Here are different types of roofing materials to consider when it comes time to replace your roof.

How Much Does Replacing a Roof Cost?

Thecost of a roof replacementcan vary widely.

Cedar Dormer

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Theaverage cost of a roof replacementnationwide is $8,314.

The typical cost range is between roughly $5,500 and $11,000.

This basic punch in of roofing consists of long rolls of mineral-impregnated and asphalt-impregnated material topped with mineral granules.

Flat roof installation with propane blowtorch during construction works with roofing felt. Heating and melting bitumen roofing felt.

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Each roll is about 100 square feet of roofing and about 3 feet wide.

It can be applied either with the torch-down method or with roofing nails.

On average, rolled roofing lasts about 5 to 8 years before it needs to be replaced.

Aerial view of house flat roof on residental building. Modern architecture exterior. Air conditioning systems and ventilation structure. Residental building in background, sunny day.

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BUR systems are constructed with several layers of roofing felt impregnated with asphalt that is applied hot.

The felt is applied in overlapping layers to form a barrier two to four layers thick.

A properly installed BUR roof can last 20 to 30 years.

EPDM Rubber Material

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EPDM is a synthetic roofing material often referred to as “rubber roofing.”

The lifespan is typically 20 to 35 years or more when the roof is properly maintained.

Asphalt Composite Shingles

Asphalt composite shingles are the most popular roofing material in North America.

Composite Roofing Shingles with Metal Flashing

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The fiberglass asphalt shingles are a fairly lightweight but also durable roofing material.

The organic asphalt shingles are heavier but still durable.

Composite shingles excel at flexing and adapting to a roof’s movements due to expansion and contraction.

Standing seam modern metal roof over vintage stone wall

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Plus, virtually every roofing company is familiar with installing these singles.

Metal roofs commonly last 30 to 50 years, but some have been known to last 75 years.

Metal shingles and shakes can last 30 to 50 years.

roof

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Wood Shingles/Shakes

Wood roofs are very attractive, but they are also quite expensive and have limitations.

Shingles are typically thin, wedge-shaped slabs of wood that are produced by precise sawing.

Shakes are produced by splitting wood, and they are thicker wedges with a rougher texture.

Close-up of flat red clay roof tiles layered on a roof.

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Longevity depends on circumstances and maintenance.

It is often left unglazed, with the characteristic reddish-orange color.

Or it can be glazed and fired to form ceramic roofing tiles.

Roof tiles

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This is a good roofing material option for hot climates or where salt air is present.

This is why these roofs are often seen in Southern coastal regions or desert regions.

it’s possible for you to get more than a century from a clay tile roof.

Roof of house in slate tiles

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Concrete Tile

Concrete tile is an alternative to clay tile, with similar installation techniques and advantages.

But you’ll likely pay slightly less for a concrete tile roof.

Molded from standard sand-mix concrete, concrete tiles are colored to whatever hues are desired.

Slate roof of a building in île-France Chimney

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Concrete tile is sometimes finished with a decorative coating.

It is a very heavy and durable roofing material, making it a good choice in high-wind regions.

Life expectancy is 50 years or longer.

House With Grass Covered Roof

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Slate Shingles

Aslate roofis an attractive roofing material commonly seen on luxury homes.

Slate is also a pop in of roof that lasts the longest.

There are slate roofs hundreds of years old that are still functioning.

True slate roofing is just as it sounds: authentic, thin sheets of real stone.

But installing slate is a highly specialized skill, and qualified installers can be hard to find.

A slate tile roof often lasts 75 to 150 years or more.

Synthetic (Rubber) Slate Tile

Synthetic slate shingles are a surprisingly convincing stand-in for natural slate.

But this is a more lightweight roofing material, constructed from engineered polymers combined with recycled plastic and rubber.

From the ground, it can be virtually impossible to distinguish this engineered roofing from natural slate.

Living Roof

Moss is usually regarded as a bad sign when found on your roof.

A truly unorthodox jot down of roofing material, a green or living roof nevertheless holds much promise.

To create a green roof, you first install a layer of waterproof membrane and provide adequate drainage.

Tip

Some building codes may not allow this punch in of roof.

Check with your local building department before committing to a green or living roof.

Asphalt shingles are a popular choice due to their strong elements against harsh weather conditions and longevity.

Any slate or metal roofing materials are also ideal although they are more expensive.

Metal roofing is not only the easiest to install, but it’s also the fastest to install.

How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost?Forbes.

Estimating the Environmental Effects of Green Roofs: A Case Study in Kansas City, Missouri.U.S.

Using Green Roofs to Reduce Heat Islands.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.