What is the Most Expensive Roofing Material?
The answer depends on your home’s style and climate. Below, we’ll review the most common roofing materials and their costs and lifespans:
Luxury asphalt shingles cost $70-120 per square. They provide a traditional look with a lifespan of 30 years. They are also fire and water resistant.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials on the market for homeowners. They are durable and affordable, providing an attractive appearance that adds resale value to a home. These shingles can also be modified with special features like skylights or traditional chimneys without the need to alter the entire roof, which may not be possible for other roofing materials.
Depending on the type of asphalt shingle, they can offer different protection for your home. 3-tab shingles are the most basic and economical, while architectural shingles (or laminated shingles) have more layers to create a more dimensional appearance on your roof. There are also specialized asphalt shingles that fight algae growth or provide enhanced resistance to damaging hail, which can help reduce your insurance costs in some cases.
Most shingles are made from recycled paper and wood fibers, and are coated in adhesive asphalt. Three-tab shingles are the most economical, and they have an average lifespan of 15-20 years. Architectural and luxury shingles have more substantial appearances and can last up to 30 years or more.
In addition to a variety of color options, asphalt shingles are designed with fire and wind resistance in mind. They also have the ability to be modified with extra features, such as ice and water barriers, that help protect against leaks.
Many shingle manufacturers also offer specialty products to enhance your roof’s performance, which can help lower energy expenses. For example, impact-resistant shingles are a great choice for homes located in areas where hail damage is common, and cool roof colors reflect the sun’s heat, helping to keep your house cooler.
While the overall longevity of a roofing material is important, it’s just as important to consider how long you expect to live in your current home. The average homeowner spends 13.2 years in their current home, meaning that you’ll likely have to replace your roof multiple times during the course of your ownership. For that reason, budget should be a primary consideration when choosing your roofing material.
Other types of roofs can last much longer than asphalt shingles, but they often come with a higher upfront cost. Metal roofing is one of the most expensive options, but it’s also extremely durable and has a long lifespan. Slate and wooden shingles can also last a long time, but they’re more costly up front and require regular maintenance.
Slate Tiles
Slate roofs add a touch of luxury to your home and come in a variety of styles. They are also some of the most durable and expensive roofing materials available. Slate is a type of metamorphic rock, and it can be split into flat slabs to create tiles for the roof. Slate has a class A fire rating, resists high winds, and holds up well in wet climates. Slate is also highly resistant to mold and fungus, and it can easily withstand hail impacts.
While a slate roof is not cheap, it can last for over 200 years and adds substantial value to your home. It is typically used on large and upscale homes because of its initial cost, and it requires skilled craftsmen to install.
Other types of roofs can provide a similar look and durability to slate at a fraction of the price. These roofs start out sandy brown and turn silver with age, and they need regular maintenance from Cambridge Roofing to limit water infiltration. They are not recommended for areas with wildfires, though a fire-resistant coating can be added to the wood shingles and shake.
Alternatively, you can choose a membrane roof that provides a solid barrier to water infiltration. Popular options include neoprene and EPDM. Membrane roofs are not as attractive as shingle-type roofs, and they can be more difficult to install, but they do provide a sturdy roof structure for your home.
A roofing contractor will estimate the cost of installing your roof by the square, which covers 100 square feet of your roof area. Three-tab asphalt shingles are the least expensive at $80 to $130 per square, while metal, tile, and slate cost the most.
Wood Shingles & Shake
Wood shingles and shakes provide an attractive aesthetic to your roof while providing an environmentally friendly option. They are usually made from cedar, redwood or southern pine. Because of their natural qualities, they are popular among those looking for a rustic or cottage-style home. They also tend to weather to a beautiful gray color, and they look great when combined with other natural roofing materials like slate or clay tile. However, they are susceptible to mold, fungus and fire and can rot over time, which is why some homeowners choose to treat them with a fire-resistant sealant. In addition, they can be expensive when compared to asphalt shingles and must be installed by a licensed professional.
Generally, wood shingle and shake roofs can last up to 30 years if they are well maintained. The best way to extend their lifespan is by regularly cleaning out gutters and downspouts twice a year, keeping the roof free of debris and brush, and replacing any damaged shingles. They should be inspected by a licensed professional for any signs of rot or leaking. It is also a good idea to have the roof inspected annually, especially in regions with harsher climates or at risk for wildfires.
Luxury asphalt shingles are thicker and designed to mimic the look of slate tiles, which makes them more costly than traditional three-tab shingles. They should last up to 30 years, and they are a good choice for those who want a natural look for their roof.
Another type of shingle that is typically more expensive than regular asphalt shingles are clay and concrete tiles, which create a very stylized look for your roof. They are popular with Mediterranean, Mission and Southwestern-style homes, and they also offer a number of other benefits such as being extremely durable, fire resistant, and low maintenance. However, they can be quite heavy which will require additional framing to support the weight of your roof. They also cost more than other types of shingles and are typically only installed on larger homes.
Clay & Concrete Tiles
Whether you are replacing a damaged roof or simply upgrading your home’s style, a new tile roof can enhance your property’s value and curb appeal. Choosing the best roofing materials depends on your budget and specific needs, including the aesthetics of your home, the amount of maintenance required, energy efficiency and durability.
Clay and concrete tiles add texture and beauty to your roof, and can be designed to match different house styles such as Mediterranean, Mission, Southwestern and Spanish. They are long-lasting and durable, with the ability to last up to 100 years or more if properly maintained. They are an excellent insulator, which means they can keep heat out in the summer and cold out during the winter.
While clay tiles may seem expensive, they are much more affordable than slate and wood shingles, which tend to be the most expensive roofing materials. They can cost between $10 and $18 per square foot, which can work out to be around $1,000 to $32,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home with a 6/12 pitch roof. These figures are based on material costs and do not include a contractor’s labor charges.
These figures are approximate, as costs can vary by location and roofing configuration. The best way to determine the true cost of a tile roof is to speak with a qualified professional from a local roofing company.
Clay and concrete roof tiles are manufactured from a combination of sand, Portland cement and water, molded under heat and pressure to form a solid sheet. They are available in flat, low and high profiles and can be painted to give a unique style. They are very durable and offer a level of insulation that is not found in other roofing materials. These qualities also make them a popular choice for commercial buildings. One downside of these tiles is that they can be prone to efflorescence, which can manifest as white patches or a lightening of the color of your roof. Luckily, this is only cosmetic and can be remedied by cleaning your roof regularly. Similarly, the tiles can be affected by moss and lichens, so keeping them clean and free of these growths is crucial.
The answer depends on your home’s style and climate. Below, we’ll review the most common roofing materials and their costs and lifespans: Luxury asphalt shingles cost $70-120 per square. They provide a traditional look with a lifespan of 30 years. They are also fire and water resistant. Asphalt Shingles Asphalt shingles are one of the…