Asphalt Composition Shingles
- Materials: Made of either an organic paper fiber mat (better for cold weather and wind resistance) or fiberglass (more fire and moisture resistant) impregnated with asphalt and coated with mineral granules.
- Appearance: Available in traditional 3-tab shingles or thicker laminated “architectural” shingles.
- Eco-Friendly: Petroleum based product that’s not eco-friendly. Can be recycled, though often taken to landfills.
- Durability: Not very durable. Algae resistant shingles are available in humid climates to prevent staining.
- Weight: Moderate in weight.
- Slope: Can be used on fairly low to steeper sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Good fire resistance, fair wind resistance.
- Cost: Inexpensive to moderate.
Metal
While more expensive than asphalt, metal roofing lasts longer and is more wind resistant.
- Materials: May be composed of steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc alloy. Steel roofs come with either a zinc coating or painted finish. Copper roofs are installed unfinished and acquire a protective green patina with age.
- Appearance: Available in sheets or in shingles that resemble other materials. Can be installed with the fasteners hidden (standing seam) or exposed.
- Eco-Friendly: May be made from recycled materials and can be recycled when replaced. Absorb a third less heat than asphalt.
- Durability: Fairly to very durable, depending on the material.
- Weight: Lightweight.
- Slope: Available for low or steep sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Good resistance to both fire and wind.
- Cost: Moderate (steel) to expensive (copper).
Plastic Polymer
These durable synthetic roofing shingles resemble either wood shakes or slate.
- Materials: Molded from a high-tech plastic polymer material.
- Appearance: Made to resemble slate or wood shakes.
- Durability: Claimed to be long lasting and low maintenance.
- Eco-Friendly: Some are made from recycled materials. Can be recycled when replaced.
- Weight: Light to moderate in weight.
- Slope: Can be used on moderate to steep sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Good fire and wind resistance.
- Cost: Moderate.
Clay Tile
- Materials: Made from natural clay which is fired in a kiln.
- Appearance: Traditional Italian or Spanish look, can also be made to resemble wood shakes or slate.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials but requires significant energy to manufacture.
- Durability: Long lasting and low maintenance but brittle and can break.
- Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roof framing to support.
- Slope: Can be used on moderate to steeper sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Excellent fire resistance, fair to low wind resistance.
- Cost: Expensive.
Concrete Tile
Less expensive than clay tiles, concrete roof tiles are also heavy but can last a long time and are very fire resistant.
- Materials: Made from a mixture of Portland cement and sand.
- Appearance: Can be made to resemble traditional clay tiles, wood shakes, or slate. Color can be throughout tile or only applied on the surface.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials but requires significant energy to manufacture.
- Durability: Long lasting and low maintenance but can break.
- Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roof framing to support.
- Slope: Can be used on moderate to steeper sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Excellent fire resistance, fair to low wind resistance.
- Cost: Moderate.
Slate
Slate is one of the oldest roofing materials. Though brittle and expensive, it is very durable and resists both wind and fire.
- Materials: Made from natural slate rock.
- Appearance: Usually dark gray with irregular appearance.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials.
- Durability: Long lasting, durable (depending on where quarried).
- Weight: Heavy, require reinforced roofing structure to support.
- Slope: Steep sloped roofs only.
- Fire & Wind: Good fire and wind resistance.
- Cost: Very expensive. Requires specially trained workers to install.
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Wood shingles and shakes made from rot resistant woods have low fire resistance unless treated.
- Materials: Commonly made of cedar, but can also be made of other rot resistant woods, such as redwood.
- Appearance: Gives natural look, weathers to a silvery gray. Available in sawn shingles or thicker split shakes.
- Eco-Friendly: Made from natural materials.
- Durability: Short lifespan and requires periodic maintenance.
- Weight: Moderate in weight.
- Slope: Can be used on moderate to steep sloped roofs.
- Fire & Wind: Good wind resistance, poor fire resistance (can be treated with a fire retardant).
- Cost: Moderate.
