---
title: The 6 Most Popular Types of Roof Shingles for Your Home
description: Are you trying to find the right roof shingle for you? If so, you need to know the most popular type of roof shingles for residential roofing. In this article, you'll learn the 6 most popular roof shingles for your home, including their cost, lifespan, material warranty, and pros and cons.
image: https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Featured%20Images%20%2844%29.jpg
---

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[Cedar Shake Roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/cedar-shake-roof) | [Asphalt Shingle Roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/asphalt-shingle-roof) | [Roofing materials](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/roofing-materials) | [Slate Roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/slate-roof) | [Synthetic Roofing](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/topic/synthetic-roofing)

# The 6 Most Popular Types of Roof Shingles for Your Home

June 30th, 2023 | 7 min. read

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![The 6 Most Popular Types of Roof Shingles for Your Home](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Featured%20Images%20%2844%29.jpg)

<https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan> ![Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hubfs/Bill%20on%20hiking%20trail.png "Bill Ragan")

[Bill Ragan](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/author/bill-ragan)

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The roof shingle you choose impacts how many years your roof lasts, how much it costs, and much more. This makes picking the right one a crucial decision. 

Luckily, there are plenty of roof shingle options that fit any budget, aesthetic, and anything else a homeowner looks for. Unfortunately, it’s like Goldilocks picking the bowls of porridge (chair, bed, or another version).

You need to find the perfect roof shingle fit for your situation, budget, and personal tastes.

**For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided unbiased roofing information so homeowners have the power to make the right decisions.** That’s why I’ll break down the 6 most popular roof shingles among homeowners. 

This article covers the following roof shingles, including their cost, lifespan, material warranty, and pros and cons:

- 3-tab asphalt shingles
- Architectural asphalt shingles
- Luxury asphalt shingles
- Synthetic shingles
- Cedar shake shingles
- Slate tile shingles

## 3-tab asphalt shingles

[**3-tab asphalt shingles**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/reasons-upgrade-3-tab-shingles-architectural-shingles)** lay flat and get their name from the 3 tabs on each shingle strip. **This asphalt shingle dominated the residential roofing industry until technology improved enough to create architectural asphalt shingles. 

![3 tab asphalt shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/%5BIM%5D%20Image%20Assets/3tabAsphaltShingles3.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=3tabAsphaltShingles3.jpg)

**Cost: **≈$4.00 per square foot

**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](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/why-cant-find-color-match-3-tab-asphalt-shingle-repair)
- 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**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-are-architectural-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 today but also the most common shingle in general for residential roofing.

![architectural asphalt shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Architectural%20Asphalt%20Shingles-1.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=Architectural%20Asphalt%20Shingles-1.jpg)

**Cost: **≈$5.86 per square foot

**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) shingles**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-luxury-asphalt-shingles)** are a premium line of shingles designed to look like a natural slate tile roof.** They are larger, thicker, and more durable and offer the highest curb appeal than the other asphalt shingles. However, they are also the most expensive.

![luxury asphalt shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Luxury%20Shingles0-1.png?width=500&height=281&name=Luxury%20Shingles0-1.png)

**Cost: **≈$8.00 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
- Stands up well to storm damage

**Luxury asphalt shingle cons:**

- Expensive
- Longer installation compared to the other asphalt shingles
- Needs yearly maintenance

## Synthetic shingles 

[**Synthetic (also called composite) shingles**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/synthetic-roof-shingles)** are made of a synthetic polymer or recycled materials and designed to mimic the look of a slate or cedar shake roof. **This roofing material is newer than the others on this list, but it’s becoming increasingly popular in residential roofing.

![synthetic slate shingles and synthetic cedar shake shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SyntheticCombo.jpg?width=500&height=281&name=SyntheticCombo.jpg)(Left: synthetic slate; right: synthetic cedar shake)

**Cost: **≈$14.00-$20.00 per square foot

**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 shingles

[**Cedar shake shingles**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-cedar-shake-roof)** are a premium roofing material made of natural wood (cedar) materials.** It’s considered one of the best-looking roof systems on the market.

![cedar shake shingles](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cedarshakeroof2-2.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=cedarshakeroof2-2.jpg)

The shingles are made from large cedar trees in the Northwest United States or Southwest Canada. The quality of cedar shake shingles is split into [3 grades (types)](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/grades-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 shingle pros:**

- Very high curb appeal
- Durable

**Cedar shake shingle 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

## Slate tile shingles

[**Slate tile shingles**](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-is-slate-roof)** are a premium roofing material made primarily out of natural slate mined from the earth that are cut into square tiles. **Unlike other roofing materials that come in 3-foot wide strips, slate tiles are installed one at a time slowly and very carefully. 

![slate tile roof](https://www.billraganroofing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SlateRoof1.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=SlateRoof1.jpg)

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: **≈$15.00-$30.00

**Lifespan: **75 to 100 years 

**Material warranty: **None (made from natural materials)

**Slate tile shingle pros:**

- Longest lasting roofing material available
- Very high curb appeal
- Durable

**Slate tile shingle cons:**

- Expensive
- The weight factor
- Slate tiles are fragile
- Slow and skillful installation
- Harder to repair
- No material warranty

## The factors you need to consider when choosing the right roofing material

Now you know the 6 most popular types of roof shingles for your home, plus their cost, lifespan, material warranty, and pros and cons. With this information, you’re on your way to picking the best one for your situation. 

But it’s understandable if you’re still on the fence or just don’t know what to do with this information. Well, I want you to be 100% confident you’re making the right decision. 

That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the main factors you need to keep in mind when choosing between these roof shingles. 

Check out [6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Roofing Material](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-choose-right-roofing-material-roof-replacement) so you have the confidence to make the right decision all on your own.

[![roofing material quiz](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3406853/e54bfda3-5bea-47e4-bcff-a2554af25f22.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3406853/e54bfda3-5bea-47e4-bcff-a2554af25f22)

#### Table Of Contents

## Related Articles

[### Cedar Shake vs. Synthetic Cedar Shake: Which is Right for You?

 July 3rd, 2026|9 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/natural-cedar-shake-vs-synthetic-cedar-shake)

[### Standing Seam Metal Roof vs. Cedar Shake Roof: Which is Right for You?

 April 15th, 2026|9 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/standing-seam-metal-roof-vs-cedar-shake-roof)

[### Asphalt Shingles vs. Cedar Shake: Which Is Better for Your Home?

 December 3rd, 2025|12 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/asphalt-roof-vs-cedar-shake-roof)

[### Does a Cedar Shake Roof Need Maintenance?

 October 31st, 2025|7 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/cedar-shake-roof-maintenance)

[### What are the Different Grades of Cedar Shake Shingles?

 March 12th, 2025|7 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/grades-cedar-shake-shingles)

[### 7 Things to Know About Cedar Shake Roofing in Nashville, TN

 March 5th, 2025|5 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-know-about-cedar-shake-roofing-nashville-tn)

[### What is a Cedar Shake Roof Replacement?

 April 1st, 2024|5 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/cedar-shake-roof-replacement)

[### What is a Cedar Shake Roof? (7 Things to Know Before Investing In One)

 March 4th, 2024|7 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-cedar-shake-roof)

[### How Long Does a Cedar Shake Roof Last?

 February 12th, 2024|6 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/how-long-cedar-shake-roof-last)

[### How Much Does a Cedar Shake Roof Cost?

 January 15th, 2024|6 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/cedar-shake-roof-cost)

[### The Pros and Cons of Cedar Shake Roofing

 July 5th, 2023|6 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/pros-cons-cedar-shake-roofing)

[### The 7 Best Roofing Materials (Pros, Cons, Cost, Lifespan, and More)

 June 19th, 2023|11 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/best-roofing-materials)

[### What To Keep In Mind When Buying Natural Roof Materials

 November 8th, 2022|1 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-keep-in-mind-buying-natural-roof-materials)

[### Pros and Cons of a Cedar Shake Roof

 October 20th, 2022|1 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/pros-cons-cedar-shake-roof)

[### 5 Things to Know Before Choosing a Natural Roofing Material

 September 30th, 2022|6 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/things-know-before-choosing-natural-roofing-material)

[### Everything You Need to Know About Cedar Shake Roofing

 June 9th, 2022|1 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/everything-need-know-cedar-shake-roofing)

[### What are the Different Types of Cedar Shake Shingles?

 May 31st, 2022|1 min read 

](https://www.billraganroofing.com/blog/what-different-types-cedar-shake-shingles)

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