifespan: 40 to 75 years

Installation Cost: $100 to $800 a square, depending on the metal chosen

5. Most Classic Style: Wood Shingles and Shake

Wood shingles and shakes have been popular roofing choices for centuries. The rough woodcut gives your home a rustic charm that improves the appeal of your home. You can have wood shingles made from a wide variety of classic woods like pine, redwood, and cedar.

This is a popular roof for bungalows, New England, Tudor, and Craftsman-style homes. Wood shingles are very affordable and add a rustic charm to your home’s aesthetic. 

Advantages 

The advantages of wood shingles:

  • Affordable
  • Made from sustainable materials
  • Variety of wood types

Disadvantages

The main disadvantages of of wood or shake shingles:

  • Flammable
  • Not as durable
  • Can mold or split in wet climates

Lifespan: 25 to 30 years

Installation cost: $100 to $150 a square

Related Link: 15 Exterior Home Remodeling and Renovation Ideas

wood shingle rooftop

Selecting a Quality Roof is Essential to Fortifying Your Home

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 your home from the climate. When building your home or replacing your home’s roof, you’ll want to have a site plan to help with planning and permitting.

Related Link: How to Evaluate Your House for a Garage Addition

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  • Ryan Crownholm