Asphalt Roof Shingles vs Other Roofing Types

Designer Chad Esslinger answers homeowner questions about roofs and home exterior design. Chad highlights a few reasons why asphalt shingles are a great choice for beauty, performance, and budget.

Asphalt Shingles vs Non-Asphalt Shingles: What’s Better for Design?

Homeowner Question: Do you think asphalt shingles are a good roofing design choice as compared to other roofing options on the market?

Chad’s Answer: In my opinion, asphalt roof shingles – especially architectural shingles – are a great design choice for the budget. When installed correctly by a trusted roofing professional, an asphalt shingle roof is reliable and high-performing and can also be beautiful, colorful, and distinctive, adding character and style to a roof at a fraction of the cost of other roofing materials. 

Roof Material Trends

While there are always “trends” in roofing materials, asphalt shingles continue to make up a very large portion of the types of roofs installed every year, which is a testament to their long-term popularity.

Asphalt shingles can also replicate the look of slate or wood without the expense or structural adjustments. Metal and shake roofing materials can be trendy but they are very distinctive design commitments. 

Asphalt Shingle Roof vs Metal Roof

Standing seam metal, a style you’d typically see on a farmhouse or barn, has been popping up in urban settings. 

Depending on the architecture and location of your house, a standing seam metal roof may not work well with your home’s exterior design – and could also look out of place in a residential neighborhood. Standing seam metal roof colors tend to be very saturated and bright.

Installing asphalt shingles on the majority of your roof and using metal or copper as accents, say on an overhang or dormer, is an alternative and cost-effective option for using non-asphalt coverings as a design element while leaving most of your roof’s aesthetic and protection to asphalt shingles.

Asphalt Shingle Roof vs Slate Roof

Real slate roofing is beautiful but typically out of the price range for most people.  Plus, there might be structural considerations due to the weight of real slate.

A more budget-friendly option is an asphalt shingle in the shape and color of slate, like Owens Corning’s Berkshire® Shingle.  

Asphalt Shingle Roof vs Wood Shake Roof

Wood shake roofing, if it’s even allowable because of fire codes, can look great when it first gets installed but can start to look gnarly as it ages. It splits and curls. 

The great thing about asphalt shingles is that they can give the look of wood but maintain their appearance.  In areas where wood shake is popular, Owens Corning has their line of Woodmoor® and Woodcrest® shingles that have a thicker appearance than standard shingles and have an installed shape of staggered wood shake.

In the end, asphalt shingles have a softer, more versatile look, in a wide range of styles and colors.  There is sure to be an option that will work for your exterior design plan and budget.

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