Roofers use roofing shingles that come in a wide variety of material, all with their own pros and cons.
Here’s a list of the top 5 most popular types.
1. Asphalt

By far the most popular shingle type, mainly due to its affordability, are asphalt shingles. It’s also the easiest to install, throwing up an asphalt roof is common knowledge for all roofers.
For rarer types of roofing materials, finding a knowledgeable roofer may be a bit more difficult.
Asphalt shingles are very easy to install, but they also don’t last as long as many homeowners would expect.
On average, a properly installed asphalt roof will last only about twenty years.
So if you’re buying a home that’s been previously owned, depending on the age of the house, you may need to replace the roof soon.
2. Metal

If your budget has more wiggle room, then metal shingles may be an option worth looking at.
Metal shingles will last you at least 50 years – a concept that may bring a wave of relief considering the headache involved with roof replacement.
Metal roofs that are properly insulated can provide great insulation from external temperatures all year around.
They are incredibly durable, highly damage resistant, and rarely ever leak.
Metal roofs are also very lightweight, which makes installment a much easier proposition.
3. Tile

Like metal roofing, tile roofs are extremely durable, lasting virtually as long as your home does. Metal tiles are also highly customizable, coming in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes.
The downside? There’s a couple. Tile roofing can be incredibly heavy. If you’re considering this option you may need to hire a roofing expert to assess if the structure of your home can withstand the weight.
It’s also very expensive given the customizability of the material. If you do choose tile roofing however, you’ll be happy knowing you won’t need to replace it for the entire lifetime of your home.