Do you need a new roof? Are you trying to choose the right roofing material for your replacement?
The roofing material you choose impacts pricing, lifespan, warranties, and much more. It’s one of the biggest decisions you’ll make during the process, so choosing the right one is crucial.
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, the team at 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 top 8 residential roofing materials. After that, you’ll learn the questions to ask yourself to ensure you make the right decision.
1. 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 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
- Hard to color matches for repairs and insurance
- Needs yearly maintenance
- Low curb appeal
- Prone to wind damage
2. 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: ≈$5.86 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
3. 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 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
4. 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.
Cost: ≈$4.50-$6.50 per square foot
Lifespan: ≈20 years (can get up to 30 with maintenance)
Material warranty: Paint warranty, but 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
5. 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: ≈$12.00-$15.00 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
6. 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: ≈$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
7. 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:
- 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
8. 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: ≈$15.00-$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:
- 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 top 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:
- How much am I willing to spend on my new roof?
- Do I want my roof to stand out?
- How long do I want my roof to last?
- Do I want the best roofing material warranties?
How much am I willing to spend on my new roof?
The very first thing (and most important) you need to ask yourself is how much you’re willing to spend on your new roof. While 3-tab shingles are an option for extremely tight budgets, they are getting harder to find with them being phased out of the industry.
So, if you’re looking for the most affordable option or have a tight budget, I recommend an architectural asphalt shingle roof. On the other hand, a luxury asphalt shingle roof is well worth the investment if you have wiggle room to stretch your budget.
If budget isn’t a major deciding factor, a standing seam metal roof or one of the premium roof systems are great options for all their other benefits. However, I never recommend breaking the bank when getting a new roof.
Instead, choose the one that fits your budget and invest in quality without trying to find the cheapest price.
Do I want my roof to stand out?
The next thing you need to ask yourself is if you want your roof to stand out. Just know this is where things get subjective because everyone has different tastes.
However, each roofing material offers different levels of curb appeal. An architectural asphalt shingle roof is probably for you if looks aren’t the most important thing.
I’m not saying they don’t make good roofs, but architectural shingles are the most common roofing material in the United States. If you want a bigger boost to your home’s curb appeal, consider a luxury asphalt shingle or standing seam metal roof.
However, if you want a roof that turns heads and stands out from the rest, you should look at synthetic shingles, cedar shakes, or slate tiles.
How long do I want my roof to last?
While a new roof increases home value, its main form of ROI is its lifespan. So, it’s crucial to consider how long you want the roof to last.
An architectural asphalt shingle is the best choice if you’re looking for an affordable roof with a decent lifespan. If you want much more durability with increased curb appeal, luxury shingles or cedar shakes are great options.
If you want a roof that your grandkids have to worry about, consider a standing seam metal roof, synthetic shingles, or a slate roof. You should also consider your living situation and how long you plan on staying in your home when considering the different roofing materials.
Do I want the best roofing material warranties?
A roofing material warranty protects your roof investment in the event of defective materials. Material warranties greatly vary, which is why you need to ask yourself if they matter to you.
All asphalt shingles come out of the package with a standard warranty from the manufacturer. However, certified roofers can offer a 50-year non-prorated enhanced warranty on architectural or luxury shingles by getting all the asphalt roofing components from one manufacturer.
A standing seam metal roof comes with a 30-year paint warranty on the Kynar 500 painted finish that protects the colors and panels from the elements. Exposed fastener roofs also come with a paint warranty, but the length depends on the manufacturer.
The material warranty on synthetic shingles depends on the manufacturer, but they’re pretty comparable. Unfortunately, cedar shakes and slate tiles don’t come with a standard material warranty because they’re naturally occurring materials.
So, you shouldn’t consider a cedar shake or slate roof if a roofing material is important to you.
Did you decide which roofing material is right for you?
After reading this article, you should have a good idea of which roofing material is right for you based on the information provided. And I’m confident you’ll make the right decision as long as you ask yourself the questions mentioned here.
Remember, choosing a roofing material is one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make for your roof replacement. The only thing bigger than this decision is choosing a reputable roofing company.
Unfortunately, the roofing industry is full of bad roofers looking to take advantage of homeowners. I don’t want this to happen to you.
That’s why I wrote another article with tips for hiring a great roofer in your area.
Check out 9 Tips for Hiring a Great Roofing Contractor to learn what to look for when getting estimates for your upcoming roof replacement.
