The roofing material you choose for your upcoming roof replacement impacts pricing, lifespan, warranties, and more. It’s a huge decision, so it’s crucial to make the right one.
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.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided Nashville homeowners with unbiased roofing information so they can be confident when making decisions. So, let’s look at the lifespan and warranty information, plus the pros and cons of the best roofing materials in Nashville, TN.
After that, you’ll learn the 4 questions to ask yourself when considering 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.
-1.jpg?width=500&height=310&name=3tabShingles2%20(3)-1.jpg)
As the industry moves on, it’s getting harder to find 3-tab shingles in Nashville, TN. There are even some colors that are unavailable in our area.
Lifespan: ≈20 years at 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 in Nashville, TN, but also the most common roofing material in the United States.
Lifespan: 22-25 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
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.
Luxury shingles are incredibly popular in Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin for their look and durability.
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
- Stands up well to storm damage
Luxury asphalt shingle cons:
- Expensive
- Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
- Needs yearly maintenance
Standing seam metal roofing
A standing seam metal roof system is a series of panels locked together at the seams or seamed mechanically. An exposed fastener metal roof is also common, but standing seam is recommended for residential roofing because of its expansion and contraction capabilities.
The popularity of metal roofing in Nashville continues to grow, with steel being the preferred metal type. There are other multiple metal options, but their availability varies in Middle Tennessee.
Lifespan: 30 years, up to 50 in the right conditions (steel specific)
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 its durability and curb appeal make it here to stay.
We’ve already installed synthetic shingles on multiple homes in Middle Tennessee, mine included. So, while it’s newer to the industry, it’s already very popular in Nashville, TN.
Lifespan: ≈40-50 years
Material warranty: Depends on the manufacturer
Synthetic shingle roofing pros:
- Eco-friendly
- Very high curb appeal
- Class 4 impact rating
- 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 from the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada. There are 3 grades (types) of cedar shake shingles: common (most inferior), selects (80/20 split), and 100% straight grain (highest quality).
Cedar shake roofing has been popular in Nashville and Middle Tennessee for decades. However, synthetic shingles are becoming an alternative for homeowners that want to avoid the cedar shake cons.
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:
- 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
What should you consider when choosing your roofing material?
Now you know the 6 best roofing materials in Nashville, TN. As I said in the beginning, choosing a roofing material is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when getting a new roof.
So, you need to feel confident you’re picking the right one. To do this, simply ask yourself four questions and combine them with the information above to find the one that fits your situation.
How important is curb appeal to me?
A new roof increases a home’s curb appeal, but the type of roofing material determines how much. So, you need to decide how important looks are to you.
If you don’t care about looks and only want a quality material, an architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably for you. A luxury asphalt shingle or standing seam metal roof will definitely stand out in any Nashville neighborhood, with the added benefit of lasting longer than standard asphalt shingles.
If you want a roof that’s guaranteed to turn heads, synthetic (cedar shake or slate) shingles or cedar shakes are considered two of the best-looking materials in the industry.
Do I want the best roofing material warranties?
Material warranties protect your investment if there’s a manufacturer defect or problem with the roofing material itself. However, these warranties vary widely.
That’s why you need to consider how important getting the best protections is to your investment. Each asphalt shingle comes out of the package with a standard warranty from the manufacturer.
However, architectural and luxury asphalt shingle warranties can be upgraded to a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty that covers the entire roof system. To get this warranty, all roofing components (including your asphalt shingles) must come from one manufacturer, and your Nashville roofer must be certified with them.
A steel standing seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish that protects the roof from the elements. Cedar shake shingles don’t usually come with a warranty, so it’s best to avoid natural materials if a material warranty is a necessity.
Material warranties for synthetic shingles vary, so it really depends on the manufacturer your roofer uses. For example, DaVinci’s synthetic shingles come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and a 10-year non-prorated warranty against manufacturer defects.
How long do I want my roof to last?
Other than increasing home value, your roof investment’s ROI is the lifespan of the material. An architectural asphalt shingle is the best option if you’re looking for an affordable roof with a good lifespan.
Luxury asphalt shingles and cedar shake shingles are great options if you want more durability with added curb appeal. If you want a roof that your grandkids have to worry about, consider a standing seam metal roof or synthetic shingles.
Just know that you should also consider your living situation and how long you plan on staying in your home when considering lifespans.
What’s my roof replacement budget?
The most important thing you need to consider is your roof replacement budget. Cost is almost always a determining factor when homeowners are choosing a roofing material.
If you’re looking for the most affordable option or have a tight budget, a 3-tab or architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably right for you. While 3-tab’s low price is tempting, I recommend spending a little more for more life and a better warranty.
If you have a budget you can stretch, a luxury asphalt shingle roof is well worth the investment. But if price isn’t a major factor, a standing seam metal roof or one of the premium roof systems are great options with all their other benefits.
You don’t have to break the bank when getting a new roof. However, it’s absolutely crucial not to try to find the cheapest price in the Nashville area.
What do you need to know before replacing your roof in Nashville, TN?
Now you know the 6 best roofing materials in Nashville, TN. After reading this article, I’m confident you can make the right purchasing decision.
However, choosing a roofing material is just one thing you need to know before replacing your roof. Unfortunately, one of the biggest reasons Nashville homeowners get taken advantage of is because they don’t have crucial information.
Well, I’m tired of hearing horror stories about bad roofers in our community. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the things every homeowner needs to know before replacing their roof in Nashville, TN.
Since 1990, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality roof replacements backed by our lifetime warranty to residents in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas. If you’re ready to get started, Get a Quote to schedule your free roof replacement quote.
Check out 7 Things to Know Before Replacing Your Roof in Nashville, TN, to get the information you need before starting the roof replacement process.
