Homeowner guide
Roofing materials compared: pros, cons and climate
There is no single right roofing material for every home. This guide compares common choices in plain terms so you can have a better conversation with a roofer about what suits your house, climate and local rules.
What shapes the choice
Before comparing materials, a few facts about your home narrow the options:
- Roof slope. Shingles, tile, slate and wood need enough pitch to shed water. Flat and low-slope roofs generally need a membrane. Manufacturers set the minimum slope for each product.
- Structure. Some materials weigh much more than others. Moving to a heavier material can mean an engineering check of the framing.
- Climate. Heat, sun, snow and ice, hail, high wind, salt air and wildfire risk all favor some materials over others.
- Local rules. Building codes, fire ratings, historic district rules and homeowners association covenants can limit materials and colors.
- Insurance. Some insurers treat roof materials differently. Ask your insurer before you decide.
Prices and expected lifespans vary a great deal by product, region and installer, so we do not list them here. Ask each roofer for written quotes and the manufacturer’s warranty for the specific product they propose.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most familiar roof on many homes. They come in flat three-tab styles and thicker architectural or dimensional styles, in a wide range of colors.
Strengths
- Widely available, and many roofers install them.
- Relatively light, so most roofs can carry them without changes.
- Easy to repair in sections when a matching product is available.
Trade offs
- Can lose granules, curl or crack with age and sun exposure.
- Some products are more vulnerable to high wind or hail than others; impact and wind ratings vary by product.
- Need enough slope to shed water and are not suited to flat roofs.
Climate notes: Used in most climates. In hail or high wind areas, ask about products rated for impact or wind and the fastening the manufacturer requires.
Metal roofing
Metal roofs include standing seam panels with raised, concealed fastener seams, exposed fastener panels, and metal shingles shaped to look like other materials. Steel and aluminum are common; copper and zinc are less common.
Strengths
- Light for its coverage area.
- Sheds snow and rain well on suitable slopes.
- Available in reflective finishes and colors.
Trade offs
- Can dent from hail or falling branches, depending on the metal and its thickness.
- Can be louder in rain without suitable underlayment or insulation.
- Needs installers familiar with the system, since details at seams, fasteners and flashing matter.
Climate notes: Used in many climates, including snowy regions where shedding snow helps. In coastal areas, ask about the metal and coating for salt air.
Tile (clay and concrete)
Clay and concrete tiles come in curved, flat and interlocking shapes. They are common on Spanish, Mediterranean and similar styles of home.
Strengths
- FEMA lists clay and concrete tile among the more fire resistant roofing materials, which can matter in wildfire prone areas.
- Hold color well, especially clay.
- Individual broken tiles can often be replaced.
Trade offs
- Heavier than many other materials. Ask whether the roof framing needs to be checked or strengthened before switching from a lighter material.
- Tiles can crack if walked on or struck by heavy hail or debris.
- Need installers experienced with tile and its underlayment.
Climate notes: Common in hot and dry or warm coastal climates. In freeze and thaw climates, ask whether the specific product is rated for it.
Slate
Slate is natural stone split into thin pieces. It has a distinctive look and is often seen on older and historic homes.
Strengths
- FEMA lists slate among the more fire resistant roofing materials.
- Distinctive appearance that suits many traditional styles.
- Individual slates can be replaced by a skilled roofer.
Trade offs
- Heavier than many other materials. Ask a roofer or structural professional whether your roof can support it.
- Brittle underfoot; it can crack if walked on incorrectly.
- Fewer roofers specialize in it, and repairs need matching stone.
Climate notes: Used in many climates, including cold ones. Quality varies by quarry and grade, so ask what the slate is and where it came from.
Wood shakes and shingles
Wood shakes are thicker and split for a rough texture. Wood shingles are sawn for a smoother look. Cedar is common.
Strengths
- Natural look that weathers over time.
- Lighter than tile or slate.
- Suits rustic and traditional styles.
Trade offs
- Wood can burn. FEMA’s wildfire checklist advises avoiding wood shake and shingle roofs in wildfire risk areas. Ask your local building department about fire rating rules where you live.
- Needs airflow to dry out; moss, rot and insects are risks in damp, shaded spots.
- Generally needs more upkeep than many other materials.
Climate notes: Better suited to areas where the roof can dry between rains. In wildfire prone areas, check local code and your insurer before choosing wood.
Synthetic and composite
Synthetic or composite products are made from materials such as plastics, rubber or blends to look like slate, shake or tile.
Strengths
- Lighter than the natural materials they imitate.
- Many products are designed to resist impact.
- A way to get a slate or shake look where the real material is not practical.
Trade offs
- Products vary widely between manufacturers, and some are newer with less track record.
- Appearance and color stability differ by product.
- Not every roofer installs every brand; installation rules are product specific.
Climate notes: Check the product’s ratings for wind, impact, fire and your climate, and ask whether your local code and HOA accept it.
Low-slope and flat roof membranes
Roofs that are flat or nearly flat cannot shed water the way a steep roof does, so they use continuous membranes. Common types are TPO (a single ply thermoplastic sheet with heat welded seams), EPDM (a single ply synthetic rubber sheet) and modified bitumen (asphalt based sheets applied in layers).
Strengths
- Designed to keep out water on roofs with little slope.
- Light colored TPO and coated surfaces can reflect sunlight.
- Repairs to small areas are often possible.
Trade offs
- Seams, edges and penetrations are where leaks tend to start, so installation quality matters a great deal.
- Ponding water can stress the membrane if drainage is poor.
- Dark surfaces absorb heat in sunny climates.
Climate notes: Membrane choice and color often follow climate. Ask how the roof will drain and how seams will be joined for the product proposed.
Cool roofs and climate
A cool roof reflects more sunlight than a typical roof, so it absorbs less heat. ENERGY STAR explains that roofs that are lighter in color or reflective stay cooler than roofs that absorb sunlight, and that cool roofs can be installed on homes as well as commercial buildings. It lists membranes, shingles, coatings, stone, metal and tile with high solar reflectance among the common cool roof materials.
ENERGY STAR also notes that cool roofs save more energy in hot, sunny climates, such as the southern United States. In colder places, the benefit may be smaller. If a cool roof interests you, ask your roofer which products for your roof type carry a cool roof rating, and check whether any local rebates apply.
Questions to ask about materials
- Which materials do you install regularly, and which do you recommend for my roof’s slope and our climate? Why?
- Can my roof structure support this material, or does it need a check first?
- What underlayment, flashing and ventilation does the manufacturer require with it?
- What wind, impact and fire ratings does this product have?
- What does the manufacturer warranty cover, and does your installation keep it valid?
- Does my local code or HOA allow this material and color?
For a full list of questions to bring to every roofer, see our printable checklist. When you are ready to compare companies, our guide to choosing a roofer walks through it.
Frequently asked questions
Which roofing material lasts longest?
It depends on the product, how it is installed, your climate and how the roof is cared for. Ask each roofer for the manufacturer’s warranty and installation requirements in writing, and compare those instead of general claims.
Can my roof hold a heavier material like tile or slate?
Not every roof can. Tile and slate are generally heavier than shingles, so ask a roofer or structural professional to check whether your roof framing can support them before you switch.
What is a cool roof?
A cool roof reflects more sunlight than a typical roof and stays cooler. Cool versions exist for several materials, including shingles, metal, tile, coatings and membranes. They tend to help most in hot, sunny climates.
Can I use shingles on a flat roof?
Usually not. Shingles need enough slope to shed water. Low-slope and flat roofs generally use membranes such as TPO, EPDM or modified bitumen. Follow the manufacturer’s slope requirements and your local building code.
Does my HOA or city limit which material I can use?
They may. Some homeowners associations, historic districts and local codes restrict materials, colors or fire ratings. Check with your HOA and local building department before you choose.
Ready to compare roofers?
Browse roofing companies in our directory, then use these guides to check each one yourself.
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Sources
- ENERGY STAR, Cool Roofs, retrieved November 1, 2026.
- FEMA, Avoiding Wildfire Damage: A Checklist for Homeowners, retrieved November 1, 2026.