Is it time to replace your roof? Or are you designing a home and it’s time to choose your roofing material? Either way, you have some decisions to make, not the least of which is what roofing material to use. This rather large decision will be based on several factors: the style of home you’re building, your budget, your HOA’s restrictions, and the location of your house.

There are quite a few different materials used for roofing, but the four most popular types used for residential roofing are asphalt shingles, standing seam metal roofing, synthetic (composite) shingles, and cedar shake shingles. Each option has a distinctive appearance and its own set of pros and cons that you’ll need to consider before committing to one for your home.

Your roof may not be as exciting to design as your kitchen or bring you the same enjoyment everyday as your luxurious master bathroom does, but it is inarguably one of the most important elements of your home. Investing in an upgraded roof is always a wise decision, whether it’s for your own benefit or to increase resale value. Having the peace of mind that your roof isn’t going to leak and damage the interior of your home and your belongings is priceless; however, roofs themselves are not. Each roof has a very distinct price attached to it, and when you’re working within a budget, you do need to choose an option that you can afford.

Here are the pros and cons of these four roofing materials.

Asphalt Shingles

Pros

1. Price – Asphalt shingles typically come in at about $4.50 – 6.00 per square foot, making them one of the most inexpensive options on the market.
2. Appearance – Asphalt shingles complement many styles of homes, and also come in a few different styles: laminated, three-tab, and premium – although these will vary in price. When it comes to creating curb appeal, asphalt shingles are a safe bet.
3. Easy Installation – Lightweight and easy to cut, asphalt shingles require little prep work and no special tools, making for a quick and easy installation compared to other options.
4. Easy to Replace – Each shingle, or a section of shingles, can be replaced as needed, giving you the flexibility to tackle a replacement roof at a later date. Even a full roof replacement is less expensive and less intrusive with an asphalt roof.
5. Options Exist to Extend the Life of Your Roof – Relatively new-to-market products like Roof Maxx provide you with options to extend the life of your roof. By applying soy methyl esters to the shingles, they can be restored to the flexibility and permeability of a much-younger roof.

Cons

1. Easily Damaged in Wind – Depending on the quality of the asphalt shingles that you select, they may be extremely vulnerable during periods of strong winds. If they detach and fly away, your roof is more likely to leak.
2. Crack Easily – The lightweight nature of asphalt shingles is a positive when it comes to installation, but quickly becomes a negative when exposed to fluctuations in temperature. Extreme bouts of heat and cold lead to the expansion and contraction of shingles, leading to cracks, as do extended periods of high temperatures.
3. Can Only Be Installed in Warm Weather – Once winter arrives, you’ll have to put off installing your roof to avoid damaging the shingles. Temperatures below freezing are especially hard on shingles.
4. Standard in Appearance – Asphalt shingles won’t make your home look special or stand out from the crowd like some other options might.
5. Longevity – Asphalt shingle roofs typically last 15-25 years depending on the style you choose and the weather conditions they face.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Pros

1. Longevity – With 50-80 years until you’ll need a replacement, standing seam metal roofing is a long-term solution to your roofing needs.
2. Stand Up to All Types of Weather – Metal panels don’t bend in high winds, and easily expand and contract with changes in temperature. They are also quite watertight.
3. Streamlined Design & Many Color Options – With sleek lines and a wide variety of options, including profiles, sizes, shapes, thickness, and colors, it can be easy to customize your standing seam metal roof to your house.

Cons

1. Price – Depending on the type of metal roof you choose, you’re looking at $3-20 per square foot, with $14-18 being expected. This high cost does reflect the high quality and longevity that you should expect out of the roof.
2. Difficult & Expensive Installation – With a complex installation process, the cost of installation is about 50% more than other types of roofs. It can also be difficult to find a qualified contractor.
3. Time-Consuming Repairs – Since the panels need to be separated in order to replace any of them, it is more expensive and time-consuming to replace them.

Synthetic (Composite) Shingles

Pros

1. Eco-Friendly – Composite shingles are made of recycled materials like rubber and plastic.
2. Appearance – Designed to look just like slate or cedar shake roofs, composite shingles offer an elevated appearance and curb appeal.
3. Durability – Because of their recycled materials, composite shingles are one of the most durable roof options available; you can expect the roof to last 40-50 years and stand up to the most extreme weather, even large hail.
4. Price Compared to Slate & Cedar Shake – A real slate roof will cost more than a composite slate roof; a cedar shake roof will be comparable in price to its composite counterpart.
5. Warranty – The warranties that come with composite shingle roofs are excellent.

Cons

1. Price – Composite roofs will cost $10-20 per square foot, so significantly more than an asphalt shingle roof.
2. A New Product – Composite shingles are still a new product, so there are questions about their long-term performance. You may also struggle to find a contractor to install them.

Cedar Shake Shingles

Pros

1. Curb Appeal – Cedar shake roofs have a very distinctive and high-end look to them.
2. Durability – You can expect your cedar shake roof to last at least 20 years, and typically 10 years longer than an asphalt shingle roof. They are resistant to every type of severe weather.
3. Eco-Friendly and Energy Efficient – When compared to synthetic roofing materials, cedar is much more environmentally friendly to dispose of. They also provide a natural insulation twice that of asphalt shingles, resulting in savings on energy bills.

Cons

1. Cost – A cedar shake roof will cost $25-30 per square foot, as well as requiring a more expensive installation.
2. Requires Regular Maintenance – In order to prevent moss, mold, and mildew from growing on your cedar shake roof, regular maintenance is required, which adds another cost for you to consider.

More than 80% of residential roofing projects choose to use asphalt shingles. With a lower price and easy installation, they are seen in nearly every type of community, including high-end homes. If you’re concerned about the drawbacks of your shingles cracking and lacking durability long-term, you can now take advantage of products like Roof Maxx.

Proven to extend the life of your asphalt shingle roof through roof rejuvenation, a Roof Maxx application can delay your roof replacement by up to 15 years. For those who have already chosen an asphalt shingle roof, this extension to your investment is much-needed relief when it seems like prices on everything are skyrocketing.

You can rest assured knowing that satisfied customers have left positive Roof Maxx reviews. With hundreds of dealers located throughout the United States and new areas constantly being added, there’s never been a better time to discover if Roof Maxx is available in your area.