The Best Roofing Finish

Asphalt Shingles

• Asphalt shingles are typically used on houses with sloped roofs, the style of home ranging from historic to contemporary. Asphalt is fire-resistant, easy to maintain and repair, and comes in a wide range of colors. Asphalt shingles are available from inexpensive 3-tab shingles to more expensive architectural shingles that are more durable and stylish. The disadvantages of asphalt shingles include their relatively short life span compared to other options and susceptibility to mildew in damp environments.

Wood Shingles

• Wood shingles are typically made out of cedar and found on cottages, bungalows and historic homes. Cedar weathers to a light gray and is easy to replace or repair. The wood fibers in the shingles contain insulating properties, helping to keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Well-maintained wood shingles last 30 to 50 years. Cedar can be expensive, however, requiring a professional for installation. Maintenance tends to be high as the wood can rot, mold, split or mildew. Fire resistance is low unless the wood has been pressure-treated.

Metal Shingles

• Metal shingles, typically found on historic homes, were commonly used in the early 20th century. Today they can be found on bungalows, cottages and contemporary homes. Metal shingles can be made to mimic the look of other roofing materials, providing a cedar or slate appearance. Lightweight metal shingles are available in many colors and have a life span of 50 years and more. They require little maintenance, are environmentally friendly and provide excellent resistance to hail, wind and fire. Disadvantages include expense, difficulty of installation and the need for regular painting.

Tile

• Tile is usually found on homes of Mediterranean, Spanish, Italian, French eclectic, Spanish eclectic and prairie styles. They are 100 percent fire-resistant and come in many styles and colors. A tile roof is easy to maintain and, when maintained properly, is long-lasting. Tiles are expensive, though, and because of the weight of the tile, homes in such neighborhoods often have strict building requirements. The tiles are fragile, may break when walked on and installation and repair can be difficult.

Other Roofing Materials

• Other less common roofing materials include slate, concrete, hot-mopped asphalt and engineered rubber or plastic. While each has advantages, disadvantages include expense, difficulty of installation or maintenance plus environmental issues.