Roofing Materials Guide
Explore our comprehensive guide to roofing materials for residential and commercial buildings. Learn about the properties, applications, advantages, and limitations of different roofing options to make informed decisions for your construction or renovation project.
Weather Protection
The primary function of any roofing system is to protect the building and its contents from weather elements. Different materials offer varying levels of resistance to rain, snow, wind, hail, UV radiation, and temperature extremes.
Energy Efficiency
Roofing materials significantly impact a building's thermal performance. Factors like solar reflectance, thermal emittance, insulation compatibility, and ventilation options affect energy consumption and indoor comfort.
Lifespan & Value
Roofing material selection involves balancing initial costs against expected service life and maintenance requirements. Premium materials typically offer longer lifespans and better long-term value despite higher upfront costs.
Roofing Material Types
Asphalt Shingles
The most widely used residential roofing material in North America, consisting of a fiberglass or organic mat base coated with asphalt and mineral granules, offering an effective balance of performance, aesthetics, and affordability.
Metal Roofing
A diverse family of roofing systems made from steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc that offer exceptional durability, longevity, and performance for both residential and commercial applications.
Standing Seam Metal
A premium metal roofing system featuring raised seams and concealed fasteners, providing superior weather resistance, clean aesthetic lines, and exceptional longevity for both residential and commercial applications.
Corrugated Metal
A versatile, economical metal roofing profile featuring alternating ridges and valleys that provide structural strength, efficient water shedding, and a distinctive industrial aesthetic for a wide range of applications.
Metal Tile
Formed metal panels designed to replicate the appearance of traditional clay, concrete, or slate tiles while offering the performance advantages of metal roofing, combining aesthetic appeal with lightweight durability.
Aluminum Shingles
Lightweight, corrosion-resistant metal shingles that combine the aesthetic appeal of traditional roofing materials with the durability and performance advantages of aluminum, ideal for coastal and high-precipitation environments.
Copper Roofing
A premium, distinctive roofing material known for its natural patina development, exceptional longevity, and timeless aesthetic appeal, used for high-end residential, historic, and institutional buildings.
Zinc Roofing
A distinctive, self-healing metal roofing material that develops a protective patina over time, offering exceptional longevity, minimal maintenance, and unique aesthetic qualities for premium architectural applications.
Clay Tile
Fired clay or terracotta tiles that have been used for centuries, known for exceptional durability and distinctive aesthetics that define Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, and other architectural styles.
Terracotta Roofing
Traditional clay roofing material with distinctive warm earth tones and exceptional durability, defining Mediterranean, Spanish, and Southwestern architectural styles while offering excellent thermal properties.
Concrete Tile
Manufactured tiles made from Portland cement, sand, and water, offering the aesthetic appeal of clay tile with greater affordability and consistent performance characteristics.
Slate
Thin sheets of natural metamorphic stone split from quarried rock, renowned for its exceptional durability, distinctive appearance, and centuries-long lifespan.
Synthetic Slate Tile
Engineered roofing products that replicate the appearance of natural slate while offering reduced weight, improved impact resistance, and lower cost, making the slate aesthetic more accessible.
Rubber Slate
Recycled rubber and plastic composite roofing that mimics the appearance of natural slate while offering enhanced durability, reduced weight, and improved sustainability through recycled content.
Wood Shakes & Shingles
Traditional roofing material made from split or sawn cedar, redwood, or other decay-resistant woods, providing natural beauty and character that weathers to a distinctive silver-gray patina.
Composite Shingles
Engineered roofing products made from a combination of materials including recycled plastic, rubber, and wood fibers, designed to replicate the appearance of wood or slate while offering enhanced durability and reduced maintenance.
TPO Membrane
A single-ply thermoplastic roofing membrane widely used for commercial and flat roof applications, offering excellent weather resistance, energy efficiency, and installation flexibility.
PVC Membrane
A durable single-ply thermoplastic roofing membrane with heat-welded seams, offering excellent chemical resistance, long-term performance, and energy efficiency for commercial and industrial flat roof applications.
EPDM Membrane
A synthetic rubber roofing membrane known for exceptional weathering characteristics, flexibility in cold temperatures, and long-term durability for flat and low-slope applications.
Modified Bitumen
An evolution of traditional built-up roofing using asphalt modified with polymers for enhanced flexibility, strength, and performance in various temperature conditions for low-slope commercial applications.
Built-Up Roofing
A traditional low-slope roofing system consisting of alternating layers of bitumen (asphalt or coal tar) and reinforcing fabrics, creating a finished membrane that provides excellent waterproofing and durability.
Liquid Applied Membrane
Fluid-applied roofing systems that cure to form a seamless, fully-adhered membrane, providing excellent waterproofing for complex roof geometries, details, and restoration of existing roof systems.
Fiberglass Panels
Translucent or transparent corrugated panels made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, providing natural light transmission while offering weather protection for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential applications.
Polycarbonate Roofing
High-impact resistant, transparent or translucent thermoplastic panels available in various profiles, providing exceptional durability, light transmission, and UV protection for specialty roofing applications.
Green Roof Systems
Vegetated roof assemblies that support plant growth on rooftops, providing environmental benefits including stormwater management, urban heat island reduction, and enhanced biodiversity while extending roof service life.
Vegetative Roofing
Engineered systems that support plant growth on building rooftops, combining waterproofing, drainage, growing media, and vegetation to create functioning ecosystems that provide stormwater management and thermal benefits.
Solar Roof Systems
Integrated roofing solutions that combine weather protection with solar energy generation, ranging from conventional roofing with rack-mounted panels to fully integrated building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems.
Photovoltaic Shingles
Building-integrated photovoltaic products that combine the functionality of conventional roofing materials with electricity generation capabilities, creating a seamless aesthetic while generating renewable energy.
Cool Roofing
Roofing materials and assemblies specifically designed to reduce solar heat absorption through enhanced solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties, minimizing heat transfer and urban heat island effects.
Structural Insulated Panels
High-performance building components that combine structural capability with continuous insulation in a single prefabricated assembly, creating energy-efficient, airtight roof systems with excellent thermal performance.
Roofing Selection Factors
Performance Considerations
- Climate and weather exposure conditions
- Roof slope and drainage requirements
- Expected service life and warranty terms
- Fire resistance requirements and ratings
- Wind uplift resistance needs
- Impact resistance (hail and debris)
- Energy efficiency and code compliance
- Noise transmission (rain, hail, exterior sounds)
Practical Considerations
- Initial cost vs. lifecycle cost analysis
- Structural capacity of the building
- Architectural style and aesthetic requirements
- Local building code and zoning requirements
- Availability of qualified installers
- Maintenance requirements and accessibility
- Sustainability goals and environmental impact
- Compatibility with solar or other rooftop equipment
Roofing System Components
A complete roofing system involves more than just the visible surface material. Key components include:
- Roof Deck: The structural surface to which the roofing system is applied, typically wood sheathing, metal decking, or concrete.
- Underlayment: A water-resistant or waterproof layer installed between the roof deck and roofing material to provide secondary weather protection.
- Insulation: Materials that reduce heat transfer through the roof assembly, improving energy efficiency and interior comfort.
- Flashing: Metal or membrane materials used to seal and protect joints, transitions, and penetrations in the roof system.
- Ventilation: Components that allow air movement through the roof assembly, reducing moisture buildup and extending system lifespan.
- Drainage: Elements including gutters, downspouts, scuppers, and internal drains that collect and direct water off and away from the roof.
The performance and longevity of any roofing system depend on the proper selection, installation, and integration of all these components, not just the surface material.