Is it time to replace your roof? Are you going through the roofing material selection process, but don't have the information needed to feel confident in your decision?
The roofing material you choose for your upcoming roof replacement impacts pricing, lifespan, warranties, and more. Choosing one is already a huge decision, but choosing the right roofing material is even more important.
The last thing you want is to have regrets or buyer’s remorse on a purchase as big as a roof. Unfortunately, it’s an incredibly time-consuming and stressful undertaking to do all the research.
So, let's make it simple.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided unbiased and transparent advice so homeowners can make the most informed decisions. Now, I’ll do the same for you.
In this article, you’ll learn the cost, lifespan, and warranty information, plus the pros and cons of the following roofing materials:
- 3-tab asphalt shingles
- Architectural asphalt shingles
- Luxury asphalt shingles
- Exposed fastener metal roof
- Standing seam metal roof
- Synthetic shingles
- Cedar shake shingles
- Slate tiles
After that, you’ll learn what to ask yourself when deciding which roofing material is right for you.
3-tab asphalt shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles lay flat and get their name from the 3 tabs on each shingle strip. This asphalt shingle used to dominate the residential roofing industry until technology improved to create architectural asphalt shingles.
Cost: $4.00 - $5.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 15 to 20 years at the most
Material warranty: 25-year limited warranty from the manufacturer
3-tab asphalt shingle pros:
- Cheapest roofing material on the market
- Ease of repair and installation
3-tab asphalt shingle cons:
- Shortest lifespan
- Being phased out of the roofing industry
- Hard to color matches for repairs and insurance
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Low curb appeal
- Prone to wind damage
Architectural asphalt shingles
Architectural (also called dimensional) shingles provide a random pattern to give your roof dimension or simulate the look of a wood-shake roof. It’s not only the most common asphalt shingle installed on homes today but also the most common roofing material in general.
Cost: $5.00 - $7.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 20 to 25 years
Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.
Architectural asphalt shingle pros:
- Affordability
- Ease of repair and installation
- Readily available materials and colors
- Class 3 and Class 4 impact resistance options available
- 110 to 160 mph wind resistance
Architectural asphalt shingle cons:
- Low curb appeal compared to other materials
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Prone to hail damage
Luxury asphalt shingles
Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, more durable, offer the highest curb appeal, and are the most expensive of three types of asphalt shingles.
Cost: $8.00 - $10.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years or longer in perfect conditions
Material warranty: 30-year warranty (prorated after 10 years) from the manufacturer. Upgrade to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty with a full roof system.
Luxury asphalt shingle pros:
- Durability
- Longevity
- High curb appeal
- Class 4 impact resistance (depends on brand)
- 110 to 160 mph wind resistance
Luxury asphalt shingle cons:
- Expensive
- Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
- Needs yearly maintenance
Exposed fastener metal roofing
An exposed fastener metal roof (also called screw down) is a series of panels fastened down to the decking through the metal. This not only leaves the fasteners exposed on top of the metal, but it also puts pressure on the panels when expanding and contracting.
Because of this, the screws must be replaced every 5-10 years or so to avoid leaks and wind lifting the panels up. That's why I don't recommend an exposed fastener metal roof over a heated living space.
Cost: $4.50 - $6.50 per square foot
Lifespan: 20 years (up to 30 with maintenance)
Material warranty: Paint warranty, (length varies by manufacturer)
Exposed fastener metal roofing pros:
- Affordability
- Color options
- Durable
- Don’t have to worry about oil canning
Exposed fastener metal roofing cons:
- Prone to leaks
- Needs consistent maintenance
- Lack of metal options
- Makes noise when it rains
- Hard to repair
Standing seam metal roofing
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. Under each rib (seam) is a clip that fastens the panels together and allows them to glide back and forth when the metal goes through thermal expansion.
Because of its expansion and contraction capabilities, a standing seam metal roof is the recommended type of metal roof for residential purposes.
Cost: $16.00-$20.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50 in the right conditions)
Material warranty: 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish
Standing seam metal roofing pros:
- High curb appeal
- Versatility (used to accent asphalt shingle roofs)
- Color options
- Long-lasting
- Durable
- Virtually maintenance free
Standing seam metal roofing cons:
- Expensive
- Potential for oil canning
- Makes noise when it rains
- Hard to repair
Synthetic shingle roofing
Synthetic (also called composite) shingles are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to look exactly like a slate or cedar shake roof. This roofing material is a newcomer to the roofing industry, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among homeowners.
Cost: $15.00 - $20.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 40 to 50 years
Material warranty: Depends on the manufacturer
Synthetic shingle roofing pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Very high curb appeal
- Class 4 impact rating
- Color won't fade as much
- No cracking or breaking like natural material counterparts
- Cheaper than the materials it mimics
Synthetic shingle roofing cons:
- Newer to the roofing industry
- Expensive
Cedar shake roofing
A cedar shake roof is a premium roof system made of natural wood (cedar) materials. The shingles come from large cedar trees in the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada.
They are split into 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common (most inferior), selects (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (highest quality).
Cost: $25.00 - $30.00 per square foot
Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50, depending on your area’s climate)
Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)
Cedar shake roofing pros:
- Very high curb appeal
- Durable
Cedar shake roofing cons:
- Very expensive
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Loses the “fresh” color over time
- Cedar shakes rot, crack, and curl as they age
- No material warranty
- Materials may not be readily available
Slate roofing
A slate roof is a premium roof system made primarily out of natural slate tiles and other slate roofing materials. The slate is mined (mostly in Italy) and cut into square tiles.
Unlike other roofing materials that come in 3-foot wide strips or metal panels, slate tiles are installed one at a time. Slate roofs are also incredibly heavy, so your home has to be built or retro-framed to carry the weight of a slate roof.
Cost: $25.00 - $30.00
Lifespan: 75 to 100 years
Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)
Slate roofing pros:
- Longest lasting roofing material available
- Very high curb appeal
- Durable
Slate roofing cons:
- Very expensive
- The weight factor
- Slate tiles are fragile
- Slow and skillful installation
- Harder to repair
- No material warranty
What do you need to consider when choosing the right roofing material?
Now you know the best residential roofing materials' lifespan, warranties, and cost, plus their pros and cons. This information will help you make the right decision, but there are things you need to consider when going through the decision-making process.
Below are the questions to ask yourself when choosing the right roofing material:
- What’s my roof replacement budget?
- How long do I want my roof to last?
- How much do I want to increase my home's curb appeal?
- Is a roofing material warranty important to me?
What’s my roof replacement budget?
The very first thing you need to determine is your roof replacement budget. On average, an architectural shingle roof on a two-story middle class home costs around $20,000 to $30,000.
So, no matter what a new roof will be an expensive purchase. However, a large budget lets you consider premium materials that last much longer like, luxury shingles, standing seam, synthetic etc.
Now, I’m not saying to break the bank when getting a new roof. However, it’s absolutely crucial not to go into the process with the mindset of trying to find the cheapest price.
How long do I want my roof to last?
After considering your budget, you need to determine how much return you want on your investment in the form of lifespan. If you’re looking for an affordable roof with a good lifespan, an architectural asphalt shingle is the best option.
If you want a roof that your grandkids have to worry about, consider one of the premium roofing materials. Just know that you should also consider your living situation and how long you plan on staying in your home when thinking about lifespans.
How much do I want to increase my home's curb appeal?
The next thing you need to consider is how much you want to increase your home’s curb appeal. This is where things get subjective because everyone has different tastes.
However, each roofing material offers different levels of curb appeal. If you don’t care about getting a roof that stands out, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably for you.
But if you want more curb appeal, consider a luxury asphalt shingle or standing seam metal roof. Now, if you want a roof that turns heads and stands out from the rest, you should look at a synthetic shingle roof, cedar shake roof, or slate roof.
Is a roofing material warranty important to me?
The last thing you need to ask yourself is if a roofing material is important to your investment. A roofing material warranty is your only protection if there’s a problem with the roofing materials in the future.
Each type of asphalt shingle comes out of the package with a warranty from the manufacturer, but architectural or luxury asphalt shingles have enhanced warranty options. On the other hand, metal roofing and synthetic shingle warranties depend on type and manufacturer.
However, you shouldn’t consider a cedar shake roof or a slate roof if a roofing material is important to you.
What else do you need to consider before a replacing your roof?
Ok, I know that was a lot of information to take in. But now you have everything you need to choose the right type of roofing material for your roof replacement.
With this article, I’m confident you have the power to make the right purchasing decision. However, the roofing material is just one big consideration and thing to know when getting a new roof.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the main things homeowners need to know when they're starting the roof replacement process.
Check out 7 Things to Consider Before a Roof Replacement to learn the signs that you need a new roof, how many estimates to get, and much more.
