Are you wanting to find out how to compare roofing materials for your up and coming project? Want to understand all the details of a roof replacement?

If that’s the case this post is for you.

But before we begin, if you want to skip the research and get down to the specifics we suggest getting quotes from trustworthy roofers who have a lot of experience and have built confidence with real customers.

Now if you’re the type of person who wants to dig in and learn we're here to help guide you through the process of comparing roofing materials. We’ll be covering how to compare material cost and what to look for in roofing products.

As a homeowner, you want to know what you're investing in right? There's no doubt about it, a re-roof is a big and expensive upgrade and we commend you for doing the research. So let's get started...

There are many types of roofing materials you can compare. Just the thought of it can be overwhelming (even for some professionals). So the plan is to use the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid). The last thing we want to do is complicate things even more. In our experience, simplicity is the best approach to a complex construction project.

And as you may know, many components go into comparing roofing materials so we’ll demonstrate the most efficient way to run a comparative analysis of materials. This is important because you’ll want to stay clear of so-called “bargains” that look appealing on the surface but the craftsmanship is very poor.

Yes, you’ll pay less up front but end up dealing with major problems down the road.

Bargains are great when shopping for things like school supplies or interior decoratives but when it comes to your roofing system, you want the best materials and roofers for the job.

I’m sure you’d agree, the roof protects your most valuable asset (your home). So you’ll want peace of mind knowing you have the best materials for constructing your roofing system.

Here Are The Roofing Materials To Compare and Why They Need To Be High-Quality.

As you may know, upgrading your roof can stimulate the value of your home, give it a facelift, and safeguards against weather and fire.

And of equal importance, the roofing material is what supports the entire roofing system. It’s all the elements that comprise your roof so... we need to be sure we install top of the line building materials.

This is why you must use top of the line building materials.

But what materials are required to get the job done correctly? How do estimators create the numbers that generate a roof replacement quote?

Well Here's how that works…

Most licensed contractors are usually certified to work with specific manufactures so they won’t do a lot of shopping around. The reason for this is because they know (by experience) what materials are best for the job.

There are plenty of manufactures to choose from but we suggest sticking with well-known companies like GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning as our go-to suppliers.

Here’s a list of materials you'll need to compare for a standard re-roof job:

Of course, each roofing venture is unique and this list can change depending on what your project calls for.

How to compare roofing materials

Ok so you're aware it’s time to upgrade your roof and you want to compare materials to be certain you’re getting the best deal possible. Good for you!

The key here is to figure out what materials are going to deliver the best performance at the best price. You’ll also need to factor in labor cost for a complete estimate but that’s a discussion for another day. For now, we're just comparing roofing materials.

Keep in mind, when researching materials you’ll want to focus on longevity and durability. The cost is a big factor but when you can accept the fact that a new roof is going to be expensive you’ll be better off.

This doesn’t mean we throw up our hands and take whatever deal is presented to us. It just means we have an understanding it’s a big investment so we do our best to make the right decision.

Apart from home upgrades like floor tile, new bathrooms, and landscaping a roofing project is up there in cost. It’s not for beginners and if you decide to cheap out in certain areas there are consequences.

But let’s not that intimidate us. As long as you seek the right advice and execute you’ll be fine.

To help you focus on the essentials, we need to figure out which shingle is best for your property. From there get an average national cost based on the roof’s square footage. But be conscious of the fact that materials vary in different regions. And to start comparing materials you must start with what’s available:

Asphalt Composition Shingles. 

We install GAF Timberline Cool Color composition shingles more than any other material.

They're by far the most popular choice and we install them on at least 70% of our jobs. In our professional opinion, they're the best bang for your buck and are available at Bakersfield, CA wholesale distributors (for example ABC Supply Co.).

We recommend these shingles to customers for a few reasons:

But don’t take our word for it. Go online and see what consumers say and make a few calls to local roofers. As you research composition shingles compare their durability to other types of shingle material like...

Metal Roof Panels

There are several types of metal roofing you can use from corrugated to sheet metal. You’ll need to research each type of panel and see what fits your needs. We can assure you, metal roofing will be more expensive than composition and other types of shingles but will last a lifetime.

And as you might assume, you won't’ see many homes in Bakersfield with metal roofing. It's a bit excessive for residential homes and doesn't suit the weather conditions. But many consumers love metal roofing because of the very little maintenance required and its lightweight material.

On the other hand, metal is not for the novice roofer. So be certain your installers are well versed in working with this type of material.

And when looking into metal we suggest comparing them to composition shingles. See how they measure up and if they’re a good fit for your home.

Tile or Clay Shingles

If durability in a shingle is high on your list, clay or tile is for you. This is another pricey option but for good reason. Concrete tiles provide many pros like prolonged life-span, energy-efficiency, and great looking design. This will immediately add value to your home and make your property more attractive than the competition if you’re going to sell.

Besides this, you’ll notice a big price gap between clay and concrete for the simple reason that concrete is far more durable than clay. However, both options will be more expensive than composition asphalt so focus the research on your priorities and needs.

Slate Roofing

Natural slate is a combination of resilience and beauty. This is another costly investment compared to composition shingles but depending on your situation could be well worth it.

A major factor that turns off homeowners from slate is its high-priced materials and the amount of labor that is required to carry out a project. Experts say you should anticipate paying $6 to $18 per square foot for just materials (this is not including labor cost).

But if price isn’t on the radar and you want a high-performing roofing system with a life expectancy of 75 - 150 years then slate a great option. 

Speak with manufacturers in your area to get an idea of how much contractors buy slate for. You can also go online to see what the major home improvement retailers suggest.

Flashing, vents, valleys, paint: Now that you have an understanding of what shingles you want and how they compare, get a list of prices for all the other materials involved that support installation.

This is just an overview of what you’ll need. Again every type of roofing shingle calls for different types of materials.

Ok lets review

This is a lot of information to digest and you may be unsure of what to do next. So here's a step by step action list:

1) Figure out which shingle you’ll want to install on your property and which shingle will benefit you most.

2) Go out to consumer reports and call local contractors about material prices, longevity, and durability.

3) See which benefits of shingles are most appealing to you.

4) Compare and contrast each type of roofing material and know what it takes to install it.

5) Make an informed decision and be certain you get the best warranty possible.

The big picture

Ok so now you have an idea of how to compare roofing materials. And I know we mentioned this earlier but I think it’s worth repeating and mentioning again.

We always suggest finding a trustworthy contractor to give you a quote on materials and labor. They'll do all this work for you. It’s a lot easier to research good contractors that are familiar with materials than it is to track down the materials itself.

Superior Roofing does this daily and has a systematic way of weeding out low-quality materials. We use nothing but the best and have great relationships with suppliers who give us inside information.

However, if you are set on comparing materials we hope this article helps out.

We would love to give you a free estimate on materials and labor and permits so call our office and take advantage.