Popular Roofing Materials Explained: Which One Fits Your Needs?

The most critical decision when building a home is choosing the right roof. This choice affects the functionality of your home, its aesthetic appeal, and the amount of maintenance and repairs in the coming years.

However, homeowners often feel overwhelmed with all the options for roofing materials. If you’re in a similar dilemma, we have assembled the best roofing options in this guide. By highlighting their pros, cons, and suitability, we’ll help you make the best choice.

Popular Roofing Materials

1. Asphalt Shingles

Known to be the most common roofing material, asphalt shingles have a $7.3 billion share in the global market! The material is available to all roofing contractors.

It comes in different options, such as 3-tab asphalt shingles, architectural laminate asphalt shingles, premium laminated asphalt shingles, and performance laminated asphalt shingles.

Pros

• Asphalt shingles are much less expensive than other alternatives. So, they are extremely budget-friendly.
• The material comes in a range of styles and colors. Thus, it’s versatile and works for homeowners with different aesthetics and styles.  
• It’s easy to install and demands lower installation costs.

Cons

• The material has a short lifespan of around 20-25 years.
• Its insulation power is low.

Suitable for: Variety of architectural styles, including traditional suburban ones.

2. Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is popular since the 1800s, owing to great looks and durability. They are available in different materials, including aluminium, zinc, and copper.

Pros

• Metal roofing has greater durability than asphalt and wood. It lasts up to 40-75 years.
• The roofing material is lightweight, low-maintenance, and recyclable.
• It’s energy-efficient, i.e., reflects solar radiant heat and reduces cooling costs.
• You’ll find it in a range of colors and can mimic asphalt, slate, and wood.

Cons

• It’s much more expensive.
• You need soundproofing to eliminate noise.

Suitable for: Cabins, bungalows, cottages, and contemporary-styled homes.

3. Slate Roofing

Slate roofing is another evergreen option that is popular for its longevity and timeless appearance. It’s also known to be environmentally friendly, as the material requires minimum processing.

Pros

• Slate roof doesn’t need regular maintenance.
• It’s fire-proof, wind-resistant, and resists impacts of branches and hail.
• It’s highly durable, with a lifespan of 50-100+ years.
• Available in a range of colors, such as grey, brown, red, green, and blue, they suit different home aesthetics.
• Owing to its high density, the material is energy-efficient. It keeps the indoors cool during summers and warm during winters by preventing indoor air from escaping.

Cons

• The material is quite expensive.
• Slate is extremely heavy and needs special framing. Thus, installation costs will be high.

Suitable for: European, Colonial, and French chateau homes.

4. Clay and Concrete Tile Roofing

Tile roofing materials, whether concrete or clay, are more popular in warm climates. They come in a range of styles and shapes, such as modern flat tiles and traditional Spanish tiles.

Pros

• Clay and concrete tiles can withstand extremes of weather.
• Tile roofing is known to offer top-notch thermal insulation and keeps your home cooler in hot weather.
• Available in diverse colors, including red, brown, grey, and terracotta.
• The material lasts up to 50-100 years with best maintenance.
• They are low-maintenance, fire, insect, and rot-resistant.

Cons

• The material is expensive.
• Tiles are heavy and delicate, which needs expert labor, extra support, and higher installation costs.

Suitable for: Spanish, Southwestern, Mediterranean, and Mission-styled homes.

5. Wood Shakes and Shingles

Wood shakes and shingles are classic choices if you want a rustic look. Shakes are hand-split and look uneven, while shingles are machine-cut and uniformly sized.

Pros

• They offer a natural look to your home, elevating aesthetics.
• Being a great insulator, wood regulates indoor temperature.

Cons

• Wood needs high maintenance as it’s prone to rot, mold, or split.
• It’s prohibited in fire-prone localities. Even if it’s not, the material requires fire retardant and chemical preservatives.
• Wood roof has only 20-30 years lifespan.

Suitable for: Homes with rustic aesthetics, cottage, Tudor-styled homes.

6. Green Roofing

Green or living roofing refers to roofs with lightweight plants and vegetation. These are grown over a waterproof membrane-covered roofing material.

Pros

• This roofing option offers thermal insulation
• It improves air quality.
• It absorbs rainwater.

Cons

• It’s expensive and high-maintenance.
• All localities may not allow it.

Suitable for: Contemporary homes

Selecting the Right Roofing Material with Us

To select the best for your home, consider these tips to finalize your choice!

• Understand the weather constraints of your locality. For instance, clay is better for hot climates while metal is favorable for cold and wet localities.
• Assess your overall budget for roof installation and maintenance. Asphalt shingles are budget-friendly throughout, but slate has a higher upfront cost with long-term savings.
• Identify what kind of aesthetics you’re aiming for.  

However, with a range of popular roofing materials, you might still not have a clear answer. In that case, it’s best to seek expert advice. Connect to our team of experts at LA Roofing Materials.

With a range of high-quality roofing materials and years of experience, we can help you find the best roofing solution within your budget and needs. So, contact us and let your roofing project begin!