Roofing type comparison
| Asphalt Shingles |
- Low cost & low maintenance
- Very durable - asphalt or fiberglass composition
- They can be recycled
- A wide variety of types, colors and brands
- Easy to install
- Can be placed over existing roofs
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- Can be scarred when exposed to extreme weather
- Can be damaged and blown off by strong winds
- Doesn’t have the dimensional look of other types
- Shorter life span
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| Wood Shakes |
- Looks very natural
- Wide choice of distinct and unique looks
- Good attic insulator
- Allows house to "breathe"
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- Needs constant maintenance and repair
- Doesn’t have a long life span
- Not fire retardant
- Complicated to install
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| Slate-Clay |
- Looks great; clean, modern looking.
- Long life & low maintenance
- Fire retardant
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- Fragile; breaks easily and cannot be walked on
- Very heavy; needs extra roof support
- Can get faded in time
- Installation more difficult
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| Concrete Tile: |
- Very durable
- Long life & low maintenance
- Fire retardant
- Won’t rot
- Can mimic a variety of roofing materials
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- Costly compared to other roofing
- Can experiences curling, breaking and changing of color
- Heavy; needs extra roof support
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| Metal |
- Flexible, can be made to resemble other roofing materials
- Almost maintenance-free
- Fire retardant
- Energy efficient; Recyclable
- Lightweight but durable
- Can be installed over existing roofs
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- Can be quite costly to install
- More expensive than most other roofing materials
- Can be noisy when it rains or hails
- Easily damaged by flying debris and hail
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