A Quick Guide to Roofing

If you weren’t aware, Stonewall Homes is based out of Central Oklahoma, a lovely, overall wonderful area that every Spring becomes a bullseye for wind and storms (or so it seems!). Naturally, this causes us to think about our roofs every so often.

To be fair, as homebuilders our team already finds ourselves thinking about roofing more than the average person. We’re in the business of helping our homeowners build a beautiful yet functional place to live, and roofing is one area that can define both a home’s style and its stability.

However, though it’s so important, roofing is often overlooked in favor of the more exciting selections (because, let’s face it, staring at rows of shingles is not especially exhilarating). So, we wanted to save you a bit of time and put together this quick little guide on the most common types of roofs and how they impact a house as a whole, both aesthetically and functionally.

Asphalt Shingles

According to Forbes, approx. 90% of American homes use asphalt shingles, which makes them by far the most common type of roofing in the US.

This is likely due to the range of quality, color, and price found in asphalt shingles. While every shingle is made of the same fiberglass, asphalt, and mineral composite base, manufacturers often spruce up their shingles by adding colors and protections at an added cost.

For example, popular roofing brand GAF sells basic, run-of-the-mill shingles, but they also offer a line with extra stain protection. They also carry the brightest green shingles we’ve ever seen. The point is that asphalt shingles can meet nearly any need, any style, and any budget.

The average cost of asphalt shingles is $1.50-$5.50 a square foot, and many brands come with a 20–30-year warranty.

GAF’s Timberline shingles (or a comparable alternative) come standard for every house we bid. Timberline is GAF’s most popular asphalt shingle, and we’ve used them for years without issue. Overall, any asphalt shingle, but especially the Timberline line, are a great choice for reliable roofing.

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Metal (Standing Seam or Shingles)

Metal roofs are a great way to hit the sweet spot between unique, durable, and affordable. While metal roofing is increasing in popularity, it certainly stands out more than the average asphalt shingle, and, unlike options like copper or slate, metal roofing won’t break the bank. Because it is actual metal, it’s also durable and very low maintenance. (A win-win… win!)

There are two types of metal roofs: standing seam and shingle.

Standing seam roofs are what usually comes to mind when picturing a metal roof, and they’re so named for the raised interlocking edges that help keep moisture out. It takes care and experience to lay sheets of metal in this way, though, so installation is difficult and can cost around $9-$14 a square foot.

Metal can also be manufactured to look like other materials, such as asphalt or slate, and installed in a way that mimics typical shingles. While metal shingles lack the distinct look of standing seam roofs, they do cost a few dollars a square foot less on the whole.

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Slate

Slate is known for being perhaps the most luxurious of the common roofing options, both in look and in price. Slate shingles are made of thinly sliced sheets of stone, making it a beautiful yet extremely hardy option. These roofs can withstand high winds and are notably resistant to impact (so, in windy and stormy Oklahoma, they can certainly be worth the cost).

Slade roofing can cost upward of $30 a square foot, and this is mainly because they require special installation—and anything specialized usually comes at a premium. However, they don’t require much maintenance and have a very long lifespan (75-150 years).

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Other Types of Roofing

Copper: Copper is a popular way to add a lot of interest to a home, but it comes at a lot of expense. Fully copper roofs are pretty rare because of the cost (around $40 a square foot—yikes). However, it’s not unusual to see homes with copper awnings or accents here and there. The most important thing to note about copper is that it oxidizes over the years, meaning that the color will eventually change to a greenish-bluish patina.

Wood: Wood features are a great way to add charm and rusticity to a home, and wooden roofs are no exception. In our experience, it’s more common to use wooden shakes or shingles in sections as opposed to whole roofs due to the higher levels of maintenance and treatment they require. However, if conditions are favorable wood roofs can last up to 50 years.

Clay: If asphalt shingles are the most popular in the US, clay shingles are considered the most popular in the world and have been used for more than 5,000 years. Clay roofs are a bit more costly to install and repair, but the tradeoff is their durability— they can last well over 100 years. One thing to note about clay roofs is that they’re typically confined to a few specific styles of home (try to picture clay terracotta shingles on a ranch house.)