Roofing materials
Each roofing material trades off weight, lifespan, upkeep and price, and the parts you never see, such as underlayment, flashing and ventilation, decide how well any of them performs. These articles explain the options in plain language, with lifespans and ratings taken from the makers and trade bodies that publish them.
- Types of Roofing Materials: Asphalt, Metal, Tile, Slate, Wood and Flat
How the main roofing materials compare on cost, lifespan, weight, fire rating, climate fit and upkeep, from asphalt shingles and metal to tile, slate and flat membranes.
- Architectural vs. 3-Tab Shingles: Build, Wind Ratings and Cost
3-tab shingles are flat single-layer strips; architectural (laminated) shingles bond layers for a thicker, textured look. Wind labels, warranties and the price gap.
- Metal Roof vs. Shingles: Cost, Lifespan, Noise and Weight
Metal roofs cost two to three times as much as asphalt shingles, as sources report it. Side by side on cost, lifespan, noise, weight and repairs.
- Roof Flashing Explained: Where It Goes and Why It Fails
Flashing is the metal that turns water away where a roof meets a wall, chimney, vent or edge. The main types, common failure points, and when to repair or replace it.
- Roof Underlayment Explained: Felt, Synthetic and Ice-and-Water Shield
Underlayment is the layer between the roof deck and the shingles. Felt, synthetic and self-adhering types, the standards behind them, and where the code calls for each.
- Roof Ventilation Explained: Intake, Exhaust and the 1/150 Rule
How attic ventilation works, why intake and exhaust must balance, ridge vs. box vents, what poor ventilation does to a roof, and what the building code asks for.
Other topics
RooferProMatch is a lead-generation service, not a roofer, contractor or manufacturer. The articles are general information, not legal or financial advice. We are not affiliated with the manufacturers named.