Whether you’re replacing an existing roof or researching options for a new home, deciding between roofing styles, materials and costs can be complicated. To help you determine the correct roofing materials for your home, here are the pros and cons of the six most popular roofing types.
#1 Asphalt Shingle
The most common roofing material, asphalt shingles, are affordable and simple to install. Asphalt shingles are produced when a fiberglass shingle is mixed with asphalt and finished with a textured surface. Asphalt shingles come in two basic configurations: single-thickness and laminate.
Pros: Asphalt shingles are available in an assortment of colors and are the most economical material available.
Cons: Asphalt shingles have a shorter life span and don’t offer the same level of insulation as other roofing alternatives.
#2 Wood Shake
For centuries wood was a common material used in residential roofing. But, due to its flammability, modern day use is less common.
Pros: Wood offers a natural, rustic look.
Cons: Wood shingles are flammable and can potentially suffer from mold or rot. The life span of wood roofing is also limited (similar to asphalt shingles).
#3 Metal (various types)
Aluminum, steel, copper, copper-asphalt and lead are the most popular metal roofing alternatives. Metal roofs are extremely durable but costly to install in both material and installation time.
Pros: Metal is strong and offers high solar reflectance, allowing for efficient cooling and heating of homes.
Cons: Metal is typically the most expensive roofing alternative.
#4 Ceramic and Cement Tile
Rounded tile roofing products are common with Spanish Colonial and Mission-style homes. Homeowners considering tile for their roof should be aware of the cost — anywhere between $400 and $800 on average per tile.
Pros: Tiles are durable and energy efficient.
Cons: The weight of tile roofing is heavy and may require additional framing for support.
#5 Slate Roofing
Slate is extremely durable and known for its many variations in origin, thickness and color.
Pros: Slate is dependable and considered to be a sustainable, recyclable roofing material.
Cons: Slate is expensive and requires additional roofing support to supplement its weight.
#6 Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic roofing products (rubber, plastic and polymer roofing) have been developed to provide the color, look and texture of other roofing materials (without the high cost).
Pros: Synthetic roofing is durable and affordable.
Cons: Due to their recent development, some synthetic materials have been known to absorb moisture.
Conclusion
When considering a roofing material for your home, consult with a local roofing specialist to ensure that you choose the appropriate material for your home’s aesthetic (and budget).
I had always wondered how businesses fixed their roofs, especially with how unique their buildings could be. You wrote that metal is extremely durable and very efficient in cooling and heating of the building. Especially with how important it is for a business to have a strong roof for them to rely on day after day, metal would seem to be a good option. Thank you for the great blog.
You mentioned that the most common roofing material used is asphalt shingle since they are affordable and easy to install. That is a great product for me to keep in mind since I am trying to find what kind of roof products I want. I will have to talk to my husband about the pros and cons.
Good read! I appreciate that you included pros and cons about each roofing type in your post. For my future house, I think I’d prefer an Asphalt Shingle. I like how it’s available in an assortment of colors and that it’s the most economical material available. Consulting a professional would also be the best way to go when deciding.
Thanks for being honest about how metal roofs can be costly to install. I’d imagine that it takes a long time for roofing contractors to do it. I want to have copper put on my Craftsman home, and I’ve saved up quite a lot of it. I’m sure I have enough, but I’ll have to make sure I find a contractor who’s experienced with the material.
I like how you talked about how metal roofing is durable and has various types of metals to choose from. I want to install a brand new metal roof on my home this summer. Thanks for the tips on how to choose a material for roofing.
We really need a new roof because our shingles are peeling. I’ll be sure to look more into metal roofing because I love the sound of the durability. I’m willing to pay more if it will last longer than these shingles did!
I appreciate how you broke down each of the materials. I have been thinking about either a metal or tile roof. I didn’t realize that they could both be expensive in their own ways, but I think that it will be worth the cost. I am leaning more towards the metal roof, but I’ll be sure to discuss it with my husband, just to be sure.
I liked that you explained that a metal roof will be more reflective. That does seem to like a good thing for me to know because I have been thinking about getting a new roof on my home. That is good for me to know because I live in a really hot area.
It sure got my attention when you said that the ceramic or the cement tile roof is more common in houses that are Spanish-Colonial in style. My mom is fond of things that look different than what is normal, and in our neighborhood, the Spanish-Colonial style is not exactly normal. Since she is planning to renovate the house to make it look as such, I think this type of roofing will match it perfectly. I will mention it to her.
As the roof of the house plays an important architectural significance in maintaining the entire structure of the house. So it is good to have these many options while going for the new roof. Each of these roofing types possesses their own pros and cons . Along with this we also found few more types which include; Saltbox roofs, Mansard roofs, Skillion roofs and Flat roofs . Thank you for sharing this useful information.
It’s good to learn more about roofing shingles. I like how you said that asphalt are good because they’re economical. We’re hoping to get a new roof soon, so I’ll have to do a little more research to find the best one for our home and budget.
I really appreciate your tip on how wood paneling can offer a rustic look to your roof. My wife and I have been thinking of getting a new house, and we are concerned that the roof won’t be as inviting for their guests when they come over. I will be sure to tell my wife that we should try and find some wood paneling for our house!
Thanks for pointing out that some of the pros of metal roofs are that metal is strong and offers high solar reflectance, allowing for efficient cooling and heating of homes. My husband and I are thinking about getting new roofing because what we have right now is starting to look terrible and probably isn’t going to last much longer. I like the idea of a metal roof because I think it would look good and it would be really durable so we would have less roofing problems.
This a great article! I’m currently want to replace our house old roof and I am trying to find what kind of roof that I want. I have to talk to a roof professional regarding this matter. Thank you very much!
Thanks for explaining that metal roofing is good for home energy efficiency because of its high value of solar reflection. My husband and I are considering getting a new roof for our home soon because we think our current roof is letting in a lot of heat from outdoors. I’m glad I read your article because I really like the look of sheet metal roofing, so I’m happy to learn that it has the benefit of temperature insulation.
Thank you for explaining the pros and cons of using six different types of roofing. I’m building a new home and I need someone to install the roof but I can’t decide which material I want to use. With these explanations, I can finally decide which material would be best for my situation.
I didn’t know that some roofing could be made of rubber! That’s an interesting choice of material for a roof. I’ll have to look into that and see what other pros and cons there are to it.
I am in search of the best roofing contractor, I learned a lot by reading your worthy words. Thanks a lot for helping us. I wish you the best of luck for more amazing work…
I am glad you mention that metal roofs are very durable and can quickly cool the house. My husband and I have to replace our roof and we are looking for the best option for our house. I think we should look into metal roofing since we don’t want to have to replace it again for a while.
I like how you mention that metal roofing is extremely durable. My parents are replacing their roof and need to find one that will suit their needs. I think they should look into a metal roofing provider who can help them find a good roof that fits their needs.
I like the way you pointed out that metal roofs are incredibly cost-effective and economically friendly for several reasons. One of my neighbors found out that his roof is ready for a replacement but he has not decided what material to use. I will share this article with him so he is aware of the benefits of metal roofs and help him narrow down his options.
I’m glad you mentioned that asphalt shingles are available in many colors in addition to being an economical option. My brother and his wife want to hire a contractor to replace the roof of their split-level home near the outskirts of our city. I’ll send along this info to make sure they’ve considered asphalt shingle roofing as an option!
My personal preference is slate roofing but it does come with some pretty serious drawbacks.
I learned a lot in this article. Thank you for sharing this, it is very informative and beneficial. Worth to read.
The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install. These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle. Good article with an excellent way of presentation. Keep it up. Thanks for sharing.
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The facts that have been discussed here are really important. Thank you so much for sharing a great post.
It’s awesome that you talked about different types of roofing materials for your home. A few days ago, there was a huge storm, and it made us realize that our roof needs some serious repairs. After thinking about it, we decided it’s time to replace our home’s roof, and we think your piece will help us out. Thanks for the tips about how it’s important to consult a roofing contractor before choosing the material for your home’s roof.
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Wow!Very clear information, thank you. I am renovating roof in my house. Now I am choosing a roof and an installer for this. All companies have different insurance conditions, so I have a hard time figuring out which roof cover insurance I should choose. roof pricing varies, but I don’t want to skimp on my parents’ house. Moreover, cheap materials are very unreliable.I think tips in the article will be useful to me.
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We know there are more than a dozen different styles of roofs. All 6 types that you mentioned in your post are really great. But asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install.
I want a metal roof because of how durable it is. That would make me feel better when I leave my house alone during a storm. But only if I can have proof that my roof truly is durable first.
Finding a contractor who is trustworthy, honest, and professional may sound difficult but it is possible to find someone who is trustworthy, honest, and professional.
Thanks for the info about roofing. My friend has a commercial building that needs a new roof. I’ll share this info with my friend as he looks for a roofer to hire.
Thank you for explaining these different roofing materials. I’ve always been interested in getting a metal or ceramic roof. Knowing about these specific materials should help me to come to a firm decision.
I didn’t know you could have a roof of copper-asphalt. I need to get a contractor who can replace some of my shingles. My current ones are too weak.
Thank you for the detailed explanation. It’s great to have this information at hand. Thank you so much for being so helpful!
If you’re interested in roofing shingles, you should study more about them. You made an excellent point when you noted that asphalt is good since it is inexpensive. I like what I see on your website—doing a fantastic job!