Which Roof Shingle is Best For You?

Types of Roof Shingles

Average Cost by Roof Shingles

The average cost to shingle a roof can range from $5,000 to $24,000 with the national average being $12,000 for a 3,000 square feet home. This cost depends heavily on the roof shingle material, roof size, and complexity of roof installation. Read about roof shingle costs and factors affecting the cost here.

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Average Lifespan by Roof Shingle Type

Depending on the roof shingle type you have installed on your home and the extremities of the climate in your area, you should be able to determine how long your new roof replacement will last. Here is a list of all roof shingle types and the lifespan you can expect for it to have before needing to be replaced:

Breakdown of the Popular Types of Roof Shingles

These are the most common types of roof shingles you will find across the U.S., regardless of regional climate or home type.

3-Tab Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingle roof costs are the most affordable as far as installation goes. They are the most common type of roof replacements or new home roof installations that homeowners choose.

There are three main types of asphalt shingles:

• 3-tab asphalt.
• Fiberglass asphalt.
• Architectural asphalt shingles

3-tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable shingle to install but they are thinner, have an organic-mat paper base, and wear out more quickly than fiberglass or architectural shingles.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Asphalt shingle roofing is the most common roofing material:

• Easy to Install

• Budget Friendly

• Multiple Color Options

• Lasts 15 - 20 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$4,286 - $6,429

Architectural Shingles

Architectural shingles are more durable than asphalt shingle options in comparison to 3-tab asphalt shingles. They give off a sculpted look and have an extra laminate layer which contours them to look a bit more designed.

Architectural shingles cost a bit more to install at $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot or $150 to $550 per square. They come in more luxurious looking styles that homeowners prefer and can even simulate wood shake designs. Though they are more expensive, they can last up to twice as long as 3-tab asphalt shingles.

Architectural asphalt shingles can last from 30 to 50 years or more with proper maintenance.

Architectural Shingle Roofing

Architectural roof shingles are a higher tier type of asphalt roof:

• Easy to Install

• Gorgeous Aesthetics

• Multiple Color Options

• Lasts 30 - 50 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$6,543 - $12,672

Metal Roof Shingles

Metal roof shingles are stylish in appearance and there are many different color options available to pick from. They are relatively easily to install and they are very lightweight, making them a good option for homes with a roof system that simply can’t support heavier options.

They can last from 75 to 100 years and has one of the longest lifespans in comparison to other roof types. Metal roof installation costs near you may differ depending on the average price for labor in your neighborhood.

The five most common metal roofing materials include:

1. Aluminum Metal Roofs
2. Copper Roof Shingles
3. Steel Roofing
4. Tin Metal Roofs
5. Zinc Roofing

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are becoming very popular for the long lifespan and aesthetics:

• Modern Look

• Multiple Color Options

• Lasts 75 - 100 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$9,545 - $43,819

Slate Tile Roofing Shingles

Slate roofing shingles are a stone roofing material that is installed as a shingle. Slate shingles are thin but very heavy when the whole roof is made out of them. Slate has a natural beauty to it that many people appreciate, but the shingles do not really vary in color or looks.

Slate tiles are more difficult to install but when done properly they will give you one of the longest-lasting roof options available. Slate shingles come with an expensive price tag, but that does not mean that slate is not a great roof type option if you can afford it. Many people decide slate roofs are worth the cost to install since they will last more than a lifetime from 60 to 150 years. 

Slate Tile Roofing

Slate tiles are unique and beautiful:

• Very Durable

• Weather Resistant

• Lasts 60- 150 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$11,970 - $21,834

Rubber Roof Shingles

Rubber roof shingles are a unique product and when the rubber is formed into shingles it looks very similar to asphalt shingles that are used on many homes today. Rubber shingles are simple to install and does not require much maintenance, but it is a bit more expensive than asphalt shingles.

Rubber roofing can last from 15 to 25 years on your home. The shingles also can help with your energy bills and save you money on yearly utility costs. The type of rubber membrane you install will also affect costs. Rubber roofs come in the most affordable TPO, PVC , and most expensive EPDM roof.

Rubber Roofs

Rubber roof shingles can mimic other popular styles and are energy efficient

• Highly Durable

• Low Maintenance

• Lasts 15 - 25 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$9,200 - $14,850

Composite Plastic Roof Shingles

Composite plastic shingles are generally produced from recycled plastic materials. They are a way to get more life out of plastics and other materials that would simply be tossed out in most instances so they are a great environmentally friendly roof replacement option.

Composite plastic shingles can be designed to imitate stone slate tiles or even wood shakes. They are much lighter than slate or other roofing types which make them easy to install. Composite plastic shingles are relatively affordable, but they are not as long lasting as most other shingle types. Plastic roofing lasts from 7 to 20 years depending on the type of plastic you choose to install.

Plastic Roof Shingles

Composite plastic roof shingles can mimic other popular styles at a much more affordable cost

• More Affordable

• Alternative to Slate and Wood Shingles

• Low Maintenance

• Lasts 7 - 20 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$7,200 - $10,800

Tile Roofing Shingles

Tile roofing shingles are one of the most durable roofing styles you can install, but that’s only the case when the tiles are installed properly. When placed on a mortar bed, the tiles are known to slip off after just a decade or so.

Tiles are not very expensive to purchase depending on the type of tile you choose, but the installation will cost you a premium. You also may have to pay to have your roof strengthened to handle the weight of a new tile roof before it is installed.

Some tile roof is in line with metal roofing as far as lifespan goes and can lasts up to 100 years with proper maintenance. There are 8 different types of roofing tiles that you will see installed, the most common are:

1. Bituminous Tiles
2. Ceramic Clay Tiles
3. Composite Tiles
4. Concrete Interlocking Tiles
5. Copper Tiles
6. Metal Tiles
7. Polymer Sand Tiles
8. Stone Slate Tiles

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Specialty Roof Shingle Types

These shingle types are either popular for certain types of homes or regions (like historic homes) or are gaining in popularity.

Solar Shingles

Solar roofing shingles are one of the most modern types of roof shingles you can install today. They are of course more expensive compared to other roofing options but they are not there just to keep water out of your home. Solar shingles are designed to generate electricity to power your home. Solar shingle installation on average costs $21 to $25 per square foot or $2,100 to $2,500 per square. They are pleasing in appearance, but you won’t need to install them over the entirety of your home’s roof. You can decide what type of roofing you would want to install alongside your solar roof shingles. They only function optimally on the south side of a roof, and that is where they should be installed if at all possible. Eastern and western exposures are possible too, but they will not be as efficient. Solar shingles can last from 20 to 25 years.

Solar Shingle Roofing

Solar shingles are a relatively new and exciting technology in roofing

• Modern Solar Technology

• Need to be Combined with Other Roofing Types

• Reduces Energy Bills

• Solar Energy

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$60,000 - $75,000

Wood Shingled Roofs

Wooden roof shingles are composed from several different types of wood that are split into thin sections. There are two style options of wooden roofs called wood shake or wood shingles. The difference between the two is that wood shingles are cut into perfect shapes while wood shakes are sawn off and hand split to give it a more rustic look. Wood shingles can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years depending on the type of wood that’s used and how it is treated before being installed on the home.

Wood Shingle Roofing

Wood shingle roofing is very aesthetically pleasing and unique:

• Rustic Aesthetic

• Weather Resistant

• Lasts 15 - 50 years

Average Costs - 1,800 sq. ft:

$8,435 - $12,653

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Wood Shake Roofs

Wood shake roofing shingles are typically composed of cedar and they are created from cedar trees that are between 200 and 300 years old. To make the shingles, logs are split into sections known as shakes. This is what gives the shingles that characteristic rough look. The shingles are known for lasting longer than asphalt shingles when installed and maintained properly and they have a classy look to them, but they are more expensive and not environmentally sustainable. Wood shake can last from 30 to 40 years with regular maintenance.

The Bottom Line on Types of Roof Shingles

Chances are your home will need one of the common shingle types, like asphalt, tile, or metal. However, your final choice will depend on your budget and the weather your home sees most often. You can take the short quiz at the top of this page to see your top shingle matches.