Asphalt Shingle Roof Types
Homeowners can choose among several options of asphalt roof shingles for upgrades or replacements, including tab, architectural, and designer shingles. Impact-resistant, algae-resistant, and weather-resistant are also options.
Tab asphalt shingles are the simplest and most cost-friendly shingles on the market. Their uniform rectangular tabs form a flatter roofline. While these shingles are less common on newer homes, they remain a popular choice for traditional looks and budget-conscious projects.
Metal Roof Types For Homes
Metal roofs, manufactured with aluminum, steel, or zinc, are widely known as low-maintenance, durable choices. They are fire- and corrosion-resistant and lightweight. Subcategories include standing seam and metal.
Specialty Roof Types
Designer asphalt shingles, also called premium, luxury, or hybrid shingles, are made to mimic the appearance of more costly roofing materials such as tile, slate, or wool. They also feature multiple layers for a more visually appealing result and exceptional durability. As their name suggests, designer shingles typically come at a premium price.
Architectural Shingle Roof Types
Architectural shingles, also called dimensional or laminated shingles, come with multiple layers that form a three-dimensional, textured style. A combination of aesthetic appeal, durability, and mid-to-upper price point makes this shingle type increasingly popular with new construction.
Standing Seam Metal Roof Types
Standing seam roofs are the most durable and weathertight. The panels are seamed together to create lines, eliminate exposed fasteners, and offer exceptional leak resistance.
Metal shingles mimic the look of slate or other materials while creating a more traditional aesthetic appeal. They are less weathertight than standing seam roofs, but they are also low-maintenance and highly durable.

Flat And Low-Slope Roof Types
Flat and low-slope roofs have a pitch of 10 degrees or less. Flat roofs are popular for their affordability, faster installation, and modern design. They blend in well in densely built environments and require easy maintenance.
Flat roofing materials come in three main types: single ply, multi-ply, and other materials such as green roofs, metal, and roll roofing. Single-ply roofing offers flexibility, efficiency, and durability, with three main types: EPDM rubber, TPO, and PVC. While these options are more budget-friendly, they may be less long-lived than other choices.
Multi-ply roofing materials include built-up roofing (BUR), modified bitumen, and hybrid systems. BUR involves alternating layers of asphalt or coal tar and reinforcing fabrics, creating a thick, durable roof that is topped with a coating or gravel. The other two types are variations of the first. They don’t handle ponding water well in low spots, but scheduled maintenance can help avert any problems.
Flat and low-slope roofs require considerable planning for water drainage. Professional roofers use three main sloping types to facilitate effective drainage: single-slope, valleyed, and centralized. Parapet walls often surround the roof slopes to prevent accumulated water from overflowing along the sides of the roof.