The Best Roofing Material for Your Home and Budget

You’re getting your roof redone. Now you can sit back, relax, and let the roofers care for the rest. 

Or can you?

A roof replacement is a decision-making process from beginning to end. One of the most significant decisions you’ll have to make is what you want the top layer of your roof to be made out of, and a roofer will help you through all of that.

Types of Roofing Materials

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common materials. More than 80% of home roofing projects in the United States utilize them.

These shingles are made out of a fiberglass or organic base mat with asphalt and granules over the top.

Benefits

Asphalt shingles are widely available because they’re so common. 

These shingles are relatively affordable, too, coming in at around $4.25-$8.25 per square foot.

They come in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Asphalt shingles are easy to install and maintain—so easy that a DIYer might think it’s an easy project. However, you must leave this project to the professionals so you aren’t left with a faulty roof further down the road. 

When individual asphalt shingles deteriorate, they’re relatively inexpensive for a roofer to replace independently.

Disadvantages

However, these shingles have a limited lifespan compared to other materials. Asphalt shingle installments generally last about 15 to 30 years before they need a major replacement.

Asphalt shingles are also more vulnerable to weather conditions like high winds and hail as they’re attached to your roof individually.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are the more durable alternative to asphalt shingles. They usually have a lifespan of 40 to 70 years.

Benefits

Metal roofs have exceptional durability and longevity—more than twice the maximum of asphalt shingles at the minimum!

Metal roofing is resistant to extreme weather conditions because it’s installed in fewer pieces than asphalt shingles.

When it rains, some people consider the noise these roofs make pleasant.

Metal roofs are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. They can come from recycled material and are recyclable. These roofs also reflect the sun’s rays away from your roof, thus reducing the heat of your roof and energy bill.

Metal roofing comes in a wide range of styles and colors. It can be made of aluminum, copper, or steel in shingles, panels, or rolled sheets.

Disadvantages

Metal roofs cost more upfront than asphalt shingles, ranging from $5 to $16 per square foot.

Furthermore, these roofs can be noisy during heavy rainfall without proper insulation.

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles have become an emerging trend in residential roofing, combining energy production with roofing functionality.

Benefits

These shingles generate clean and renewable energy—no other roofing material can do that!

Solar shingles have the potential for cost savings through reduced electricity bills. You could save an average of $1,500 each year on energy bills. With solar shingle battery storage, energy can also be stored within your home to reduce your utility bills.

They’re environmentally friendly and sustainable. Solar shingles‘ energy doesn’t cause air pollution or greenhouse gasses.

As of 2023, these roofing systems can qualify for government incentives and tax credits—in Pennsylvania, you may be able to claim up to 60% of their cost in tax credits!

Disadvantages

Solar shingles have a higher initial investment—on average, they cost around $16,000 for the product.

The installation is complex and has specific requirements. These roofs have an electrical component, which none of the other materials have. 

Of course, being hooked up to the grid has its own rules.

Solar shingle efficiency depends on climate and sun exposure. Sunny areas will see a better return on investment than cloudy ones.

Choose What’s Best for You

Find roofing materials within your price range, style, durability, or energy efficiency. There’s no wrong way to choose the materials that will be going on your roof. It’s all up to you. 

At GP Martini Roofing, we make this decision-making process easier for you. We specialize in all the products mentioned above, and we’ll help guide you to what’s best for your home, style, and budget. Decide all you want, and we’ll do the work for you. Contact us today for a free estimate.