When it is time to re-roof your home, either because you are trying to enhance your home’s appearance, or because it truly needs it, the first decision you have to make is what type of roofing material that should be used.
The type of material that you ultimately use will be dependent on your specific home, what you are looking for in terms of efficiency and the budget you have for the project.
This is an important decision and one that should be discussed with the roofing contractor you choose for the project.
Why the Material Decision is the Most Important Roofing Choice You’ll Make
The roofing material you select determines how long your roof lasts, how much energy your home wastes, and what it will cost to maintain over the next 20-50 years. Choose wrong and you may be re-roofing in 15 years. Choose well and the roof outlasts your mortgage.
Every other roofing decision – contractor, underlayment, flashing – is secondary to the material. A well-installed inferior material will still underperform. That’s why this decision deserves more research than most homeowners give it.
How Your Roof’s Pitch Determines Which Materials Are Viable
Roof pitch is the first filter. It is the slope of your roof measured as a ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run. A “4:12 pitch” means the roof rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal distance.
Pitch matters because water drainage depends on it. Flat or low-slope materials need a different drainage system than steep-slope materials.
| Pitch Range | Classification | Compatible Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2:12 | Low-slope / flat | TPO membrane, EPDM rubber, modified bitumen |
| 2:12 to 4:12 | Low-moderate | Metal panels, some clay tiles |
| 4:12 and above | Standard steep-slope | Asphalt shingles, metal, wood shakes, slate, clay tile |
| 8:12 and above | Steep slope | All materials, plus cedar shakes and slate work best here |
If your home has a low-slope or flat section; common on additions, garages, and modern-style homes; asphalt shingles applied to that section will fail prematurely. Water pools instead of draining, and the shingles deteriorate from underneath.
Chimneys, vent pipes, and skylights also affect material selection. Each penetration through the roof requires flashing; a metal seal that prevents leaks. The more penetrations, the more complex the install, regardless of material.
What Each Roofing Material Costs and How Long It Lasts
Cost and lifespan are connected but not proportional. Cheaper materials require replacement sooner, which means you may spend more over 40 years by choosing the lowest upfront option.
| Material | Installed Cost per Sq Ft | Lifespan | 50-Year Cost (2,000 sq ft roof) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt (3-tab) | $3-$5 | 15-20 years | $18,000-$30,000 (2-3 replacements) |
| Asphalt (architectural) | $4-$6 | 25-30 years | $16,000-$24,000 (1-2 replacements) |
| Metal (standing seam) | $10-$16 | 40-70 years | $20,000-$32,000 (1 replacement) |
| Clay or concrete tile | $12-$18 | 40-50 years | $24,000-$36,000 (1 replacement) |
| Slate (natural) | $20-$35 | 75-150 years | $40,000-$70,000 (no replacement) |
| Wood shakes | $7-$12 | 20-30 years | $28,000-$48,000 (1-2 replacements) |
Asphalt Shingles: Best for Budget-Conscious Homeowners
Asphalt shingles are the most widely used roofing material in the U.S., installed on approximately 75% of American homes.
They cost $3-$6 per square foot installed and last 20-30 years depending on shingle grade. Architectural shingles last longer and look better than standard 3-tab shingles for roughly $1 more per square foot.
They work well in most climates but perform poorly in areas with sustained high heat; the asphalt softens and granules shed faster, cutting lifespan by 5-7 years in hot, sunny regions.
Metal Roofing: Best Long-Term Value for Most Climates
Metal roofing including standing seam steel, corrugated panels, and metal shingles lasts 40-70 years with minimal maintenance.
It reflects solar heat, reducing cooling costs by 10-25% in warm climates. Standing seam systems cost $10-$16 per square foot installed.
Metal works on slopes as low as 1:12 with the right panel design, making it one of the few materials viable across both low-slope and steep-slope roofs.
Clay and Concrete Tile: Best for Hot, Dry, or Coastal Climates
Clay tile is standard in Mediterranean and Spanish-style architecture across the Southwest, Florida, and California. It lasts 40-50 years, handles heat exceptionally well, and resists salt air corrosion; making it reliable in coastal environments.
The trade-off is weight. Clay tile runs 900-1,200 lbs per square (100 sq ft). Many older homes need structural reinforcement before installation, which adds $1,000-$3,000 to the project cost.
Slate: Best for Historic Homes and Long-Term Investment
Natural slate lasts 75-150 years: the longest lifespan of any roofing material. It is fire-resistant, waterproof without coatings, and maintains its appearance for generations.
The cost ($20-$35 per sq ft installed) and weight make it unsuitable for most standard home builds, but for historic properties or high-value homes where longevity matters most, no material outperforms it.
Wood Shakes: Best for Rustic or Craftsman-Style Architecture
Cedar shakes work visually with Craftsman, Cape Cod, and cottage-style homes. They provide natural insulation and last 20-30 years with proper maintenance; including annual cleaning and periodic re-treatment with preservatives.
Wood shakes are banned or restricted by fire codes in several states, including parts of California, Colorado, and Texas. Check local regulations before specifying this material.
How Roof Material Affects Your Home’s Appearance and Resale Value
The right material matches your home’s architectural style. An incompatible choice lowers curb appeal and can reduce resale value regardless of the material’s quality.
| Architectural Style | Materials That Work | Materials to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Colonial / Traditional | Architectural asphalt shingles, slate, wood shakes | Clay tile, standing seam metal |
| Ranch / Suburban | Asphalt shingles, metal shingles | Natural slate |
| Mediterranean / Spanish | Clay tile, concrete tile | Asphalt, wood shakes |
| Modern / Contemporary | Standing seam metal, flat membrane | Clay tile, wood shakes |
| Craftsman / Bungalow | Wood shakes, architectural asphalt | Clay tile |
| Coastal | Metal, clay tile | Standard asphalt (degrades faster in salt air) |
Roof material replacement returns roughly 60-68% of its cost at resale on average, but premium materials like metal and slate in appropriate applications can return 85-95% in markets where buyers value longevity.
How Climate and Region Should Drive Your Material Choice
Climate is one of the most overlooked factors in material selection. A material that performs well in Minnesota will degrade faster in Florida, and vice versa.
| Climate Type | Best Materials | Materials to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Hot and humid (Southeast U.S.) | Metal, clay tile, algae-resistant asphalt | Standard asphalt, wood shakes |
| Hot and dry (Southwest U.S.) | Clay tile, concrete tile, metal | Wood shakes |
| Cold and snowy (Northeast, Midwest) | Architectural asphalt, metal | Clay tile (freeze-thaw cracking risk) |
| Coastal / salt air | Metal (with marine coating), clay tile | Standard asphalt, bare wood |
| High wind (Gulf Coast, Plains) | Metal (Class 4 impact rating), concrete tile | Thin asphalt 3-tab shingles |
Ice dam formation where snow melts and refreezes at the roof edge is a specific concern in cold climates. Metal and architectural asphalt shingles with proper underlayment handle ice dams better than 3-tab shingles.