How Much Can You Expect to Pay for Different Roofing Materials?

The cost of roofing materials has fluctuated over the years due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Suppliers outside the United States have also been indirect casualties in the nation’s increasing trade wars. Tariffs make their products more costly to American buyers, encouraging more contractors to source locally. These economic developments have made roofing procurement tricky.

Fortunately, you can minimize your exposure to wild price swings by considering multiple materials for your project. Learn about how much you can expect to pay for these five popular residential roofing options.

1.    Asphalt Composite Shingle Roofing

Asphalt is the most affordable roofing material in the U.S. It’s a by-product of crude oil — an abundant but finite commodity whose price can artificially rise and fall when producers decide to control supply. Green policies can also impact crude oil prices when governments restrict energy production by creating barriers to drilling activities.

Nevertheless, asphalt roofing manufacturers can keep their prices competitive through economies of scale. They can minimize the impact of costs on their offering because they’re efficient at what they do. The problem is asphalt composite shingles include fiberglass — a commodity the U.S. heavily imports. Tariffs could inflate fiberglass shipments.

On the bright side, leading asphalt shingle companies have dozens of domestic manufacturing plants across the U.S. These brands have sites in strategic locations nationwide to simplify logistics and minimize transportation costs.

Complicated roof design can offset savings from local sourcing. A simple house crowned with an open gable roof requires less material than a complex property covered by numerous intersecting roof sections.

Replacement projects in the U.S. cost about $11,500 for average-sized homes. Depending on the quality, asphalt shingles can drive it down to only four digits or push it up by several thousand more.

2.    Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Metal is the distant second-most popular steep-slope roofing material on the market despite costing almost twice as much as laminated architectural asphalt shingles per square foot. While galvanized steel and galvalume steel are untraditional, many homeowners don’t mind splurging on them because of their durability, longevity, fire resistance and thermal reflectivity.

Contractors can source products from domestic metal roofing manufacturers. However, the U.S. is also a voracious net importer of steel, aluminum and zinc — construction materials primarily used to fabricate standing seam metal roofing panels. These commodities are susceptible to price hikes due to tariffs levied on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.

The U.S. is a major steel and zinc producer. Much of its aluminum industry hinges on recycling rather than refining virgin ore. Although domestic enterprises stand to benefit from the tariffs, the prices of these construction metals may skyrocket when local supply fails to keep pace with surging demand.

3.    Wood Shake or Shingle Roofing

Wood is more expensive than the above two because it takes longer to produce than generating asphalt from crude oil and recycling scrap metal into new products. The U.S. is also a significant importer of cedar and redwood — the most widely used species for wood shake and shingle roofing.

Lumber is a primary building material in the U.S. Cedar and redwood roofers have to compete with local boating, siding, decking and fencing manufacturers for scarce supply, which may also become subject to tariffs down the road. Additionally, if the wood is not treated correctly, it could lead to expensive repairs. For example, like in a car, homeowners should inspect the inside of their roofs for sagging or staining. Their presence means water has started to leak through, and a call to the roofer is necessary.

4.    Clay Tile Roofing

The U.S. is self-sufficient in ceramic roofing. Clay roof tiles come from ball clay — a commodity mostly mined and processed in the Southeast. It can satisfy most of the demand from its domestic suppliers and import materials only to bridge the gap.

Ball clay may be domestically abundant, but it’s heavy. It merits additional structural support, complicating installation and driving up labor costs.

5.    Slate Tile Roofing

The U.S. has a long-standing slate roofing industry. Its natural slate quarries are mostly in the Northeast. American manufacturers occasionally import from Canada to increase the supply and satisfy the diverse demand.

Locally sourced slate roofing is less prone to supply chain disruptions and tariff-fueled price hikes since domestic producers could increase output when necessary. However, slate is arguably the most expensive roofing material. Its price is comparable to clay because of its labor-intensive installation.

Put a Premium on Cost-Effectiveness

Pricier doesn’t necessarily mean better. Let the property’s architectural style narrow down your roofing options, and find a healthy balance between quality and affordability to minimize upfront expenses and avoid costly long-term maintenance and premature replacement.