Roof Types

8 Types of Roof Materials: Choosing the Best Option

The roof of your home is arguably the most important for countless reasons. It provides protection from the elements, keeps your home warm, and protects your home's structure, among other things. The roof is also, arguably, what can boost your home's value the most–so a quality, well-maintained roof is essential. However, there are many different types of roof materials on the market, so knowing what to choose can be hard.

Here are some common types of home roof materials, and the good and bad about each:

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the classic roofing materials that you see on most modern homes. They are an affordable, easy-to-install option that is also easy to repair and replace as needed. You can even choose from a basic 3-tab shingle to something higher-end like architectural. Expect to save money on an asphalt installation simply because most roofers are experienced with this material and installation shouldn’t take quite as long as other materials. It’s also a fast process that requires the shingles only be rolled out and nailed down.

However, due to the way they are designed, asphalt shingles are not the most durable option. They can last up to 30 years, depending on what they are exposed to, like wind and sun. Unfortunately, once the granules on asphalt roofing are gone, the whole roof needs to be replaced.

Wood Roof

Metal roofing comes in many different forms, like metal shakes and shingles, standing seam metal roofing, and stone coated steel. All are popular options due to their ability to take a beating, keep moisture away, and provide superior UV protection.

Costs can vary for metal roofing, however, depending on the style you choose. Metal roofs can withstand the impact of hail and things like water and fire, but the damage will eventually begin to show and can take away from the look of your home. Metal lacks the stylistic element of texture as well, with the surface being smooth across the board. This is noticeable even from a distance and can seem bland to many homeowners.

Wood roofing is, without a doubt, one of the most classic types of roof materials. It is a beautiful, rustic option that is also very durable and provides energy efficiency. Wood roofing can be considered one of the more eco-friendly roofing types because it is biodegradable and will not take multiple millennia to degrade at the bottom of a landfill.

However, wood roofing is a pricey option to order and install and has the added cost of maintenance. Maintaining wood roofing is also labor and time-consuming and, without the required maintenance, the roof can become severely damaged and ineffective. Wood roofing has limited warranties available and a lower lifespan. The average wood roof will not last past 30 years, even when perfectly maintained. It can also be said that certain types of wood roofing are not environmentally-friendly because of the fact that wood takes a long time to regrow once it’s been harvested.

Metal Roof

Slate Roof

Whether tiles or shingles, there is no denying the popularity of slate as one of the natural types of roof materials for homes. It is beautiful, incredibly durable, and can last for a very long time. Slate is very low maintenance as well, and requires no extra protection from insects, water, or fire.

Unfortunately, slate is heavy–which means that not all homes are strong enough to support the weight. They are also expensive, and slate roofs require a specialist to install them, which can be hard to find. Repairs can also be more difficult for slate tiles and shingles. In terms of price, slate is one of the more expensive types of roofing because of how it is produced. Slate needs to be harvested from natural quarries and then shaped into roofing material. It’s also heavy so the cost of shipping it is astronomical. For these reasons slate is one of the more expensive roofing materials you will find.

Spanish Tile

Spanish tiles are another natural roofing option, that are made from earthen clay and molded and fired for durability. It is a great option for homes in hot climates, which makes them popular in southern coastal and desert regions. They also absorb less moisture, which means they require less maintenance.

A major disadvantage of clay tiles is that they are expensive. While clay tiles are lighter than concrete tiles, they can add a lot of weight to a home's structure, which can cause issues. Although they offer some level of durability, clay tiles are incredibly fragile and can break when it comes to working on them. Cold weather areas are notoriously rough on clay, which becomes even more brittle in cold temperatures.

Aluminum Roof

Aluminum roofing offers distinct advantages over traditional roofing materials such as asphalt shingles, steel, or wood. Homeowners and builders are increasingly choosing aluminum for its combination of longevity, strength, and sustainability.

Aluminum roofing is engineered to protect your property in the harshest conditions. These roofs hold up against Mother Nature’s worst: Hail, High Winds, Fire, and Corrosion and Snow. Aluminum roofing does have a higher upfront cost than asphalt (often a few times more), but it provides far greater long-term value. Thanks to its long lifespan and minimal upkeep, an aluminum roof can actually save money over decades compared to replacing asphalt roofs multiple times.

Synthetic Composite

Synthetic composite roofing is a lightweight, affordable option with extreme durability. Synthetic roofs offer the highest impact and fire ratings, hurricane-force wind resistance, and superior UV protection and insulation. It is not vulnerable to bug damage, rot, mold, algae, warping, buckling, or any of the other issues commonly faced by most roofing materials.

Unlike the other types of roof materials, synthetic roofing is easily accessible and comes in a wide range of beautiful styles, including slate and cedar shake. What makes synthetic roofing the best choice is that it is virtually maintenance-free and a long-lasting option. A synthetic cedar shake roof for instance, can last you well over 50 years without almost zero maintenance. The most you’ll need to do is wash it off every now and then.

Rubber Shingles

Extreme weather conditions are one of the main reasons rubber shingles are recommended by roofing contractors worldwide. Hail and wind are two of the most significant factors in impact damage, and rubber shingles are your best defense against hail, wind, and more.

Rubber is durable and able to withstand extreme weather conditions. Properly designed rubber shingles are resistant to cracking, mold, discoloration, denting, and moisture absorption. Not only do all of our shingles give your home a luxury look at a fraction of the cost and have a Class 4 rating, but we've created a rubber shingle that is hail-proof and wind-proof (tested 160 mph).