Best Roofing Materials for Your Home

Your material choice affects upfront cost, long-term value, energy bills, insurance rates, and resale appeal. There's no single "best" material—just the best material for your budget, climate, home structure, and timeline. Here's the honest breakdown contractors use to guide clients.

For cost breakdowns by material and home size, see our Cost Guide.

80% of U.S. homes use asphalt because it's affordable, widely available, and every roofer knows how to install it correctly. It's not the most durable or energy-efficient, but for budget-conscious homeowners or those planning to sell within 10-15 years, it's hard to beat.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

• 3-Tab: Flat, uniform appearance. $3-$5/sq ft, 15-20 year lifespan. Lightest weight, least wind resistance. Best for tight budgets or homes in mild climates with low wind/hail risk.
• Architectural (dimensional): Layered, textured look. $4-$7/sq ft, 20-30 year lifespan. Better wind rating (110-130 mph), more durable. Most popular choice—good balance of cost and longevity.
• Luxury/designer: Mimic slate or shake appearance. $6-$10/sq ft, 30-40 year lifespan (prorated). Thicker, heavier, better warranties. Only worth it if aesthetics or resale value justify the cost.

Pros

• ✓ Most affordable option ($5,500-$13,000 typical homes)
• ✓ Wide contractor availability (no specialty install required)
• ✓ Easy repairs (match shingles, replace damaged areas)
• ✓ Many colors and styles
• ✓ Lightweight (no structural reinforcement needed)

Cons

• ✗ Shorter lifespan than alternatives (15-30 years)
• ✗ Absorbs heat (bad for AC bills in hot climates)
• ✗ Vulnerable to hail and high winds
• ✗ Granules wash off over time (aesthetic issue)
• ✗ Not fire-resistant (Class A rating but still petroleum-based)

Best For

Homeowners on tight budgets, mild climates with low hail/wind risk, those planning to sell within 10-15 years, or situations where upfront cost matters more than long-term value. If you're staying 20+ years and have budget flexibility, consider metal. For repair cost comparisons, check our repair cost guide.

Metal's market share is growing fast—especially in hail-prone areas, hot climates, and among long-term homeowners who want a "forever roof." It costs 2x asphalt upfront but lasts 2-3x longer, cuts cooling costs, and rarely needs repairs. The ROI depends on how long you own the home.

Types of Metal Roofing

• Standing seam: Vertical panels with raised seams. No exposed fasteners. $10-$14/sq ft. Best longevity and weather resistance. Modern aesthetic.
• Exposed fastener panels: Screws penetrate metal into deck. $7-$10/sq ft. Cheaper but fasteners are failure points. Acceptable for low-slope or budget builds.
• Metal shingles: Mimic asphalt or shake appearance. $9-$13/sq ft. Easier retrofit on existing homes. Less durable than standing seam.
• Materials: Steel (most common, rust-resistant coating), aluminum (coastal areas, won't rust), copper/zinc (luxury, 70+ year lifespan, $15-$25/sq ft).

Pros

• ✓ 40-70 year lifespan (often outlives homeowners)
• ✓ Reflects heat (10-25% AC savings in hot climates)
• ✓ Fire resistant (Class A rating)
• ✓ Wind and hail resistant (dents are cosmetic, not functional)
• ✓ Lightweight (similar to asphalt, no reinforcement needed)
• ✓ Low maintenance (rarely needs repairs)
• ✓ Increases resale value ($5,000-$15,000 boost in many markets)

Cons

• ✗ High upfront cost ($15,000-$32,000 typical homes)
• ✗ Noisy in rain/hail if improperly installed (rare with good underlayment)
• ✗ Can dent from large hail (cosmetic issue, doesn't affect function)
• ✗ Fewer contractors specialize in metal install
• ✗ Difficult to match panels for repairs (keep extra panels)

Best For

Long-term homeowners (10+ years), hot/sunny climates, hail-prone areas, fire zones, energy-conscious buyers, or anyone who values low maintenance over upfront savings. If you're selling within 5 years, asphalt is cheaper and you won't recoup metal's premium. Learn about warranty differences between materials.

Clay and concrete tile dominate the Southwest, Florida, and Mediterranean-style homes. They're fireproof, incredibly durable, and handle extreme heat better than any alternative. But they're heavy—your structure must support 850-1,000 lbs per square (100 sq ft). Not every home qualifies.

Types of Tile

• Concrete tile: $10-$18/sq ft. Durable, heavy, available in many colors/profiles. Most common tile type. 50-100 year lifespan.
• Clay tile: $15-$25/sq ft. Traditional terracotta color, lighter than concrete, longer lifespan (75-100 years). Premium aesthetic.
• Profiles: S-tile (barrel), flat tile, interlocking tile. Profile affects cost, weight, and wind resistance.

Pros

• ✓ 50-100 year lifespan (outlasts homeowners)
• ✓ Fireproof (Class A, non-combustible)
• ✓ Thermal mass regulates temperature (cooler in summer, warmer in winter)
• ✓ Wind resistant (proper installation withstands hurricanes)
• ✓ Low maintenance (tiles don't decay)
• ✓ Distinctive aesthetic (Mediterranean, Spanish, Mission style)

Cons

• ✗ Expensive ($20,000-$45,000 typical homes)
• ✗ Very heavy (requires structural assessment, often reinforcement)
• ✗ Tiles crack if walked on improperly (repairs are visible)
• ✗ Limited contractor expertise outside Southwest/Florida
• ✗ Underlayment fails before tiles (re-roofing means lifting tiles)

Best For

Southwestern U.S., Florida coastal areas, Spanish/Mediterranean architecture, fire-prone zones, long-term homeowners with strong roof framing. Not suitable for cold climates (freeze-thaw cracks tiles) or homes with inadequate structural support. For cost planning, see our financing options.

Low-slope roofs (under 2:12 pitch) can't use shingles—water doesn't shed fast enough. Instead, they use membrane systems: TPO, PVC, or EPDM. These are fundamentally different from sloped roofs—heat-welded seams, not overlapping shingles. Drainage is critical; ponding water kills flat roofs.

Material Options

• TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin): $4-$7/sq ft. White reflective surface, heat-welded seams. Most popular flat roof material. 15-25 year lifespan.
• PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): $5-$8/sq ft. More durable than TPO, better chemical resistance, heat-welded seams. 20-30 year lifespan. Best for commercial or high-traffic roofs.
• EPDM (rubber membrane): $4-$6/sq ft. Black rubber, absorbs heat (bad for cooling costs). Glued or mechanically fastened seams (weaker than welded). 15-25 year lifespan.

Pros

• ✓ TPO/PVC reflect heat (10-20% cooling savings)
• ✓ Heat-welded seams are durable (no adhesive failure)
• ✓ Easy roof access for HVAC maintenance
• ✓ Modern aesthetic on flat-roof homes

Cons

• ✗ Requires proper drainage (ponding water = leaks)
• ✗ Seams are failure points (quality install critical)
• ✗ Shorter lifespan than sloped roofs (15-30 years)
• ✗ Fewer contractors specialize in flat roofs

Best For

Modern flat-roof homes, commercial-style residential builds, desert climates, situations where traditional sloped roofs aren't architecturally feasible. Not suitable for areas with heavy snow (weight) or freeze-thaw cycles (membrane stress). Learn about installation timelines for different materials.

Your climate often dictates the best material choice—what works in Arizona fails in Minnesota. Here's what contractors recommend by region.