Need a new roof? Are you looking for a durable and long-lasting roofing material?
Anytime you invest in something, you want to get as much as you can out of it. Your roof is no different.
That’s why durability is a huge factor when choosing a roofing material for your roof replacement. Every roofing material is durable in some way, but some stand above the rest when it comes to durability and lifespan.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners like you find the perfect roofing material based on their wants and needs. Because durability is a big decision making factor, let’s break down the most durable roofing materials in order.
By the end of this article, you’ll learn the 6 most durable roofing materials, plus their lifespans, pricing, warranties, and pros and cons.
1. Slate tiles
Slate roofing is considered to be the most durable roofing material. It’s made of naturally mined slate (usually from Italy), cut into individual square tiles
Because of this, slate tiles are installed one at a time instead of coming in strips, on mats, or metal panels like other roofing materials. Slate roofs are also incredibly heavy when installed, so your home has to be built or retro-framed to carry the weight of a slate roof.
Lifespan: 75 to 100+ years
Cost: ≈$20.00-$30.00 (price includes all material and labor costs)
Material warranty: None (made from natural materials)
Slate roofing pros:
- Longest-lasting roofing material available
- Very high curb appeal
- Durable
Slate roofing cons:
- Expensive
- The weight factor
- Slate tiles are fragile
- Slow and skillful installation
- Harder to repair
- No material warranty
2. Copper metal roofing
Copper metal roofing is a premium metal roofing material considered durable enough to be a lifetime material. It’s softer than steel, but it’s still incredibly durable and lasts longer.
While durability is a huge selling point, the curb appeal is the biggest reason homeowners are drawn to copper. That’s why it’s frequently used for flashing, gutters, chimney caps, bay windows, cupolas, and more to accent other roofing materials.
Lifespan: 50+ years (Lifetime material)
Cost: ~$30.00+ per square foot (price includes all material and labor costs)
Pros of copper metal roofing:
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Patina look as it ages (varies by homeowner)
- Resistant to corrosion
- High curb appeal
- Recyclable
- Great for accenting other roofing materials
Cons of copper metal roofing:
- Very expensive
- Soft (makes it prone to denting)
- May not be readily available in certain areas
- Patina look as it ages (varies by homeowner)
- Staining things around the roof from water run-off
3. Synthetic shingles
Synthetic (also called composite) shingles are a very durable roofing material designed to look exactly like natural slate or cedar shake. Depending on the manufacturer, they’re made out of a synthetic polymer or recycled rubber.
This gives them a high impact-resistance rating because they can absorb hail and anything else that hits them. Keep in mind that this roofing material is a newcomer to the roofing industry, but it’s becoming increasingly popular among homeowners.
Lifespan: ≈40-50 years
Cost: ≈$14.00-$20.00 per square foot (price includes all material and labor costs)
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
4. Steel standing seam metal roofing
Steel metal roofing is the most common type of metal used in residential roofing because of its durability at a more affordable price compared to other materials. While steel can be used for both metal roof systems, the durability and long lifespan are specific to standing seam.
This is mainly due to the Kynar 500 painted finish that’s applied specifically to steel standing seam panels. It’s crucial to the durability because the painted finish protects the panels if anything ever hits them.
Lifespan: 30 years (up to 50 in the right conditions)
Cost: ≈$12.00-$15.00 per square foot (price includes all material and labor costs)
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
5. Luxury asphalt shingles
Luxury (also called designer or premium) shingles are the most durable asphalt shingle designed to look like a natural slate tile roof. They are larger, last the longest, offer the highest curb appeal, and are the most expensive of the three types of asphalt shingles.
The big reason for their durability is the thickness and multilayer design. However, in recent years, some manufacturers have also modified them with SBS to give them even stronger impact resistance.
Lifespan: ≈30 years or longer in perfect conditions
Cost: ≈$8.00 per square foot (price includes all material and labor costs)
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
6. Cedar shake shingles
Cedar shake shingles are a premium roofing material with durability that comes from their wooden materials. Natural wood shingles can withstand pretty strong damage and last a long time.
However, your area must be somewhere between a very moist and a dry climate to get the most out of them. And when it comes to durability, it’s crucial to get the highest grade of cedar shake shingles.
Lifespan: ≈30 years (up to 50, depending on your area’s climate)
Cost: ≈$25.00-$30.00 per square foot (price includes all material and labor costs)
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 else do you need to consider when choosing a roofing material?
After reading this article, you know the 6 most durable roofing materials used in residential roofing. While there are other durable materials like Spanish tile, these are the most commonly used in the United States.
Durability is a huge consideration when choosing a roofing material. However, it’s not the only thing you need to be thinking about when making a decision.
And because it’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, it’s crucial to make the right one. That’s why I wrote another article with the things you need to consider when going through the decision-making process.
Check out 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Roofing Material to ensure you make the choice based on the things that matter to you most.
