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Your roof is one of the largest and potentially most distinctive features of your home. The type of roofing material you select can have a big impact on your home’s appearance, energy efficiency and ability to withstand the elements.
In general, asphalt shingles make up the majority of roofs for new construction homes or roof replacements in the United States. Depending on what factors matter to you, different types of roofing materials like metal, solar, clay or slate might be attractive alternatives with their own advantages to offer.
Depending on the damage, roof repairs cost $400—$2,000.
A new asphalt roof can cost $5,000—$10,000.
A metal roof replacement ranges from $7,000 up to $70,000.
Asphalt shingles are the most common material for residential roofs, covering roughly 80% of homes in the United States. Even so, that doesn’t mean you’re limited in your choices. A variety of materials can provide a durable, long-lasting roof and offer different aesthetic or energy-saving advantages.
Asphalt roof shingles are typically made of asphalt, adhesives, fiberglass and a granule mix on the surface. They’re prolific in the roofing market because they balance cost and performance so well. Asphalt shingles are easy to install and can offer quality performance for over 25 years.
“They have a nice price point for the type of performance they can deliver, so the value for the dollar is there,” said Stephen Riale, who serves as the GAF Center for Roofing Excellence’s area manager for external learning and development for the West. However, asphalt shingles have some downsides, too.
Though installation costs are attractive, asphalt shingles have a shorter life span that may make an asphalt roof less cost-effective in the long run than some roofing options. Dark asphalt is a poor choice for energy efficiency compared to other materials. Other materials may also offer distinct aesthetic effects that asphalt can’t perfectly replicate.
Asphalt shingles encompass a range of choices:
Built-up roofing (BUR) is made by layering asphalt and reinforcing felt, known as ply sheets, to form a composite material. BUR is commonly associated with flat or low-slope roof styles. This option, like some other asphalt choices, is relatively inexpensive.
The material holds up well against foot traffic, has a Class A fire rating — which means it scores highly at fire protection — and can be coated with a UV-reflective material.
BUR can be more prone than some other materials to damage from heat or moisture. It can also release unpleasant fumes during installation, which may be an environmental concern. It is a heavy roofing option that may not work for some buildings.
Clay tiles are fired in a kiln to produce dense, water-resistant shingles that can lay flat or follow a wavy pattern. Clay is a beautiful material that can be a strong aesthetic match for certain home styles, like Spanish-style houses in western states such as Arizona.
Clay tiles typically have a Class A fire rating and a Class 3 or 4 hail rating, with Class 4 being the strongest resistance to hail damage. They are also very resistant to high winds. A clay roof can last 100 years or more.
Drawbacks include higher up-front costs, potential breakage and weight. Tile roofing is susceptible to damage during installation and from people walking on the roof. Riale said that clay tile roofing is more challenging to install, especially because the heavier weight can be a concern.
The structure needs to be sufficiently reinforced to handle the dead weight of the roofing materials and any potential live weight of snow, wind pressure and other environmental factors. Working with an experienced installer is especially important to ensure proper installation.
Concrete tiles are made from a sand-based concrete solution. They share many of the advantages and disadvantages of clay tiles. They are long-lasting and strong, as well as capable of withstanding intense winds.
Concrete tiles may be somewhat cheaper than clay. However, concrete is heavier and more porous, so weight and the potential for water damage may be concerns. One sign of an overly porous tile is efflorescence, or a chalky appearance due to calcium carbonate powder on the tile surface.
Green roofs offer an eco-friendly roofing system with a unique construction — they feature a waterproof membrane, root barrier drainage system and a layer of soil and living vegetation. Green roofs, or living roofs, can offset the effect of heat islands, a phenomenon that happens when buildings absorb and release heat without enough plant life around to cool the air.
Green roofs can also insulate the home — leading to prolonged life of HVAC systems — and contribute to improved stormwater management. But layers of roofing material, soil, plants and irrigation equipment make green roofs very heavy. This roof type is also more vulnerable to weather damage and leaks than some other materials.
Additionally, green roofs can be pricey and demand more maintenance to function well. You may also decide that a vegetation cover over your home does not match your preferred aesthetic style.
Membrane roofing uses durable ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), which is a type of synthetic rubber, or thermoplastic sheets to make a watertight barrier. You may be most likely to see membrane roofing on low-slope or flat roof areas or as a layer underneath a green roof. This roofing type can be helpful for water protection on flat areas that could be more likely to collect rain.
The thermoplastic sheets are typically black or white, which offers little variety in aesthetic appeal. Generally, membrane roofs are used as a functional choice for commercial structures and are more obscure in many residential areas.
Black membranes can hold heat, and white ones will show dirt or discoloration easily. Membrane roofing can also be damaged due to shrinkage or punctures, and it’s prone to leaking if it’s not installed correctly.
EPDM can also be used to make rubber shingles for roofing. The lightweight material is highly rated against fire, lightning and wind. The adhesives installers use for rubber roofing can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), resulting in unpleasant fumes that can affect indoor air quality. Rubber roofing is another type that may take specialized experience to install correctly to prevent other issues with ill-fitting shingles or leaks.
Renee Ramey, the executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, said that metal roofing is made from four basic alloys: steel, aluminum, copper and zinc. Steel is the most common and comes in its own subtypes, such as galvanized steel (which has a zinc coating to protect against corrosion) or Galvalume (which has a zinc-aluminum blend for coating).
“Aluminum also is a great choice, especially for coastal climates, and copper and zinc are stunningly beautiful, often used for high-end projects and to highlight architectural details,” Ramey said. She added that a properly installed metal roof is rated to withstand winds from an F2 tornado on the Fujita Scale.
Metal roofs are lightweight and can weigh about half as much as asphalt shingles. Painted metal roofs can be an energy-efficient choice because they can remain cool. Metal roofs last 50 years or more, according to Ramey, and the material is fully recyclable, whereas only a small percentage of asphalt shingles are recycled.
Depending on the type of alloy, roofing style and other factors, metal roofs can be substantially costlier than many other materials.
Rolled roofing comes in rolls of mineral-coated material. It’s cheap and easy to install. You’re most likely to see it on low-slope roofs.
Besides cost and convenience, rolled roofing doesn’t offer many advantages over other materials. It has a short life span, often less than 10 years. It’s not suitable for flat roofs because it’s vulnerable to leaks. Compared to other options, it’s not a strong insulator and may have less favorable wind ratings or impact resistance for elements like hail.
Slate roofs typically appear on some high-end new constructions or historic homes to preserve the original look. Traditionally, these roofs are made with genuine slate. However, synthetic slate tiles can provide a similar look at a lower cost and weight. The thicker the slate, the better the performance.
Quarried slate can be expensive and, like clay roofs, requires an experienced professional to install correctly. According to Riale, it can also vary widely in quality depending on sourcing. Some quarries are known for excellent quality slate, while others may sacrifice quality, often to lower costs.
If you’re interested in reducing dependency on utilities for electricity, you may wish to collect solar energy from your roof. Solar panels are one way to accomplish this, or you could go with solar shingles. The latter integrates solar energy absorption into the structure of the roof itself.
Solar shingles look similar to a typical shingle. This can make them a good choice if you’re concerned about glare or if your homeowners’ association doesn’t allow solar panels. They also provide a waterproof installation, whereas traditional solar panel installation may puncture your roof if performed incorrectly.
“We incorporate solar cells into the shingle,” said Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “As compared to a solar panel, [where] you drill a hole into a regular roof and hope they’re waterproofed.”
So, should you buy solar shingles? Depending on your home’s roof pitch and direction, solar shingles may perform similarly to solar panels. While solar shingles don’t collect as much energy per square foot, they can cover the entire surface as opposed to only part of it, so the total effect is about 95% as much solar energy as panels.
However, they’re more expensive and have a longer payback period — assuming your roof is in good condition. Solar panels typically last 25–30 years, which is about the life span of an asphalt roof. If you need to replace your roof before installing traditional solar panels, the cost is comparable to installing solar shingles.
In the end, solar shingles only make sense if you need a new roof, while solar panels are cheaper but require your roof to be in good condition before installation.
A wooden roof can bring natural beauty to your home. Wood roofing comes in shingles (machine-cut and smooth) or shakes (hand-split or saw-cut and ridged). Cedar is a popular choice.
Wood acts as an excellent insulator, which can help with soundproofing and reduce energy costs. The high aesthetic appeal and excellent wind and impact resistance can make wood an attractive choice.
Fire resistance is more of a concern with wood roofing than many other materials. A wood roof needs a component system, which is a combination of fire-retardant-treated wood shingles and an underlying asphalt cap sheet, to achieve the highest fire rating. The shingle or shake can only reach a Class B fire rating and won’t have a Class A fire resistance by itself.
Some wood roofs may be unrated for fire, and you should assume this is the case if you can’t find documentation for your roof. Wood also tends to absorb moisture more readily than other materials, so humidity, snow and saltwater can cause damage over time.
Many types of roofs can last a long time, decades or more. But eventually any roof can weaken with age and need attention. A worn-out roof can be compared in some ways to a sunburn. “Think about your skin in the sun,” DeBono said. “[Roofs] discolor, they become more brittle, maybe some shingles flake off.”
The elements can cause wear and tear to a roof over time. You may notice signs such as the following:
Any leaks, especially consistent leaks or leaks that pop up in multiple spots around your home, are a major sign to move quickly on a roof repair or replacement. Most roofing types build in some degree of redundancy. Underneath the roof surface, you’ll usually have some underlayer to prevent leaks even if there’s a vulnerable spot or missing shingle or two. If water’s making it through that layer, it can mean serious damage.
According to Riale, you might need to draw a line in the sand as a homeowner as far as how much to spend on repairs. Extensive repairs can cut into your budget, so set a target figure ahead of time to determine when it’s more worthwhile to replace the roof altogether.
If your roof is showing signs of wear, you might be looking ahead to what’s next for your home. Start by considering what factors are most important to you in a new roof. Energy efficiency, solar energy potential, cost, longevity, weather-resistance factors and aesthetic all play a part in your ideal roof. Your best roofing option depends on which features matter most to you.
Once you have preferred styles in mind, look for roofing companies and reputable roofing contractors with experience in that style. Roofing associations in your region or that specialize in your preferred roofing material may be a starting point to find a reputable company to work on your home.
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