The Different Types of Roofing Materials and How Much They Cost to Install and Maintain

When it comes to roof installation in Columbus, Ohio, there are many different types of roofing materials to choose from, including asphalt shingles and clay or concrete tiles. While the easy choice may be to go with the same type of material that you had previously, it can be a good idea to take into account the other types of roofing material available.

Depending on your home and what you would like to get out of your roofing material, there may be a more appealing option. That appeal may be found in the cost, the durability of the material, or the additional benefits that a certain material may bring to your home.

Choosing the right roofing material for your roof installation in Columbus, Ohio is important. Your roof keeps your home safe from external weather conditions and can impact the look and feel of your home. Below, we take a closer look at how to choose the best roofing material for your home.

How to Choose the Best Roofing Material for Your Home

As an experienced team of roofing replacement contractors in Columbus, Ohio, we have a great understanding of the different types of roofing materials available. Here are five types of roofing materials that you can pick to use for your roof installation or replacement.

Note: All cost averages have been pulled from Architectural Digest (as of October 17, 2023) and are meant to reflect a general idea of cost. These may not reflect J.F. Baker’s Sons Roofing Company roofing material costs. Please schedule a free estimate with our team to learn more about the cost of roofing materials with our Columbus roofing company.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common and affordable roofing materials out there. According to data collected by the Home Innovation Research Labs, about 80% of homes in the United States had asphalt shingle roofs as of 2018. They are used commonly in both new home builds and roofing replacements.

Asphalt shingle roofs will also typically last about 20 years if they are properly installed and maintained. Maintenance may include replacing damaged shingles.

Pros:

Easy to install
Customizable
Affordable
Available in a wide range of colors, styles, and materials

Cons:

Can be at risk of storm damage, particularly by high winds
Not as energy efficient as other roofing materials
Often considered to be less durable than other options

Average cost per square foot: $4.25 to $8.25

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is another popular roofing material. It typically is available either in shingle form or in panels and can be used for a wide range of building types and sizes. Metal roofs are particularly popular in areas that see heavy snowfall and for home and business owners who are interested in a more sustainable roofing option.

Metal roofing tends to have a longer lifespan than asphalt roofing, seeing a common lifetime of more than 30 years. And once a metal roof has worn out completely, it is recyclable. Regular maintenance of a metal roof will help to extend its life, including regularly cleaning out gutters and drains and cleaning mildew, branches, and other debris from the roof.

Pros:

Highly durable
Easy to install
Has a long life expectancy
Aesthetically pleasing and can suit a number of housing styles
Easy to maintain

Cons:

Can be costly
May not be easy to install on certain roof styles
Higher risk of rusting in coastal areas
Potential to be noisy, especially during storms

Average cost per square foot (of corrugated metal): $5.50 to $11.50

Fiberglass-Based Asphalt Shingles

As noted above, asphalt shingles are available in several different variations. Fiberglass-based asphalt shingles are one of those variations. They are made out of a woven fiberglass base mat that is then covered with a waterproof asphalt coating. Their construction helps to protect the shingles from UV rays, giving your home and roof an additional layer of protection.

Less asphalt is used in fiberglass-based asphalt shingles, making them a lighter material option for roof installation in Columbus, Ohio. Maintenance for these types of shingles do not require any specific type of care, so general roof maintenance should suffice.

Pros:

Affordable, particularly for sloped roofing projects
Easy to install
Fire resistant
Low maintenance needs
More environmentally friendly than asphalt shingles

Cons:

Less environmentally friendly than other roofing materials
Can be considered less durable than other roofing materials

Average cost per square foot (for basic three-tab shingles): $3.00 to $4.50

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Clay titles are typically made out of clays that are molded into various shapes that can interlock together. These tiles will usually come in a red-orange color, or they can be glazed for particular colors or designs. Clay tiles for roofing are a very popular choice in hot areas. They are extremely heat resistant and can have life expectancies of more than a century if maintained properly. Keep in mind that clay tiles can run more expensive than other roofing materials.

Concrete tiles are a popular alternative to clay tiles. They are installed in a similar manner to clay tiles but tend to run a little less expensive. They are a water-resistant roofing material and are known for offering roofs a long lifespan with tons of durability. Concrete tiles also offer lots of customization but can be a heavy type of roofing material to have installed.

Pros:

Highly durable
Very versatile and customizable
Long lifespan
Low maintenance
Fire-resistant (clay) and water-resistant (concrete)

Cons:

Expensive
A weighty roofing material
Can be difficult to install

Average cost per square foot: $12.00 to $24.75

Wood Shakes or Shingles

Wood shakes or shingles are a less common roofing choice than something like asphalt shingles, but they have plenty to offer. They bring a natural aesthetic to any home or building no matter the type of wood they are made out of (cedar is the most common type of wood shake or shingle), and they bring tons of curb appeal.

Wood roofing will have a shorter lifespan in areas with wet climates or areas that are at risk of wildfires. But in drier climates, wood roofs can last up to 50 years.

Pros:

Environmentally friendly
Curb appeal
Variation in look, depending on if you choose shakes or shingles

Cons:

Can be expensive
High maintenance
Vulnerable to issues like mildew, pests, and mold

Average cost per square foot (for cedar shingles or shakes): $8.00 to $14.30

Connect with a Trusted Columbus Roofing Company

Have you been looking for roofing replacement contractors in Columbus, Ohio? Reach out to our team today. With over 90 years of experience, we can help answer any questions you may have about the best roofing material for your roofing needs.