Do you need a new roof, but you're worried about the cost? Are you looking for a cost-effective but quality roofing material?
There’s no way around the fact that a new roof is a large investment. The good thing is that there are plenty of roofing material options for any budget.
However, affordability is almost always a homeowner’s biggest concern. So, it makes sense to start with the most cost-effective material and go from there.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners with the transparent advice they need to feel confident when making their roofing decisions. Now, I’ll do the same for you.
First, you’ll learn the most cost-effective roofing material and its three types. After that, you’ll learn why it’s crucial to look for a cost-effective roof instead of a cheap one.
What is the most cost-effective roofing material?
Asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing material on the market. However, there are three types of asphalt shingles.
Not only does the one you choose impact pricing, but it also determines the lifespan, increase in curb appeal, and more. So, it's a decision you want to get right.
Below is a breakdown of the three types of asphalt shingles in order of cost-effectiveness, plus their price, lifespan, warranty, and pros and cons.
3-tab asphalt shingles
3-tab asphalt shingles are the cheapest roofing material on the market in general. However, they’re becoming obsolete and phasing out of the roofing industry because higher-quality asphalt shingle options are available at affordable prices.
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
Architectural asphalt shingles
Architectural asphalt shingles (also called dimensional) are the most commonly used roofing material in the United States. Even though they aren’t much more expensive than 3-tab shingles, the quality, lifespan, storm damage durability, and warranties are much better.
Architectural asphalt shingles are the best option if you’re looking for a cost-effective but quality roofing material.
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 asphalt shingles are the most expensive asphalt roofing material in residential roofing. They’re almost double the cost of architectural shingles but offer higher curb appeal and a longer lifespan.
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
As I said, architectural asphalt shingles are the best cost-effective roofing material available if you’re looking for affordability without sacrificing quality. You can go cheaper with a 3-tab shingle, but the quality gap makes the small price difference worth the expense.
Why should you look for a cost-effective roof instead of the cheapest price?
Now you know asphalt shingles are the most cost-effective roofing material available. You still need to decide which type of shingle to choose, but I’m confident you’ll make the right decision by using the information above.
I understand looking for a cost-effective option with how expensive a new roof is, but it’s not the same as the lowest price. In fact, looking for the cheapest possible comes with major risks.
Let’s look at the reasons why you should look for a cost-effective option instead of a cheap price.
You increase the chances of being taken advantage of by a bad roofing contractor
The biggest problem with looking for a cheap roof is the increased risk of being taken advantage of by a bad roofing contractor. You immediately become a prime target if a bad roofer learns you’re looking for the lowest price.
They’ll find ways to lower their prices to beat the competition and hope you jump at it without looking deeper at why. Unfortunately, this pretty much guarantees low-quality materials and cheap labor to install them.
I’m not saying a lower-priced roofing company will take advantage of you. However, you should be skeptical if one is much cheaper than others because there are always reasons why.
Roofing contractors won’t offer long-term protection on a cheap roof
In my opinion, roofers should offer no less than a 10-year warranty to protect against installation mistakes. Unfortunately, getting a cheap roof guarantees a short workmanship warranty.
I guarantee you won’t get long-term protection on a roof with cheap materials installed with cheap labor. Instead, you’ll get a tail light warranty (the warranty is gone as soon as you see the truck’s tail lights disappear) to a one-year to five-year warranty.
They’ll offer a warranty just long enough to avoid fixing any problems that will show up down the road. And once the warranty period is over, you’ll pay out of pocket for the repairs.
Your roof won’t last as long as it should
A new roof increases home value, but the main return on your investment is how long it lasts. Depending on the shingle type, an asphalt roof should last anywhere from 15 to 30 years.
No matter the shingle you choose, I guarantee a cheap roof won’t last as long as it should. You may think you can choose high-quality materials but save some money on the labor.
However, roofing materials and components are only as good as the installation. So, investing in quality materials means nothing if there are cut corners and/or incorrect roofing techniques.
A cheap roof could end up costing more in the long run
After investing in a new roof, the last thing you want is to spend more money. Unfortunately, a cheap roof usually means spending more money in the long run on repairs and even another roof replacement if it fails prematurely.
And because a cheap roof comes with a short workmanship warranty, you’ll pay out of pocket for repairs once the warranty period expires. This won’t be cheap, and there’s a good chance there are other issues.
While a cheap roof is tempting, it will bring frustration and take more of your hard-earned money.
You won’t qualify for an enhanced shingle warranty
Asphalt shingles come out of the package with a standard material warranty to protect against manufacturer defects. However, most asphalt shingle manufacturers offer an extended or enhanced warranty if you get a full roof system installed by a certified roofing contractor.
This guarantees labor, materials, and dump fees are covered for a non-prorated period of 50 years if any part of the roof is defective. Unfortunately, I guarantee a cheap roof won’t qualify for an enhanced warranty.
Mixing materials from different manufacturers is one problem, but a roofing contractor offering cheap prices is most likely not certified. Unfortunately, improper installation or inadequate attic ventilation voids all material warranties.
So, using cheap labor increases the risk of having no recourse for defective materials.
What are the best asphalt shingles on the market?
After reading this article, you now know the most cost-effective roofing material available and why investing in cost-effectiveness and affordability is crucial. Even as a roofing contractor myself, I understand a new roof is expensive.
You don’t need to break the bank to afford one, but you also shouldn’t try to find the cheapest price in your area. With this in mind, you still need to choose an asphalt shingle.
Picking the right type is one thing, but you’ll also need to know the different brands and how their shingles compare to each other. Doing this takes a lot of research and work on your part.
Wouldn’t it be easier if you could see the best options broken down by the things that matter? If you answered yes, I wrote another article doing just that.
Check out The 6 Best Shingles to Consider for 2025 to learn the best asphalt shingles across the different brands and manufacturers you should consider.
