Roof Shingles
Types of Roof Shingles
There are 18 different types of roof shingles you can choose to replace or have installed on your home. Each one has different benefits, costs, materials, and style. We break down all shingled roof types below.
| Roof Shingle Types | Cost per Square Ft. | Cost per Square (100 sq.ft.) | Average Installation Costs ($3,000 sq.ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt 3 Tab | $1.75 to $3.20 | $175 to $320 | $5,550 to $9,650 |
| TPO – PVC Roofing | $1.85 to $5.70 | $185 to $570 | $5,550 to $17,100 |
| Aluminum Shingles | $2.20 to $4.05 | $220 to $405 | $6,600 to $12,150 |
| Metal Shingles | $3.10 to $29.65 | $310 to $2,965 | $42,240 to $88,950 |
| Corrugated Steel | $3.50 to $6.50 | $350 to $650 | $10,500 to $19,500 |
| Concrete Tile | $3.83 to $6.98 | $383 to $698 | $11,485 to $20,946 |
| Rubber Shingles | $4.25 to $8.25 | $425 to $825 | $12,750 to $24,750 |
| Asphalt Architectural Shingles | $4.50 to $7 | $450 to $700 | $13,500 to $21,500 |
| Asphalt Fiberglass 3D | $4.75 to $8.60 | $475 to $860 | $14,250 to $25,740 |
| Steel Shingles | $6 to $12 | $600 to $1,200 | $18,000 to $36,000 |
| Cedar Wood Shake | $6 to $9.50 | $600 to $950 | $12,380 to $22,360 |
| Slate Tiles | $6.65 to $12.13 | $665 to $1,213 | $19,950 to $36,390 |
| Clay Tiles | $8.36 to $15.25 | $836 to $1,525 | $25,075 to $45,750 |
| Standing Seam Metal | $8 to $14 | $800 to $1,400 | $24,000 to $42,000 |
| Solar Shingles | $21 to $25 | $2,100 to $2,500 | $63,000 to $75,000 |
| Copper Roofing | $13.54 to $24.69 | $1,354 to $2,469 | $40,608 to $74,064 |
These are starting costs, and your contractor may charge more for demolition and removal of your old roof. Underlayment, drip edge, fascia, and gutters may be required during your roof replacement, which will also make the costs go up.
There are a few things to take into consideration when you are thinking of replacing your home’s roof with new shingles. A new shingled roof is a big investment, so you will want to take into consideration the cost to install certain roof shingle types as well as the lifespan you can expect from each.
You will need to make sure your new roof will last for the amount of time you plan to own your home. The average life expectancy of a new asphalt shingle roof is 15 to 20 years.
Here are the most common types of roof shingles homeowners choose to have installed on their home:
3 Tab Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roof costs are the most affordable as far as installation goes. They are the most common type of roof replacements or new home roof installations that homeowners choose. There are three main types of asphalt shingles: 3-tab asphalt, fiberglass asphalt, and architectural style asphalt shingles. 3 tab asphalt shingles are the most affordable shingle to install but they are thinner, have an organic-mat paper base, and wear out more quickly than fiberglass or architectural shingles.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingle roofing is the most common roofing material:
- Easy to Install
- Budget Friendly
- Multiple Color Options
- Lasts 15 – 20 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$4,286 – $6,429
The average cost for a 3 tab asphalt shingle roof replacement costs anywhere from $4,286 to $6,429 on a single story 1,800 sq. ft home. Total replacement costs can vary depending on the slope, pitch, and size of your roof. Asphalt roofing materials alone will cost you around $0.85¢ to $1.50 per sq. foot or $85 to $150 per square of asphalt shingle roofing materials. Architectural shingles are a bit more expensive to install at around $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot.
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Architectural Shingles
Architectural shingles are more durable than asphalt shingle options in comparison to 3 tab asphalt shingles. They give off a sculpted look and have an extra laminate layer which contours them to look a bit more designed. Architectural shingles cost a bit more to install at $1.50 to $5.50 per square foot or $150 to $550 per square. They come in more luxurious looking styles that homeowners prefer and can even simulate wood shake designs. Though they are more expensive, they can last up to twice as long as 3-tab asphalt shingles. Architectural asphalt shingles can last from 30 to 50 years or more with proper maintenance. Though some homeowners choose to DIY install a new roof, we highly suggest hiring a local roof contractor to complete the job.
Architectural Shingle Roofing
Architectural roof shingles are a higher tier type of asphalt roof:
- Easy to Install
- Gorgeous Aesthetics
- Multiple Color Options
- Lasts 30 – 50 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$6,543 – $12,672
Metal Roof Shingles
Metal roof shingles are stylish in appearance and there are many different color options available to pick from. They are relatively easily to install and they are very lightweight, making them a good option for homes with a roof system that simply can’t support heavier options. They can last from 75 to 100 years and has one of the longest lifespans in comparison to other roof types. Metal roof installation costs near you may differ depending on the average price for labor in your neighborhood. On average metal roofing shingles cost $5.25 to $12.50 per square foot or $525 to $1,250 per square. Metal roofing also comes in sheet panels as well.
The 5 most common metal roofing materials include:
- Aluminum Metal Roofs
- Copper Roof Shingles
- Steel Roofing which come in galvalume, galvanized, and corten (weathering steel)
- Tin Metal Roofs
- Zinc Roofing
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are becoming very popular for the long lifespan and aesthetics:
- Modern Look
- Multiple Color Options
- Lasts 75 – 100 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$9,545 – $43,819
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Wood Shingled Roofs
Wooden roof shingles are composed from several different types of wood that are split into thin sections. There are two style options of wooden roofs called wood shake or wood shingles. The difference between the two is that wood shingles are cut into perfect shapes while wood shakes are sawn off and hand split to give it a more rustic look. Wood shingle installation costs $4.25 to $9.50 per square foot or $425 to $950 per square. Wood shingles can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years depending on the type of wood that’s used and how it is treated before being installed on the home.
Wood Shingle Roofing
Wood shingle roofing is very aesthetically pleasing and unique:
- Rustic Aesthetic
- Weather Resistant
- Lasts 15 – 50 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$8,435 – $12,653
Wood Shake Roofs
Wood shake roofing shingles are typically composed of cedar and they are created from cedar trees that are between 200 and 300 years old. To make the shingles, logs are split into sections known as shakes. This is what gives the shingles that characteristic rough look. The shingles are known for lasting longer than asphalt shingles when installed and maintained properly and they have a classy look to them, but they are more expensive and not environmentally sustainable.Wood shake is usually more expensive than wood shingles, they can cost around $6 to $10 per square foot. Wood shake can last from 30 to 40 years with regular maintenance.
Solar Shingles
Solar roofing shingles are one of the most modern types of roof shingles you can install today. They are of course more expensive compared to other roofing options but they are not there just to keep water out of your home. Solar shingles are designed to generate electricity to power your home. Solar shingle installation on average costs $21 to $25 per square foot or $2,100 to $2,500 per square. They are pleasing in appearance, but you won’t need to install them over the entirety of your home’s roof. You can decide what type of roofing you would want to install alongside your solar roof shingles. They only function optimally on the south side of a roof, and that is where they should be installed if at all possible. Eastern and western exposures are possible too, but they will not be as efficient. Solar shingles can last from 20 to 25 years.
Solar Shingle Roofing
Solar shingles are a relatively new and exciting technology in roofing
- Modern Solar Technology
- Need to be Combined with Other Roofing Types
- Reduces Energy Bills
- Solar Energy
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$60,000 – $75,000
Slate Tile Roofing Shingles
Slate roofing shingles are a stone roofing material that is installed as a shingle. Slate shingles are thin but very heavy when the whole roof is made out of them. Slate has a natural beauty to it that many people appreciate, but the shingles do not really vary in color or looks. Slate roofing shingles cost on average $6.65 to $12.13 per square foot or $665 to $1,213 per square to install. Slate tiles are more difficult to install but when done properly they will give you one of the longest-lasting roof options available. Slate shingles come with an expensive price tag, but that does not mean that slate is not a great roof type option if you can afford it. Many people decide slate roofs are worth the cost to install since they will last more than a lifetime from 60 to 150 years.
Slate Tile Roofing
Slate tiles are unique and beautiful:
- Very Durable
- Weather Resistant
- Lasts 60- 150 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$11,970 – $21,834
Rubber Roof Shingles
Rubber roof shingles are a unique product and when the rubber is formed into shingles it looks very similar to asphalt shingles that are used on many homes today. Rubber shingles are simple to install and does not require much maintenance, but it is a bit more expensive than asphalt shingles. Rubber roof shingles costs anywhere from $4.00 to $8.25 per square foot or $400 to $825 per square. However, rubber roofing can last from 15 to 25 years on your home. The shingles also can help with your energy bills and save you money on yearly utility costs. The type of rubber membrane you install will also affect costs. Rubber roofs come in the most affordable TPO, PVC , and most expensive EPDM roof.
Rubber Roofs
Rubber roof shingles can mimic other popular styles and are energy efficient
- Highly Durable
- Low Maintenance
- Lasts 15 – 25 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$9,200 – $14,850
Composite Plastic Roof Shingles
Composite plastic shingles are generally produced from recycled plastic materials. They are a way to get more life out of plastics and other materials that would simply be tossed out in most instances so they are a great environmentally friendly roof replacement option. You can expect to pay $4 to $6 per sq. foot for plastic shingles or $400 to $600 per square installed on a standard sized single story home.Composite plastic shingles can be designed to imitate stone slate tiles or even wood shakes. They are much lighter than slate or other roofing types which make them easy to install. Composite plastic shingles are relatively affordable, but they are not as long lasting as most other shingle types. Plastic roofing lasts from 7 to 20 years depending on the type of plastic you choose to install.
Plastic Roof Shingles
Composite plastic roof shingles can mimic other popular styles at a much more affordable cost
- More Affordable
- Alternative to Slate and Wood Shingles
- Low Maintenance
- Lasts 7 – 20 years
AVERAGE COSTS – 1,800 SQ. FT:
$7,200 – $10,800
Tile Roofing Shingles
Tile roofing shingles are one of the most durable roofing styles you can install, but that’s only the case when the tiles are installed properly. When placed on a mortar bed, the tiles are known to slip off after just a decade or so. Tiles are not very expensive to purchase depending on the type of tile you choose, but the installation will cost you a premium. You also may have to pay to have your roof strengthened to handle the weight of a new tile roof before it is installed. Some tile roof is in line with metal roofing as far as lifespan goes and can lasts up to 100 years with proper maintenance. There are 8 different types of roofing tiles that you will see installed, the most common are:
- Bituminous Tiles
- Ceramic Clay Tiles
- Composite Tiles
- Concrete Interlocking Tiles
- Copper Tiles
- Metal Tiles
- Polymer Sand Tiles
- Stone Slate Tiles
Average Roof Shingle Lifespan
Depending on the roof shingle type you have installed on your home and the extremities of the climate in your area you should be able to determine exactly how long your new roof replacement will last. Here is a list of all roof types and the lifespan you can expect for it to have before needing to be replaced:
| Roof Shingle Types | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Aluminum Coated | 3 to 7 years |
| Asphalt 3 Tab Shingles | 20 years |
| Asphalt Architectural Shingles | 30 years |
| Built Up Roofing (BUR) | 30 years |
| Clay Roofing Shingles | 100 years |
| Coal and Tar | 30 years |
| Copper Roofing | 70 years |
| Concrete Tile Roofing | 100 years |
| EPDM Rubber | 15 to 25 years |
| Fiber Cement | 25 years |
| Green Vegetation Roof | 5 to 40 years |
| Imitation Slate Tiles | 10 to 35 years |
| Metal Roofs | 40 to 80 years |
| Modified Bitumen | 20 years |
| Slate Stone Tiles | 60 to 150 years |
| TPO Rubber Roof | 7 to 20 years |
| Wooden Shingles | 25 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable roof shingle type?
If you are looking to replace your roof, your most affordable option would be to install asphalt roofing shingles. Asphalt shingles have a few options with different price points you can expect depending on the quality of shingles and durability you are looking for.
- Asphalt Organic Mat Shingles ($0.80 – $1.50 per square ft.)
- Architectural Shingles ( $4.50 per square ft.)
- Premium or Luxury Asphalt Shingles ( $6 – $9.50 per square ft.)
Asphalt shingles are much cheaper than luxury roof shingles such as slate or tile roofing, and cheaper than metal roof shingles. However, those high priced roof shingle types boast other benefits that asphalt shingles can’t compete with in durability, aesthetics, and overall lifespan.
Are metal roof shingles better than asphalt?
While the initial cost to install a metal roof is more expensive than asphalt shingled roofs, a metal roof can last up to 60 years compared to an asphalt roof’s lifespan being around 20 years.
If you plan to stay in your home for a long period of time, metal roofing may be a better investment for you. There are also different types of metal roof shingles that price out at different points which may give you some leeway in total installation costs.
Shingles are one of the elements that have the highest influence on roof replacement cost calculations. For that reason, we studied them carefully.
CertainTeed Shingles
Request a free quote for a complete installation, or just read our cost analysis for the price of the CertainTeed Landmark shingles, those Landmark shingles pricing considered per bundle and not by square, the comparison CertainTeed Landmark vs Landmark Pro Price, requested by readers after we published the Certainteed Landmark Pro price per square
We also studied the Certainteed Belmont shingles price, and compared it with other product lines in our Certainteed Belmont vs Grand Manor comparison.
As usual, we have our favorite analysis on the Best Certainteed shingles. There, we have changed our stance in regards to asphalt and slate shingles.There is an analysis of the Presidential Roof Shingles, and the Presidential shingles price per square.
We completed the update of our CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex reviews, with the Certainteed Northgate shingles price,
Also, we listed the Certainteed Grand Manor price per bundle, the CertainTeed Landmark Pro Weathered Wood, where we have tested weathered wood a lot as this is what I have installed for myself, and a thorough investigation in our CertainTeed Landmark shingles review.
We have also compared the Landmark Pro vs Premium as both are premium and confuse customers. But there are differences between them, and not just in weight.
User reviews were added to our own testing: Is CertainTeed Landmark a 30 year shingle? Do all the types of warranties they have cover the promised lifetime?
Owens Corning Shingles
We investigated a lot of Owens Corning shingles, starting with the stellar Presidential shingles product portfolio in our Owens Corning Presidential shingles analysis, where we have compared them with CertainTeed. We studied the Duration brand and their famous Owens Corning 50-Year shingles to see if it was just marketing or if they really offered such a durable product with a sustainable warranty.
Read also the cost analysis of the Duration shingles line, with its many product variants and prices, the Owens Corning Woodmoor shingles, along with a Woodmoor vs Woodcrest shingles comparison, the Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Shingles Review, the STORM shingles, the Duration Designer, the Driftwood shingles, their Class 3 shingles, which are covered by several types of shingles inside their product lines.
Comparison Between Brands Of Shingles
We have compared shingles brands too, mostly in terms of quality, weighing, costs per square and per bundle, and installation costs. Consider these evaluations when analyzing quotations from prospective vendors and roofers: CertainTeed vs Owens Corning shingles costs, we did a comparison Owens Corning vs CertainTeed vs GAF.
Best Materials For Shingles
We describe and compare luxury asphalt shingles.
Problems In Shingles
There is a problem with asphalt shingles: the granular loss on roof.
Roofing
We analyze a case of ceiling damage after roof replacement and a new roof leaking problem.
About insurance, will homeowners insurance cover roof repair caused by trees?
Roofing Costs
We have a comprehensive analysis of recently gathered roof replacement cost calculations with details of the roof replacement costs per square foot, including roof replacement costs with insurance.
A study of how much it costs to replace a roof of 800 square feet, 1200 square feet, 1300 square feet, 1400 square feet, 1500 square feet, 1600 square feet, 1800 square feet, 2200 square feet, 2500 square feet, 3000 square feet, and 4000 square feet.
Read and enjoy our analysis of the cost of a copper roof, its cost per square foot of copper roofing, the pros and cons of copper roofs, especially their benefits, the comparison of the cost of a copper roof vs. a metal roof, the cost of a copper roof over a bay window, and the different panels for a copper roof and copper shingles. We also debate how long a copper roof lasts, its lifespan, what a lead-coated copper roof is, the copper roof cricket cost, and the cost of a copper standing seam roof. Finally, I have analyzed what I consider the best sealant for a copper roof.
Roofing Tools
I tested several tools, and I consider that I have found the best metal shears for metal roofing.
