Shingles — whether they be asphalt, wood, clay, slate, or metal — are the most recognizable part of a roof. Not only do they provide protection, they’re a decorative element that adds charm and character to a home. Through a specific layering pattern, they create a waterproof barrier between your home and the elements, keeping you and your family dry and comfortable.
But like all materials, shingles don’t last forever. You’ll have to replace them at some point, whether because of damage from weather events or because they’ve run out of their service life and no longer provide adequate protection.
In this article, I explore the different types of roof shingles and discuss factors that can help you select the best option for you.
If you’re in the market for a new roof or just considering your options, contact our top recommended roofers today.
- Shingles are the principal component of a roof. They do the bulk of shedding water.
- They come in different colors and different materials: asphalt, wood, clay, slate, metal, and composite.
- The best shingle is the one that fits in your budget and looks the best on your home.
- You do a simple roof replacement yourself, but leave high and complex roofs to a roofing contractor.
What Are Roofing Shingles and Why Do I Need Them?
Shingles are the most crucial part of a roof. They’re what’s doing the most work to shed water from your roof and prevent it from coming into your house. By layering various materials in a step pattern, water descends the roof like stairs and ends up in your gutters to be whisked away down your downspouts and away from your house.
Shingles aren’t the only way to protect a roof. Some roofing systems use other materials and methods to shed water from the house. For example, flat roofs use systems that combine tar, waterproof membranes, and ballast. For pitched roofs, however, shingling is the most prevalent roofing method.
Shingles are advantageous because, being small, they can be layered and arranged in such a way as to conform to the shape of almost any roof. Peaks, valleys, changes in pitch are all easily covered and secured against wind and weather.
What Are The Different Types of Roof Shingles?
The most common types of roofing shingles are made of different materials: asphalt, metal, clay, wood, slate, and composite. Below I detail each and discuss the pros and cons.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most prevalent shingle type in North America. They’re a laminated shingle, manufactured by compressing layers of tar, fiberglass (see our fiberglass installation cost), and granules to create a robust and waterproof barrier that can withstand the sun, snow, and rain. Historically, the three-tab shingle was the most common, but these days, architectural shingles are becoming the norm. Read our article to discover the cost estimate of architectural shingles.
This common shingle choice is common for a reason. With good protection and an average service life of 25-30 years, all at a low cost, it’s an appealing option for homeowners on any budget. The only thing I can say against the well-loved and time-honored asphalt shingle is that it lacks a bit in the character department. Though the broad array of available colors keeps it from standing out for the wrong reasons, it goes mostly unremarked in even the best case. That can be fine for some, but it can be a lost opportunity for others.
For those environmentally conscious homeowners, you can use asphalt shingles made from recycled material.
Asphalt shingles come in three major styles: architectural, three-tab, and luxury.
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles blend the qualities of metal with the flexible application of shingles. Metal is a strong and durable material that (with the proper paint and protective coating) can serve as a fantastic shingle.
Metal shingles come in various colors and styles, which is a big selling point. The application is as straightforward as asphalt shingles, and the market for them has grown over the last few decades. In my opinion, though, they’re the least appealing option. They’re more expensive than asphalt shingles, without providing value for the increased cost; they’re more slippery (especially when wet), making any work on the roof riskier; and they lack the flexibility of asphalt shingles to provide visually appealing solutions to edge cases and unique architectural situations that are difficult to address with a straightforward application.
Clay Tile Shingles
Clay shingles have been used for thousands of years, which is a testament to how well they’re suited for roofing. A simple recipe of clay and fire creates a durable, waterproof shingle that can last a lifetime.
The appearance of clay is one of their biggest selling points. Because they’re made of a natural material, their color and appearance have a very earthy, natural look that can add charm and coziness to a home. They’re also naturally fire-resistant. While they won’t save a house from a fire, coupled with other fire-resistant materials, they can greatly reduce the risk of fires.
Clay comes with some drawbacks, though. It can be costlier than other options, like asphalt or metal. Clay tiles are also heavy, which is why they aren’t often used in climates that experience heavy snow. The added weight can stress the structural framing and be an unnecessary burden. It can also be difficult to walk on a clay-tiled roof because clay tiles don’t lay flat on the roof – and there’s also a risk of cracking tiles if you step on an edge or vulnerable part.
Read also: Cedar Shingles Pricing
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles (often called shakes, although wood shakes and shingles are different things) are another time-honored roofing material with a history going back centuries or more. Though wood can be very vulnerable to water, wood that can dry quickly after getting wet fares much better long term. That’s how wood shingles are able to protect a home. Because they’re on the roof and exposed to wind and sun, they quickly dry out and remain sturdy and protective for decades.
The biggest appeal of wood shingles is the look. Wood has a rustic, cottage-esque feel that gives a house a quaint, pastoral charm. Their downside is that they aren’t as suited as other material for persistently rainy or damp regions. Also, traditional hand-made wood shingles are expensive (though manufactured ones are very reasonable).
Slate Shingles
Slate shingles (sometimes called slate tiles) are a natural and naturally strong material that can be milled or rived by hand to create a durable, resistant, and long-lasting shingle. It’s not uncommon for well-cared-for slate roofs to last more than a century.
Slate, like wood, has an old-timey feel that is difficult to approximate with any other material. While it doesn’t come in a wide variety of colors, the natural colors it does come in are a pleasing addition for homes aiming for a stately or historic look. The downside is that slate is heavy and costly. Traditional hand-rived slate requires a highly skilled tradesperson, and milled slate – though cheaper – still requires a roofer with specialist knowledge of how to install milled slate shingles.
Composite Shingles
Composite shingles (also referred to as composition roofing) are made from a synthetic material (plastic polymer being a popular choice.) Because of that, it can be manufactured into almost any type, form, or profile that a homeowner could desire. If you want a roof that looks like clay tile but doesn’t have the weight, composite can help you out. If you want a wood shake that doesn’t have the drawbacks of natural wood, composite can help you there too.
Of all the material types, composite has the fewest downsides. It’s fairly cheap to manufacture, comes in a variety of forms and styles, and has a service life longer than asphalt shingles but without a substantial difference in cost.
Read also: Rubber Shingles Cost Analysis
If you want to know more about how to put on a new roof and some of the options for roofing material, take a look at this video where Danny Lipford walks you through the process:
How To Choose the Right Type of Roof Shingles for Your Home
All shingling options protect the home equally well. Your decision regarding which is right for you comes down to budget, appearance, and how long you’d like the roof to last. The average service life of each roofing type should be factored into your equation. A slate roof may cost more up-front, for example, but it has a service life that’s twice that of an asphalt shingle roof (or more). If you’ve found your forever home, it’s worth keeping that in mind and considering the long-term expenses involved in your roof.
Another thing to keep in mind, getting a new roof every 20-30 years isn’t necessarily bad. Houses change over time. Most houses in their lifetime will go through a few different colors and trims and styles, so having the ability to change the color of the roofing material at shorter intervals gives you the flexibility to keep your roof looking in-step with the rest of the house.
To help give you a start on costing out these considerations, I’ve compiled a chart below to examine the average cost per square foot for various shingles.
| Type of Shingle | Cost per Square Foot | Average Life Span |
| Asphalt shingles | $4 – $8 | 25 – 30 years |
| Metal shingles | $6 – $14 | 25 – 30 years |
| Clay tile shingles | $9 – $14 | 50 – 100 years |
| Wood shingles | $4 – $8 | 25 – 40 years |
| Slate shingles | $10 – $20 | 50 – 100 years |
| Composite shingles | $4 – $10 | 40 – 50 years |
DIY Vs. Professional Shingle Installation
Putting on a new asphalt roof isn’t an impossible task to do yourself (with a little help from friends). Understanding the cost of asphalt roof installation is essential. Asphalt shingling is so widely practiced that numerous learning and instructional resources are available to follow. The general process of removing old shingles and laying new ones is straightforward.
Be forewarned, though, roofing is labor-intensive and carries health and safety risks. Falls, heat, and over-exertion are a constant threat while roofing. If you do decide to undertake re-roofing your house, be absolutely certain you’re knowledgeable and aware of best safety practices. Heat can and does hospitalize roofers. Falls, even from single-story roofs, can and have injured and permanently disabled workers. Safety on a roof is not something to take lightly.
Other types of roofing are better left to professionals. Materials like slate, wood, metal, and clay require specialized knowledge, as those systems differ from asphalt shingles and are not as commonly used. In the case of traditional-style slate and shake, it takes a specialty tradesperson who has apprenticed in the craft and knows all its ins-and-outs. I’ll also say the same for complex roofs and high roofs. Complexity adds difficulty and unforeseen issues, and high roofs greatly increase risk, so leaving those to professionals is the best choice.
If you’re doing a roofing project in the summer, start as early in the morning as possible. That way, you’ll be done by the hottest part of the day.
How To Maintain and Repair Roof Shingles Over Time
Shingles generally need little maintenance outside special cases (like moss-prone areas). For the most part, shingles should take care of themselves, and the rain and wind should keep them clear of most dirt and debris. A general inspection should be all that’s required. Make sure there’s no damage or persistent issues like moss or lichen. And if you suspect something might be amiss, contact a roofing professional for a consultation or inspection.
As for indirect maintenance, trim your trees. In my experience, trees are the biggest non-weather related threat to the longevity of your roof. Even small branches can damage shingles or puncture the roof deck. Regular maintenance by a tree trimming service is important to maintain the good health of trees near the house and minimize the risk of them dropping branches or otherwise damaging your roof.
So, What Are the Best Roof Shingles for You?
Once you decide on a budget, shingle choice comes down to the appearance and aesthetic you’re going for with your home. Most of them protect a roof equally well, so it’s a matter of personal style and preference. I would consider those long-term costs, though, and how certain shingle types might save you over the years.
Related: Malarkey Roofing Shingles Review
FAQs About Roofing Shingles
Is shingle the same as asphalt?
No, though shingles can be made of asphalt. A shingle is a small, formed piece of some material (asphalt, wood, etc.) that is layered with other shingles to create a water and weather proof barrier on a roof. There are numerous materials that a shingle can be made from asphalt, wood, clay, metal, slate, or polymer.
How is a shingle made?
It depends on the material the shingle is made of:
- Asphalt is made by compressing layers of tar, fiberglass, and natural granules.
- Metal shingles are stamped and pressed out.
- Clay shingles are extruded and baked.
- Wood is split by hand or cut into shape by a manufacturer.
- Slate is rived from a large stone by hand or milled from stone in a factory.
- Composite is created by manufacturers from various synthetic materials through either extruding or molding processes.
How often should shingles be replaced?
This depends on the shingle material. All roofing material comes with a manufacturer warranty and suggested service life that a homeowner should use to guide when the roof needs replaced. In general:
- Asphalt and metal have a life span of 25-30 years.
- Wood shingles last between 25-40 years.
- Clay and slate have an average service life of 50-100 years (though they can last longer depending on upkeep and environmental factors.)
- Composite shingles last 40-50 years.
