Roofing Material Comparison
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Choosing a roofing material means weighing cost against how long it lasts, how much it weighs, and whether it suits the pitch of your roof. This puts the common materials side by side and shows which of them can go on a roof as steep, or as shallow, as yours.
Roofing Material Comparison
Compare roofing materials by lifespan, weight, minimum pitch and cost, and see which suit your roof pitch.
Three-tab asphalt shingles
- Typical life
- 15 to 25 years
- Weight per square
- About 200 to 250 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 2 in 12, doubled underlayment below 4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $
The cheapest roof to install, and increasingly replaced by architectural shingles in manufacturer ranges.
Architectural asphalt shingles
- Typical life
- 20 to 30 years
- Weight per square
- About 250 to 430 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 2 in 12, doubled underlayment below 4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $ to $$
The most common roof on North American houses, with better wind ratings than three-tab.
Standing seam metal
- Typical life
- 40 to 70 years
- Weight per square
- About 100 to 150 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 1/4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$$
Hidden fasteners and a long life with little upkeep. Installation needs a specialist crew.
Exposed-fastener metal panels
- Typical life
- 20 to 40 years
- Weight per square
- About 50 to 150 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 3 in 12, lower only with sealed laps where the maker allows
- Installed cost
- $$
Common on barns, sheds and budget homes. The screws and washers need checking and replacing over the years.
Clay tile
- Typical life
- 50 to 100 years
- Weight per square
- About 800 to 1,200 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 2 1/2 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$$$
Very durable, but heavy and easily cracked underfoot. The structure has to be built for it.
Concrete tile
- Typical life
- 30 to 50 years
- Weight per square
- About 900 to 1,100 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 2 1/2 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$ to $$$
The look of tile for less than clay, and just as heavy.
Natural slate
- Typical life
- 75 years or more
- Weight per square
- About 800 to 1,500 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$$$
Among the longest-lasting roofs of all. Needs a specialist to install and repair, and a structure built for the weight.
Wood shakes
- Typical life
- 20 to 40 years
- Weight per square
- About 300 to 400 lb
- Minimum pitch
- 4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$$
A natural look that needs regular upkeep, and may be restricted in wildfire areas unless treated.
Synthetic slate or shake
- Typical life
- 30 to 50 years
- Weight per square
- Varies, usually far lighter than the real thing
- Minimum pitch
- Often 4 in 12; check the product
- Installed cost
- $$ to $$$
The look of slate or shake at a fraction of the weight. Quality varies a lot between brands.
Single-ply membrane: EPDM, TPO or PVC
- Typical life
- 20 to 30 years
- Weight per square
- Light, when adhered or fastened
- Minimum pitch
- 1/4 in 12
- Installed cost
- $$
For flat and low-slope roofs. The seams and edge details decide how long it lasts.
Minimum pitches follow the International Residential Code; your local code and the product instructions can be stricter. Lifespans, weights and costs are typical ranges: climate, ventilation, installation and upkeep move them a long way. Cost is relative, from $ for the cheapest to $$$$.
Reading the comparison
Minimum pitch is the hard limit: below it, a material is not allowed by the building code, whatever else it has going for it. Weight matters if you are changing material, because a roof built for asphalt may not carry tile or slate. Lifespan and cost pull against each other, and the lifetime cost calculator shows how they balance over the years you expect to own the house.
Typical, not guaranteed
The lifespans and weights here are typical ranges. The same material lasts far longer on a well-ventilated roof in a mild climate than on a hot, poorly ventilated one, and products within each type vary. The product data sheet and warranty are the figures to rely on for a specific choice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest-lasting roofing material?
Natural slate and clay tile can last many decades, often well over 50 years, and standing seam metal commonly lasts 40 years or more. All three cost more to install and need a structure and installer suited to them.
What roofing materials can go on a low-slope roof?
Below 2 in 12, membranes such as EPDM, TPO and PVC, or standing seam metal rated for low slopes. Asphalt shingles need at least 2 in 12, with a doubled underlayment below 4 in 12.
Can I switch from asphalt shingles to tile?
Only if the roof structure can carry the extra weight, which can be several times more. Have an engineer check the rafters or trusses before planning the change.