Often referred to as residential roofs, steep slope roofs refer to anything with a pitch above 3/12. Steep slope roofs can be installed with an array of materials such as shingles, metal, or tile. Sometimes roofs with a pitch above 9/12 are also referred to as steep slope roofs, as these roofs often require special equipment such as scaffolding and rigging to safely perform the installation.

Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used residential roofing material in the United States. This is due to its affordability, durability (15-30 year lifespan), and simple installation. Asphalt shingles are often made using a combination of asphalt and fiberglass and are sold as 3-tab shingles, dimensional shingles, and luxury shingles.

As opposed to asphalt shingles which are typically composed of fiberglass, synthetic or composite shingles are produced using a combination of materials such as wood, laminate, slate, and even recyclable materials. This allows them to be designed in a variety of appearances which can even mimic other materials. This combination of materials also contributes to resistance from cracking, splitting, peeling, or warping, resulting in a 30-50 year life expectancy,

Wood shake provides versatility in appearance because of the availability of different woods, grains, and splits. Wood shake is typically made from cedar, redwood, or cypress, protects against most weather conditions due to its thickness, and is environmentally friendly.

Fire-resistant, water-resistant, and weather-resistant, slate roofs are one of the most durable roofs available, with some roofs providing protection for nearly 200 years. While being one of the longest-lasting roofing materials, slate is also one of the most expensive. Slate comes in both hard slate and soft slate, both of which are produced from metamorphic rocks and provide unique appearances.

Coming in a variety of shapes and colors, as well as glazed or unglazed options, ceramic tiles are made from clay and provide excellent insulation and durability with a life expectancy of 50-100 years. Ceramic tiles are much heavier than other materials such as wood or shingles, which may require your roofing structure to be reinforced to support the additional weight if installing as a new system. Ceramic tiles are environmentally friendly, touting the lowest life-cycle costs and 100% recyclable waste.

Extremely durable, metal roofs have a life expectancy of 50 to 100 years and are suitable for both warm and cold climates. Metal roofs are an especially great choice for locations prone to wildfires as they have a Class A fire resistance rating. Available in sheet panels, shingles, shakes, and a variety of colors, metal roofs are lightweight, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient.

Machine cut from a block of cedar, cedar shingles are thinner than cedar shake. While other types of wood are used, cedar is popular because of its high-quality performance and beautiful appearance. Cedar shingles have a common life span of 30 years when properly installed and maintained.

Some homes are comprised of multiple roof styles and pitches, and can therefore require multiple roof systems to be installed. If you have questions about a custom roof configuration please reach out to us with more information.