Where do I start when I need to reroof my house or do roof repair? We will help you determine what your home needs and set you up with a roofing contractor. You can also refer to our
Roofing Resources guide. Here are some of the major residential roofing types to be familiar with:
ASPHALT ROOFING SHINGLES: A type of residential asphalt roof shingle made from a fiberglass mat, then saturated with asphalt to make it waterproof. A top coating of adhesive asphalt is applied and ceramic granules are embedded for protection from the sun and to give it color. Available in standard 3-tab, and a laminated/architectural type, and has warranties from 20 years to lifetime, depending on the manufacturer. Used mostly for residential roofing on sloped roofs with a minimum pitch of 2/12. This type of roofing material is occasionally used as cladding on a commercial roof parapet wall. Fiberglass roof shingles comprise the largest segment of the market. They are considered light weight, and an ideal choice for roof replacement in most instances. See our roofing products manufacturers.
CLAY/CONCRETE TILE ROOFING: Tile roofing comes in many different shapes and sizes, and is most commonly made from clay or concrete. Tile is fired, or baked in kilns to give it strength, and in the case of clay, it gives it color. Generally, tile roofing is heavier than fiberglass roofing shingles. However, light-weight tile is available for re-roofing, roof replacement, or roof repair, where a structure could not support the weight of a standard tile. Like all types of roofing, tile is designed to protect the attic and ceiling from water damage and the elements. Since the advent of light-weight tile, tile roofing makes an ideal choice for roof replacement.
See our roofing products manufacturers.
FIRE-RETARDANT WOOD SHAKES/SHINGLES: These roofing shingles are pressure treated with fire retardant that is injected into the wood, and is locked into its fibers. This ensures that the material remains fire retardant for its lifetime. A “Class A” fire rating is attainable for the roof system. Roofing shakes are split on one side, sawn on the other, giving them a rough, textured look. Wood shingles are machine sawn on both sides, giving them a smoother, thinner appearance. Both wooden roofing shingles and shakes are typically made from red cedar, and both can be used as cladding or siding in addition to roof covering.
See our roofing products manufacturers.
REAL OR SIMULATED ROOFING SLATE/SHAKE:
Real roofing slate is hand-split, quarried, and is a natural product that will have some color variation and weathering. Real slate is quarried in the United States and other parts of the world. It is impervious to weather and is very long-lasting.
Synthetic roofing slate and shake are manufactured products that are designed to replicate the beauty of real slate and wood roofing shakes and shingles. Generally speaking, they’re lighter in weight than their real counterparts. They are available in many different colors and styles and feature warranties of up to 50 years. “Class A” fire rating systems are also available.
METAL ROOFING: Metal roofing comes in many different shapes, styles and colors. It is generally one of the lightest types of roofing material available with a “Class A” fire rating. A viable option for roof replacement, whether new construction or residential roofing. Not every roofer can install a metal roof, it requires some training, but there are companies that specialize in metal roof installation.
To see a complete list of residential roofing materials, visit our
Roofing Resources page.
