12 Types of Roofing Materials and Their Costs (2023)

FAQs

What type of roofing is cheapest? ›

The Simple Answer Is… Asphalt shingles! These are some of the lowest-cost materials on the market for roofing.

The most expensive type of roofing material is slate.

For labor and materials, you can expect the cost of a slate roof to start around $15.00 per square foot and has the potential to get up to around $30.00 or more per square foot.

Roofing material that lasts the longest are concrete, clay or slate tiles. These materials significantly outperform other natural products like wood shakes or any manufactured roofing materials including asphalt shingles and metal roofing. Although these materials have a good lifespan, they are not as durable.

Asphalt shingles are popular because they blend looks, longevity, and a reasonable price, and they're typically the easiest to install, saving you money on labor costs as well. Specialty roofing materials like slate, tile, and metal tend to cost much more, but they can also last much longer—and they look nicer.

The cost of installing asphalt shingles on a roof ranges from approximately $4.90 to $8.40 per square foot. The average cost of installation for a cedar roof is between $2 and $3 per square foot. The average cost to install a flat roof is between $4 and $5 per square foot.

Roofing materials aren't cheap, especially if you have a large or complex roof, but professional installation is what boosts the expense. Labor often accounts for 40% to 50% of the cost, Miller says, largely because a lack of skilled roofers has driven up rates.

Average cost to replace a roof based on house size:

1,000 square feet: $4,000 to $5,500. 1,100 square feet: $4,200 to $6,000. 1,200 square feet: $4,500 to $6,500. 1,500 square feet: $5,500 to $8,000.

The most 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.

Aluminum is the most popular type of corrugated roofing due to the fact that it's less expensive than either steel or copper. While steel and copper are stronger metals, the corrugated shape strengthens the aluminum sheets and results in a durable, long-lasting and affordable roof.

What is the most popular roofing? ›

The most common residential roofing material used in the United States, asphalt shingles are popular because they are economical and easy to install. These shingles can be reinforced with fiberglass or organic materials (cellulose) without changing the appearance of the shingle.

Cool option: Wood shingles and shakes are naturally “cool colored” materials. Polymer shingles (also known as synthetic or composite shingles) are formed of polymer shaped to resemble asphalt shingles, wood shingles, wood shakes, slate, clay tiles, or concrete tiles. They are overlapped to cover the roof.

Lighter colored shingles might be better for longevity than dark colored shingles because of the way they react to light and heat.

Metal roofs feature a system of interlocking panels that protect the house and provide full coverage from and resistance to the elements. Unlike other roofing materials, metal is installed with fewer seams, giving water and moisture less room for intrusion. That makes it the best roof for a rainy climate.

Slate. The longest lasting roof is not manufactured at all, it's a natural material. Slate roofs are fireproof and nearly indestructible (although slate is brittle, so avoid walking on a slate roof). A hard slate roof can last up to 200 years, while soft slate will last only about a century.

Starter shingles are a pre-cut row of roofing material that goes underneath the first course of shingles before they're installed. It makes sure that there's roofing material between the joints where the shingles butt against each other on the edges of your roof.

The national average cost to replace a roof is around $8,000, with most people spending in the range of $5,500 to $11,000. The two largest variables you'll deal with on a job like this are the square footage of your home (and thus, your roof), and the type of roofing material you choose.

Know your roof replacement materials

Asphalt tends to be the contemporary go-to roofing option: It offers many benefits in that it's cost-effective (prices average around $2,500 for a roof of 17 squares — coverage for a 2,200 sq. -ft. house, the average U.S. home size), easy to install and can last for a generation.

If you're on a tight budget, asphalt shingles are going to be the most cost-effective roofing material for your upcoming roof replacement. While asphalt is the cheapest roofing material, there are 3 different types of asphalt shingles that vary in price and affect how much you'll spend on your roof replacement.

What color roof adds value to home? ›

If you're someone who needs a more technical answer, this article explains that roofs with good resale value tend to be neutral-colored. This includes tan, brown, black, and gray.

Without a drip edge, water may end up beneath the shingles and may cause damage to various parts of the home. Though your home may not have originally had a drip edge installed, drip edges are now required by most building codes across North America to protect homes from damage.

Metal roofing is a great choice for homes in places with extreme winter weather. Snow and ice slide down metal roofs, relieving any worries about standing water on the roof. Metal roofs with standing seam panels and rib panels are among the most resilient and weather-resistant roofing systems on the market.

Water Damage

Next to wind, rain and snow lead the list of common causes of roof damage. Leaks are reportedly the most frequent issue that homeowners face, and it is usually because of extensive snow or rain.

Metal roofs might not be the most attractive choice to some homeowners, but it's the safest, most secure option available. Living in a hurricane-prone area like Florida requires being prepared for high winds. A metal roof can weather hurricane-force winds up to 160 mph, making it the most wind-resistant solution.

O. 35 to 0.40mm thickness is best for general walling projects and medium roofings like small or medium sized factories. 0.40 to 0.47mm thickness can be used for medium-to large roofing projects such as factories and buildings with high quality constructions.

Considered to be the grandfather of metal roofing, copper roofs have been used for centuries around the world. Copper is an extremely long-lasting metal that in ideal environments, can last well over 200+ years.

Metal roofing is durable and routinely lasts 2-4 times longer than shingles. Homeowners like the idea of buying only one more roof in their life instead of potentially several. Metal roofing outperforms shingles in cases of hail and other severe weather events.

Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing materials in America because they're effective in all environmental conditions.

What is the latest roofing? ›

Synthetic materials are proving to be as popular in 2022. They're a good fit for homeowners who want a more durable product that replicates the wood texture and natural color of traditional asphalt shingles or cedar shakes. Synthetic roofing material is polymer based and made from plastic and rubber.

Not only do the metal panels themselves cost more than asphalt shingles, but a metal roof also requires more skill and labor to install. You can actually expect the cost of a metal roof to be more than double or triple the cost of an asphalt shingle roof.

Plain and simple, the absolute cheapest roofing material based on cost alone is asphalt shingles. However, some other options are more expensive at the initial cost but will last longer, such as wood shingles, metal shingles, slate shingles, and solar glass shingles.

Roll roofing is the cheapest roofing material as you'll pay less than a dollar per square foot. Each roofing has its pros and cons. For example, cedar roofing has fantastic insulating properties, but it's the most expensive of the bunch. Meanwhile, asphalt shingles are cheaper but may only last 15 years.

Shingle roofs are cheaper up front.

Metal roofs generally can run from $120 to $900 per 100 square feet (one 10-foot by 10-foot area, or a “square” of material), while asphalt shingles will be between $100 and $200 per 100 square feet. Its installation will also run you more for metal since it's a more specialized job.

Do Metal Roofs Leak More Than Shingles? If installed incorrectly, metal roofs have the potential to leak more than shingles. However, if you find an experienced contractor who can install it correctly, metal roofs shed snow and ice to prevent moisture buildup.

In almost every case, the answer is yes, you can lay down a new metal roof over an existing shingle roof. This is one of the many reasons metal roofs keep growing in popularity – their installation doesn't require completely tearing off the existing roof, which is a time-consuming and expensive job.

Increased Home Resale Value

A metal roof can improve a home's resale value by up to 6% compared to a home with an asphalt-shingle roof. Additionally, a report by Remodeling magazine shows a metal roof has a 61% return on investment.

The most 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 one of the best and most profitable ways to invest in a home.

Slate. A slate roof can last between seventy-five and a hundred and fifty years. Slate is the most costly and the most durable of the durable roofing materials.

How long will roll roofing last? ›

Rolled roofing materials are popular for homeowners looking to replace their own flat roof. It's known for its ease of installation, but it's lifespan is short with an expectancy of only 5-15 years and no manufacturer warranty.

Roll roofing does not require underlayment, but it's well worth the added effort and cost to install. Roof underlayment is an extra layer of protection against the rain, snow and other things that lead to excessive water.

The average lifespan of asphalt roll roofing is 5 to 10 years. With proper maintenance, you can expect to get the maximum life from your asphalt roll roof.

Average cost to replace a roof based on house size:

1,100 square feet: $4,200 to $6,000. 1,200 square feet: $4,500 to $6,500. 1,500 square feet: $5,500 to $8,000.