Replacing the roof on your Tampa, FL home is an opportunity to ramp up your property’s curbside appeal, completely alter its aesthetics, and achieve higher levels of efficiency and performance. Although asphalt shingles are currently the top roofing choice in the nation, there are many other roofing materials to choose from. Moreover, each option comes with its own set of attributes, and each is offered at a different price point. To help you choose, the following covers 12 roofing materials and their average cost.
1. Built-up Roofing
A top choice for low-sloped and flat roofs, built-up roofing (BUR) comprises multiple layers of asphalt sheets and felt. These roofing systems are applied over a vapor retarder or roof deck, and they’re usually between two and four layers thick. This creates a tight seal that protects the building from water leaks. BUR is finished with a final layer of crushed stone for fire resistance. Built-up roofing costs between $2.50 and $5 per square foot of surface area.
2. Rolled Roofing
Much like BUR, rolled roofing is a common choice for low-sloped or flat roofs. Also known as mineral surface rolled roofing, or MSR, rolled roofing is composed of mineral surfaced oil-based asphalt that’s applied in several sheets. It’s one of the lowest-priced roofing materials that homeowners can choose. However, it doesn’t offer much by way of improved curbside appeal. It also has a very limited lifespan. On average, rolled roofs last between just five and 15 years.
MSR is an asphalt and mineral-impregnated material that works well on many workshops, flat-roofed garages, and other free-standing structures. It costs between $1.50 and $2.50 per square foot of surface area.
3. Wood Shingles
Wood shingle roofs are an acceptable choice for sloped roofs. They’re known for their natural aesthetic beauty, longevity, and impressive weather resistance. Wood shingles are often made from cedar and cost between $5 and $9 per square foot of surface area. These shingles are flexible, stable, and naturally insulating. However, they aren’t the ideal roofing choice in regions with large termite populations, areas that experience wildfires, or high-moisture locations. On average, wood shingle roofs are expected to last between 30 and 50 years when made from cedar. Wood shingles made with teak can last for 80 years but may cost as much as $30 per square foot for installation.
4. Concrete Tile
Concrete tile roofs are resistant to strong winds, hail, and other extreme elements. They’re also Class A fire-rated which makes them an excellent choice in wildfire-prone regions. Ease of maintenance, sustainability, and customizable aesthetics are among the many attributes of this roofing material.
However, concrete tiles can weather faster than other materials in certain areas. Moreover, given that these tiles are composites, they shatter easily upon impact. For instance, if a concrete tile loosens and falls to the ground, it’s unlikely to remain intact for reapplication. These tiles are also much heavier than other comparable composites, and they are therefore unsuitable for roofs with steep slopes. Concrete tiles typically cost between $10 and $20 per square foot of surface area. When properly installed, a concrete tile roof can last up to 50 years.
5. Clay Tile
Clay tiles are among the most enduring roofing materials available. When properly installed and maintained, clay tile roofs can last for a full century. With an average cost of $10 to $20 per square foot, these roofs are an excellent choice for hot, humid climates and areas with high levels of salt air. This is why they’re often seen on beach houses and other waterfront properties, and why they’re so popular in Florida.
To create clay tiles, earthen clay is rolled or shaped into interlocking designs and then kiln-fired to harden it. The results are durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically beautiful.
6. Slate Tile
Slate tile roofs comprise many layers of natural slate stone. They’re aesthetically beautiful, enduring, and well-suited to fire-prone environments. Hard slate roofs can last between 75 and 200 years, and soft slate roofs have an average lifespan of 50 to 120 years. Thus, if you’re looking for a roof that will remain intact throughout your lifetime, slate tile is the right choice.
Slate roofs are low maintenance, and they add both real and aesthetic value to homes. Their biggest drawback is that they’re incredibly heavy and therefore unsuitable for roofs with steep slopes. They’re also costly. On average, having a slate roof installed will cost between $15 and $30 per square foot of surface area.
7. Synthetic Slate Tile
Like clay tiles, synthetic slate tile roofs can last up to 100 years. Costing between $9 and $12 per square foot, they also have a fairly reasonable price. Synthetic slate tiles can look remarkably like natural slate in many instances, but they both weigh and cost a lot less. Made from recycled rubber and plastics that are combined with engineered polymers, they’re a top choice among consumers seeking sustainable, eco-friendly roofing materials. Using synthetic slate is a great way to put recycled products back into use even as it limits the demand for materials that are not renewable within a human’s lifespan.
As far as drawbacks go, synthetic slate tile lacks a Class A fire rating. Moreover, it isn’t guaranteed to last 100 years or offer a comparable level of integrity in all installations. It’s also important to note that not all synthetic slate tile roofs are convincingly similar looking to natural slate.
8. All-Copper Roofs
Copper is another roofing material that has the ability to last 100 years or more. Known for its efficiency, durability, and aesthetic beauty, copper is also naturally antimicrobial. When used in roofing, it’s effective at preventing mold and mildew formation. Copper also offers quick and easy installation, and it’s resistant to eroding, shrinkage, and cracking.
With an average cost of $25 to $35 per square foot, copper roofing is among the most costly options available. Copper roofing can also expand and contract during times of extreme temperature change, which may cause loosening at its fasteners and other moderate repair issues.
9. Steel or Aluminum Shakes
Copper certainly isn’t the only option in metal roofing. There are also steel and aluminum shakes. If you want an all-metal roof at an affordable cost, you’ll find these materials available at just $8 to $15 per square foot. Steel shake roofs can last between 40 and 70 years, and aluminum shake roofs can last between 50 and 80. Made from stamped metal, these roofs often have baked-on coatings to keep them protected from the elements and corrosion.
10. Asphalt Composite Shingles
Popular and inexpensive, asphalt composite shingles can be found on roofs throughout the nation. Costing just $1.50 to $4 per square foot, these shingles are a top choice among both homeowners and developers. Made from asphalt-topped fiberglass, they’re lightweight and enduring. Most roofs made from this material last between 20 and 30 years, and many come with 20-year warranties.
11. A Living Roof
A living roof or an intensive green roof is essentially a rooftop garden. This unorthodox roofing material is composed of living plants that naturally insulate the building and efficiently absorb moisture. The cost of living roof materials can range between $1.50 per square foot and $12 depending upon how the roof is designed and which elements it includes. Installed over waterproof membranes, living roofs typically last between 10 and 30 years.
12. Standing-Seam Metal Roofing
Standing-seam metal roofing is the most common choice in metal roofs due to its reasonable cost, impressive aesthetics, and ability to hold up well under heavy snow loads. Made with interlocking steel or aluminum panels, these roofs cost between $10 and $17 per square foot, and they can last up to 80 years with proper installation and maintenance.
We offer reliable residential and commercial roofing services throughout Tampa, FL and the surrounding area. We also provide heating, cooling, indoor air quality, and solar services. If it’s time to replace your roof and you want help finding the right materials for your budget and your goals, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with Protek Roofing, Heating, Air & Solar today.
