There are so many different types of roof shingles that you can choose for your new roof, that we’ve decided to make a selection of some of the best options that will make your home stand out. And besides just that, you wouldn’t want to have the same car in your driveway or siding on your home as your neighbor. Why settle for the same shingles?

Want the best-looking and longest-lasting types of roof shingles for your home? We’ve got you covered in your roofing plans!

Key Takeaways

  • Asphalt Variety: Asphalt remains the most popular types of roof shingles, segmented into 3-Tab (most affordable, shorter lifespan) and Architectural (higher aesthetic appeal, superior durability).
  • High-Durability Options: Metal (lasting up to 50 years) and Tile/Slate (lasting 75–150 years) are best for longevity, despite higher initial cost and structural weight concerns.
  • Rustic/Natural: Wood Shakes and Wood Shingles offer strong curb appeal but require frequent maintenance and sealing to prevent moisture damage.
  • Eco/Modern Solutions: Rubber and Composite Plastic shingles are newer, affordable, and eco-friendly options, while Solar Shingles offer dual-functionality by generating energy.
  • Key Factors: The right material depends on balancing the upfront cost, desired curb appeal, and longevity needed for your specific climate.

Asphalt Roofing: The Pros and Cons

With so many different roofing materials on the market, you might be wondering why you’re even looking at asphalt shingles in the first place.

The answer is simple: asphalt roofing is a great choice for many homeowners because it’s cost-effective, durable, and easy to install. We’d say the benefits of these types of roof shingles speak for themselves:

Pros:

  • Cost-effective – Asphalt options are one of the most affordable types of roof shingles.
  • Durable – Asphalt shingles can withstand winds up to 120 mph, making them a great choice for homeowners in hurricane-prone areas.
  • Easy installation – A professional can install most asphalt roofs in just one day.

Cons:

  • Shorter lifespan – Shingles might only last 15 – 20 years but could last as long as 40 with proper maintenance.
  • Less insulation – You won’t get the same insulating factors from shingles as you might get from other roofing materials.

Close-up of a residential gable roof covered with brown/tan, that can be dimensional or architectural types of roof shingles.

Types of Asphalt Shingles

With asphalt shingles being some of the most popular roofing products on the market, you can expect innovations and new products to be constantly hitting the market. Here are a few of the most common types of roof shingles for this roofing material.

Asphalt 3 Tab Shingles

The most common types of roof shingles are the three-tab shingles. This style has been around for decades or even centuries and is still a popular choice because it’s affordable and easy to install. However, have in mind that these shingles require periodic cleaning and tend to show organic growth sooner than thicker, more textured styles. These are your best option if you’re looking for a standard asphalt shingle roof.

These are your best option if you’re looking for a standard asphalt shingle roof.

Cost: $1 – $3 per sqft

Asphalt Architectural Shingles

A more aesthetically pleasing option, architectural shingles offer a better curb appeal and style for your home. These types of roof shingles are designed to look like slate or wood and, when installed correctly, look as if you have the real thing on your home. This enhanced aesthetic is the major distinguishing factor in the debate between 3-tab shingles vs architectural styles.

Homeowners turn to asphalt architectural shingles when they want a great-looking roof without the cost of the real thing.

Cost: $4 – $8 per sqft

Close-up of a new gray asphalt shingle roof, showing the granular texture of the surface.

Asphalt Fiberglass 3D Shingles

Of all the asphalt shingles on the market, fiberglass three-dimensional shingles are the way to go for a unique take on a classic product. These shingles are made to look exactly like slate or wood and add a 3D level of detail to your roof.

These types of roof shingles will be some of the most expensive, but in most cases, they will offer a longer lifespan because of it.

Cost: $5 – $12 per sqft

Shingles That Aren’t Asphalt

Roof shingles that aren’t asphalt? That’s right! Several roof materials take shape as shingles but aren’t made of asphalt. Copper, tin, steel, rubber, and more can all be made into shingles for your home. We’re going to break down the pros, cons, and costs.

Metal Shingles

Metal roofing is a popular choice for homeowners who want a durable and long-lasting roof. Metal roofs can come in various forms, one of which is shingles.

Metal shingles last longer than many other types of roof shingles, and they offer a unique look to your home.

Aluminum shingles are another metal roofing option that comes in shingles. These types of roof shingles are made to look like traditional asphalt shingles and can be a great choice for homeowners who want the durability of metal without the high cost. Aluminum is much cheaper than all other metal materials, but they aren’t quite as durable.

Five most common metal roofing materials:

  1. Aluminum Metal Roofs
  2. Copper Roof Shingles
  3. Steel Roofing – galvalume, galvanized, and corten (weathering steel)
  4. Tin Metal Roofs
  5. Zinc

Pros:

  • Durable – lasting as long as 50 years
  • Low Maintenance – metal roofs don’t require the same types of maintenance that other roofing materials do
  • Unique Look – a metal roof can really stand out and give your home character

Cons:

  • High Cost
  • Not As Many Styles Available

Cost: $12 – $18 per sqft

The metal tiles have a wave-like, corrugated profile that mimics traditional clay or concrete tiles.

Cedar Wood Shake

Cedar shakes are an age-old roofing material used on sloped roofs as long as people have been building them. Cedar shake roofs offer a rustic and natural look that many homeowners are drawn to.

One of the main disadvantages of cedar shakes is their weight and need to be regularly maintained by professional roofers. Wood shakes are hand-cut to fit your unique roof.

Pros:

  • Beautiful appearance
  • Long-lasting

Cons:

  • High Maintenance – needs to be treated and sealed every few years
  • Heavy – can add weight to your roof, which might require reinforcement

Cost: $6 – $12 per sqft

modern house with cedar shake types of roof shingles

Wood Shingle Roof

Wood shingles are like cedar or wood shakes, except that they aren’t hand-cut and instead are manufactured on a mass scale. As one of the most popular types of roof shingles, they are perfect for a home resembling a natural appearance, and they are cheaper than cedar shakes.

Just like wood shake roofs, wood shingle roofs need to be treated and sealed regularly to maintain their appearance and longevity.

Pros:

  • Cheaper than cedar shakes
  • Beautiful natural appearance

Cons:

  • High Maintenance – These types of roof shingles needs to be treated and sealed every few years
  • Not as durable as cedar shakes

Cost: $5 – $10 per sqft

Clay and Slate Tile Roofing Shingles

Clay tiles have been used for roofing for centuries all over the world. Clay tile roofs are known for their durability, longevity, and beauty. You might not think of them as shingles, but they’re often known as shingled roofs because they are installed as multiple small pieces. If your tile roof is reaching the end of its impressive lifespan, understand the structural expertise required for a proper tile roof replacement.

Pros:

  • Durability
  • Long-lasting – sometimes up to 100-150 years
  • Maintenance-free

Cons:

  • High cost
  • Fewer variations available
  • Weight – these materials are extremely heavy, so your roof will likely need to be reinforced

Cost: $12 – $25 per sqft

close up shot of slate types of roof shingles

Concrete Tiles

Clay and slate tiles are natural materials, but concrete tiles offer a synthetic alternative to those materials and provide a similar product at a cheaper cost. Concrete tiles are made to look like clay or slate and can be a great choice for homeowners who want the durability of slate without the high cost.

Pros:

  • Cheaper than clay or slate tiles
  • Similar durability to other tile materials
  • Weather-resistant

Cons:

  • Very heavy – standard roofs will need reinforcement before installation

Cost: $8 – $16 per sqft

close up shot of concrete roof tile

Rubber Shingles

Rubber shingles are one of the newer products on the market and are made from recycled tires and other materials. Rubber options are one of the types of roof shingles that offer the most durable and weather-resistant roofs that is also environmentally friendly.

Rubber shingles aren’t nearly long-lasting as some of the market products, but they still offer a good value for the price. Rubber roofs are known for deflecting hail, sticks, and other debris.

Pros:

  • Highly durable
  • Low maintenance
  • Eco-friendly

Cons:

  • Shorter lifespan – 15 – 25 years
  • Difficult to walk on

Cost: $4 – $8.50 per sqft

Solar Shingles

Solar shingles are a product that is still in development but shows promise as a great option for homeowners looking to go solar and have a new roof. Solar shingles are designed to look just like traditional roofing shingles and can convert sunlight into electricity.

Some of the most renowned companies producing these products include Tesla, Sun Power, and more. It’s not too far off that we could be seeing these types of roof shingles more and more commonly on homes across North America.

Pros:

  • Double duty – provides roofing and solar power
  • Attractive appearance

Cons:

  • Still in development
  • Expensive
  • Technology regularly changes

Cost: $20 – $25 per sqft

close up of solar types of roof shingles

Composite Plastic Roof Shingles TPO – PVC

Composite plastic roof shingles are another newer product made from recycled materials. These shingles offer the benefits of both metal and rubber roofs in one product. Composite shingles are weather-resistant, durable, and can be installed on many different types of roofs.

These types of roof shingles tend to break down much faster than any other material, but because they’re made from recycled materials and are eco-friendly, some homeowners don’t mind replacing them more often.

Pros:

  • Made from recycled materials
  • Eco-friendly
  • Very affordable
  • Low maintenance

Cons:

  • Low durability – usually need to be replaced every 15 years
  • Lifespan ranges from 7 – 20 years depending on weather conditions

Cost: $4 – $6 per sqft

PVC coated roof shingles against blue sky background

Roofing in North Carolina: Climate Considerations

Roofing in North Carolina presents unique challenges due to our mix of coastal storms, heavy rainfall, heat, and humidity. Here’s what homeowners across the state — especially in Raleigh, the Triangle, and coastal areas — should consider before selecting roof shingles:

North Carolina Climate Factors and Roofing Impacts

  • Hurricanes & High Winds:
    NC roofs often face tropical storms and hurricanes, especially near the coast. Opt for shingles rated for wind resistance of at least 130 mph — architectural asphalt and metal shingles perform best here.

  • Heavy Rainfall:
    With 45–55 inches of annual rainfall across most of NC, proper water shedding is critical. Look for shingles with tight overlapping designs and ensure correct flashing and underlayment installation to avoid leaks.

  • Algae and Moss Growth:
    The warm, humid climate promotes dark algae streaks on shingles — especially in shaded areas. Consider algae-resistant shingles such as those with copper granules or GAF’s StainGuard protection.

  • High UV and Heat Exposure:
    Summer temperatures often climb above 90°F, and roof surfaces can get even hotter. Lighter-colored shingles or reflective options can reduce attic heat and cooling costs.

  • Local Building Codes and HOA Rules:
    Cities like Raleigh, Cary, and Wilmington may have specific code requirements for underlayment, wind uplift ratings, or permitted materials. Historic districts and HOAs may restrict tile or metal roofing.

Choosing the Right Shingles for Your Roof

It’s not easy to find the right types of roof shingles, and sometimes you’ll have more than one “right choice”. Finding and hiring a reliable contractor you can trust to help you create a plan for your home and roof is critical.

Our commitment covers the full lifecycle of your roof: we provide guidance on new installations and routine preventative maintenance, and we also specialize in essential repairs. Whether your roof needs a full system replacement or just a quick fix for missing shingles, our comprehensive roofing services ensure your property is protected from top to bottom.

At K&D Roofing, we can help you create a customized solution based on any of the types of roof shingles that we have available that prioritizes your budget, the curb appeal you want, and how to keep your home protected for decades to come.

Reach out to us today!

FAQS

What type of shingle is most common?

Asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material in the U.S. — especially in North Carolina. Among them, architectural asphalt shingles are now more popular than traditional 3-tab due to their improved durability and curb appeal.

What’s better: 3-tab or architectural shingles?

Architectural shingles are generally considered superior. They last longer (typically 25–30 years vs. 15–20 years for 3-tab), resist wind and impact better, and offer a more dimensional, high-end look. While 3-tab shingles cost less up front, architectural shingles tend to offer better long-term value.

What’s the difference between Class 3 and Class 4 shingles?

These are impact resistance ratings. Class 3 shingles can withstand steel balls dropped from 1.75 inches, while Class 4 — the highest rating — can handle a 2-inch drop. Class 4 shingles offer the best protection against hail and flying debris and may qualify for insurance discounts in storm-prone areas.

What are the longest-lasting shingles for a roof?

Metal, slate, and clay tile shingles offer the longest lifespans — often 50 years or more. Among asphalt options, premium architectural or composite shingles can last 30–40 years with proper installation and maintenance.