Near homeowners in the U.S. cull asphalt shingles because they are of the easiest to find, most affordable and versatile types of roofing. The near durable types of roofing are slate and clay tiles but they're more expensive than materials like metal or wood. Functional roofing alternatives like green roofs and solar shingles are among the most expensive types.

Replacing an old roof is i of the best and most profitable means to invest in a home. Choose the blazon of roof that suits your habitation, climate and upkeep and make certain if yous're installing a new roof to find the correct roofing contractor for you.

Shingles (Cobblestone, Fiberglass, Composite)

Shingles Getty

Almost xc% of homes in the Us use composite asphalt shingles because they're affordable, durable and easy to install. Asphalt shingles merely cost $1.50 to $v.fifty per square foot or roughly $eight,000 per roof installation. They can concluding upwards to 30 years and can be recycled to make pavement.

Manufacturers mix fiberglass, asphalt and mineral composite to create a variety colors like gray, brown, blood-red, green or blue. Even so, their color volition fade over time due to sun exposure. The color and quality will look different depending on whether you choose architectural or three-tab shingles.

Pros

  • Affordable
  • Low-maintenance
  • Like shooting fish in a barrel to observe
  • Works well in nearly climates
  • Comes in a variety of colors
  • Recyclable

Cons

  • Color fades with sunday exposure
  • 3-tab mode decumbent to air current damage
  • Brusque lifespan

Architectural and Three-Tab

Architectural cobblestone shingles are individual tiles that are thicker than three-tab to create a layered, durable texture on your roof. The higher quality material and longer installation make architectural shingles more expensive. Withal, they tin can last 15 to xxx years and are more weather resistant.

3-tab asphalt shingles are thinner and cutting to look like three shingles. This allows for faster installation and creates a uniform, brick-similar pattern. They are prone to loftier winds and generally final 7 to 15 years. These are usually the nigh affordable roofing option.

Metallic Covering

Metal roofing Getty

Metallic roofing feels like a modern selection, but they've been around since the 1800s. Metal sheets and shingles keep to exist a pop choice today considering materials like aluminum and zinc are affordable, easy to transport, low-maintenance and cute—even with age. They can last up to 80 years and price between $6 to $fourteen per square foot depending on design and material.

There are ii types to choose from: shingles and sheets (also chosen panels) that are connected with a "standing seam." You can besides have the metal pre-treated with sealants. While metal covering can come in a variety of colors, you can also paint some styles.

Did You Know? The blue-grey rooftops of Paris go their colour from zinc panels that were start installed in the 1830s.

Pros

  • Low-maintenance
  • Durable
  • Can mimic slate, asphalt or wood
  • Variety of colors
  • Lightweight
  • Recyclable

Cons

  • Needs soundproofing to reduce racket
  • May warp or develop ripples with improper installation
  • Requires specialized labor to install and repair

Standing Seam and Shingles

Standing seam metal roofing takes careful installation to keep panels from rippling to create clean vertical lines. Installing metal sheets like this is usually more than expensive, pricing between $nine and $fourteen per square foot.

Metal shingles are manufactured to mimic slate, asphalt or wood roofing. These, on average, are about $one to $3 per square pes less expensive than continuing seam.

Forest Roofing

wood roofing Getty

Wood roofing pairs well with charming Greatcoat Cod cottages, cozy Craftsman and Tudor-style homes. They showtime sandy brown and silver with age. Wood roofs can concluding 50 years in dry out climates merely demand to be treated in fire-prone areas similar California. Wet climates, such as the East Coast get through wood roofing more quickly due to water damage.

Cedar, redwood and pino are common building materials because they each repel insects. Cedar shake roofing is the virtually pop option and averages $5 to $7 per foursquare pes.

Pros

  • Curb entreatment
  • Natural textile

Cons

  • Susceptible to water damage, mold, mildew and rot
  • May require treatment with fire retardants and chemic preservatives
  • Loftier-maintenance

Shakes and Shingles

There are two ways to shape wood roofing:

  • Shakes are carve up into wedges to produce a more natural, rugged look. These are the more expensive choice, pricing around $three.50 per square human foot and $7 to $13 to install.
  • Shingles are sawmilled into a uniform length, width and thickness to create clean lines. These, on boilerplate, are about $1 to $2 less expensive than shakes.

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Clay Tiles

Clay tile roof Getty

Clay tiles are one of the most popular roofing materials in the world and date back 5,000 years to glazed earthenware rooftops in Cathay. They toll $ten to $xviii per square human foot and last 50 to 100 years or more. Yous can choose from a diverseness of styles like Spanish, French, Scania and more.

While expensive to install and repair, clay tiles last longer than almost all other types of roofing. It's mutual in places like Southern California and Florida because clay roofing is perfect for hot climates, can endure winds of upwardly to 150 miles per hour and is incredibly fire-resistant.

Pros

  • Low-maintenance
  • Great curb appeal
  • Colors include terra cotta, red, brown and greyness
  • Fabricated from natural materials
  • Regulates temperature within the habitation

Cons

  • Vulnerable to impact
  • May need extra structural back up for its weight
  • May require specialized labor to install and repair

Slate Roofing

slate tile roof Getty

Slate is one of the near durable types of roofing material and is similar in toll to clay tiles, ranging from $nine to $20 per square foot. This cloth can terminal fifty to 200 years. In addition to being fireproof and resistant to high winds and extreme temperatures, information technology is also resistant to bear upon from hail and small-scale branches.

You tin can choose from natural, quarried slate or synthetic alternatives similar fiber cement slate or bituminous styles. Synthetic slate is much more than affordable and has many of the same benefits of natural.

Pros

  • Long lifespan
  • Low-maintenance
  • Durable
  • Colors include greyness, blue, green, brown and cerise

Cons

  • Price
  • May need actress structural back up for its weight

Greenish Covering

green, living roof Getty

Greenish roofs (or living roofs) cover your home with vegetation like grasses or native wildflowers that support pollinators. They cost betwixt $10 and $25 per foursquare foot to install and have many benefits such as combatting excessive heat exterior the habitation and reducing rainwater runoff. Green roofs oft last 30 to 50 years.

Once y'all know the truth about green roofing, it might tiptop of your list.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Supports the environs

Cons

  • Gardening and h2o maintenance
  • Needs extra structural back up for weight and water.
  • Requires specialized labor

Solar Shingles

solar shingles Getty

Solar shingles are 1 of the newest types of roofing materials. You'll demand to hire a roofer who specializes in edifice-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) to install information technology.

While solar shingles may piece of work efficiently for 20 to thirty years, this renewable energy solution is an expensive investment. Installation ranges from $21 to $25 per foursquare foot. Withal, they tin can boost the value of your home by $fifteen,000 or more. The time to come of Usa solar ability looks bright.

Pros

  • Produces usable, renewable energy for your abode
  • Improves resale value

Cons

  • Requires specialized labor to install and repair
  • Moderate maintenance
  • Needs extra structural support for weight and wiring