You can re-roof with the same material you already have, or investigate the alternatives. Some are environmentally friendly; some are long lasting or low maintenance.
Before you choose, consider the life-cycle cost. Some materials are much more expensive up front but need less maintenance and last far longer. An asphalt composition roof might last just 20 years, where a metal roof can last more than 50. Weigh the current and potential value of your home, and its age, when you work out whether a material is actually "too expensive" — it might be more cost-effective in the long run.
The choices, side by side
Composition (asphalt shingles)
Any house, from contemporary to historic.
Advantages- Inexpensive
- Ranges from low-cost 3-tab to architectural shingles with extra durability and style
- Many colours, types and manufacturers
- Suitable for most residential applications
- Easy to repair
- Fire resistant
Drawbacks- Relatively short lifespan (15–30 years)
- Scars easily when hot
- Subject to mildew and moss
- Environmentally unfriendly
Wood shingles or shakes
Bungalows, ranch, contemporary, cottage, historic.
Advantages- Natural look, weathering to a soft grey
- Offers some insulation value
- Blends in with the environment
- Easy to repair or replace
- Long lasting if maintained (30–50 years)
Drawbacks- Expensive
- Usually requires professional installation
- High maintenance
- Tends to rot, split, mould and mildew
- Poor fire rating unless pressure treated
Metal (steel, aluminum, tin, copper)
Virtually all — bungalows, ranch, contemporary, cottage, historic.
Advantages- Available in different looks, including cedar shingles, slate or standing seam
- Many colours
- Light weight
- Durable, with a long lifespan (at least 50 years)
- Low maintenance
- Can be installed over existing roofs
- Excellent in high wind, hail and rain
- Environmentally friendly
Drawbacks- May be difficult to install
- Can be expensive
- May need periodic painting
Tile (concrete, clay)
Mediterranean, Italian, French Eclectic, Spanish Eclectic, Beaux Arts, Mission and Prairie. Can also suit some contemporary or ranch homes.
Advantages- Non-combustible and fireproof
- Many colours and styles
- Attractive
- Easy to maintain
- Extremely durable when maintained
Drawbacks- Expensive
- Heavy
- Used mainly in new buildings because of weight and structural requirements
- Installation and repairs can be tricky
- Fragile — walking on the roof may break tiles
Slate
Colonial, French, Italianate, Exotic Revivals, Chateauesque, Beaux Arts.
Advantages- Beautiful, distinctive appearance
- Fireproof
- Long lifespan
Drawbacks- Very expensive
- Requires specialized installation
- Heavy
- Fragile
- High maintenance
Concrete (fibre reinforced)
Virtually any style of home.
Advantages- Many colours and styles, including shakes, tile and stone
- Relatively lightweight
- Fire and insect resistant; meets many of the more restrictive fire codes
- Low maintenance
- Extremely durable
- Resource efficient
Drawbacks- Can be expensive
- Uneven quality among products
Hot-mopped asphalt with decorative stone
Flat-roofed, California-style modern.
Advantages- Inexpensive
- Easy to repair
Drawbacks- Smells
- Health risk to installers
- Fumes promote smog
Engineered rubber / plastic
Virtually any style of home.
Advantages- About one third the weight of slate
- Long lasting (30–50 years)
- Cost effective
- Attractive
- A large and growing range of styles and colours
- Made of reclaimed materials
Eco-roofs
Flat to moderately sloped roofs.
Advantages- Environmentally friendly — filters rainwater through a system of vegetation and soil
- Low maintenance, and can substantially extend the life of the roof membrane
- Insulates, evening out climate variations and keeping houses cooler in summer
- Attractive
Drawbacks- Initially expensive
- Unconventional in North America, though used for more than 30 years in Europe