Materials hub
Every roofing material, honestly compared.
Not every material is right for every home. Here’s how to choose based on your climate, budget, and how long you plan to stay.
Same-day response · No obligation.
The full comparison table
| Material | Lifespan | Wind rating | Hail | Cost | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural shingle | 18–25 yrs | 110–130 mph | Class 3 | $ | Most homes — the price-to-lifespan sweet spot. |
| Designer shingle | 25–30 yrs | 130 mph | Class 3–4 | $$ | High-visibility homes where curb appeal matters. |
| Class 4 impact-resistant | 25–30 yrs | 130 mph | Class 4 | $$ | Hail-prone areas — often earns an insurance discount. |
| Standing seam metal | 40–70 yrs | 150+ mph | Excellent | $$$ | Modern homes, hill country, and long-term owners. |
| Concrete tile | 50+ yrs | 150 mph | Very good | $$$$ | Mediterranean and Spanish-style architecture. |
| Clay tile | 75+ yrs | 150 mph | Very good | $$$$$ | Historic and luxury homes with sufficient structure. |
Manufacturers
Who we install — and why
Owens Corning
SureNail technology, TruDefinition color palette. We are Platinum Preferred — the top 1% of contractors.
GAF
North America’s largest manufacturer. Timberline HDZ and premium Grand Sequoia designer line.
Atlas
Scotchgard-protected shingles with excellent algae resistance — great for shaded homes.
Malarkey
Rubberized polymer-modified shingles with strong impact and cold-weather performance.
How to actually choose
Staying under 10 years: Standard architectural shingle. Don’t over-invest in a roof the next owner will benefit from.
Staying 10–20 years: Class 4 impact-resistant shingle. The insurance discount often pays for the upgrade over time.
Staying 20+ years or forever home: Standing seam metal. It’s the last roof you’ll ever install.
Historic or luxury home: Tile — but only after a structural review confirms your framing can carry the weight.
Material FAQs
For most homes, an architectural shingle with SBS-modified asphalt (like Owens Corning Duration Flex or GAF Grand Sequoia AS) hits the sweet spot: 25-year lifespan, Class 4 impact rating, and a reasonable price. If you plan to stay 20+ years, metal is worth the upgrade.
For lifespan, yes — 40–70 years versus 20–25 for shingles. But they cost 2–3x upfront, and improperly detailed metal roofs leak just as badly as shingles. The installer matters more than the material.
Impact resistance rating from UL 2218 testing. Class 3 survives 1.75" steel ball impacts; Class 4 survives 2" impacts. Class 4 shingles typically qualify for a homeowner’s insurance discount in Texas — sometimes 20–30%.
Yes. Concrete tile weighs 9–12 lbs per sq ft; clay 6–10. Many stick-built homes weren’t engineered for tile and need structural reinforcement before installation.
Not sure which material fits your home?
We’ll spec three options with real numbers — no upsell.