Roof Coverings: Types & Costs
Pitched roofs — main coverings
Concrete Roof Tiles (baseline = 0%)
- Pros: Durable, good value, wide colors; good thermal mass.
- Cons: Heavy (needs robust structure); moss in shade if not detailed.
- Cost vs baseline: 0% (reference)
- Lifecycle upkeep (~15–20 yrs): 0–10% (repointing/ridge, occasional cleaning)
Clay Roof Tiles
- Pros: Premium look, colorfast (fired), long lifespan.
- Cons: Higher unit %; brittle if mishandled.
- Cost vs baseline: +20–50%
- Lifecycle: −5–15% (very stable, fewer replacements)
Natural Slate
- Pros: Top durability/aesthetics, very low water absorption.
- Cons: High material/skill %; heavier.
- Cost vs baseline: +60–150%
- Lifecycle: −10–25% (longest life; minimal upkeep)
Metal Tile/Pressed Steel Panels
- Pros: Light, fast install, looks like tile, fewer structural demands.
- Cons: Noise without underlay; potential denting; cut-edge care.
- Cost vs baseline: −10–+10%
- Lifecycle: 0–10% (inspect coatings/fasteners)
Standing-Seam Metal (Alu/Zn/Steel)
- Pros: Sleek, lightweight, low seams, great on low-pitch.
- Cons: Skilled install; expansion detailing; higher %.
- Cost vs baseline: +30–80%
- Lifecycle: −5–15% (quality coatings = low upkeep)
Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles
- Pros: Light, versatile details, fast install.
- Cons: UV aging; shorter life vs tile/slate; hail sensitivity (grade-dependent).
- Cost vs baseline: −15–0%
- Lifecycle: +5–15% (periodic repairs/re-roof sooner)
Wood Shingles/Shakes
- Pros: Warm, natural aesthetic, good insulation value.
- Cons: Fire rating/impregnation needed; maintenance; climate-sensitive.
- Cost vs baseline: +10–40%
- Lifecycle: +10–25% (treatments/cleaning)
Fibre-Cement/Composite Slates
- Pros: Slate look, lighter, consistent sizes.
- Cons: Not as long-lived as natural slate.
- Cost vs baseline: +10–35%
- Lifecycle: 0–10%
Stone-Coated Steel
- Pros: Tile look with metal lightness; good wind/hail resistance.
- Cons: Detail care at cuts/flashings; proprietary parts.
- Cost vs baseline: +10–40%
- Lifecycle: 0–10%
Flat/low-slope roofs — waterproofing “coverings”
(Material cost deltas vs Torch-On Bituminous Membrane = 0%)
- Self-Adhesive Bitumen: +10–25%
- Single-Ply TPO: +15–35%
- Single-Ply PVC: +10–30%
- EPDM: +0–20%
- Liquid PU (with UV topcoat): +5–25%
- PMMA (rapid cure): +30–60%
- Polyurea (sprayed): +40–80%
- Inverted Roof (XPS + ballast/pavers over membrane): total build-up +25–55% vs a conventional warm roof
Notes (flat):
- Single-ply = light/fast; protect where trafficked.
- Liquids = seamless for complex details.
- Inverted = protects membrane; good for terraces.
Performance highlights (pitched)
- Wind uplift: Metal standing seam & stone-coated steel excel with proper clips; tiles need correct anchoring in high-wind zones.
- Weight/structure: Slate/Concrete/Clay are heavy; metal/asphalt are light (good for retrofits).
- Fire: Clay/Concrete/Slate/Metal are non-combustible surfaces; wood needs rated treatments; shingles depend on class.
- Noise: Metal needs acoustic underlay to soften rain noise.
- Thermal: Covering choice affects solar gain (color/reflectance) more than U-value; insulation layer drives U-value.
- Pitch suitability: Standing seam works on lower pitches; tiles/slate need minimum slopes (check product).
Owner benefits
- Durability & resale: Slate/Clay/Standing-seam boost long-term value.
- Speed & structure: Metal and shingles reduce programme and structural loads.
- Aesthetics: Clay/Slate = premium, timeless; metal = contemporary; concrete = broad style at value.
- Maintenance: Fewer joints (metal, large tiles) and quality flashings lower upkeep.
Risks & how to avoid them
- Leaks at penetrations/valleys (all): Use manufacturer flashings, trained installers, and continuous underlay.
- Under-ventilation/condensation: Ensure correct vapor control + ventilation (cold roofs) or continuous warm roof build-ups.
- Fixing corrosion/cut edges (metal): Stainless/approved fasteners; seal cut edges; avoid dissimilar metals.
- Wind damage (tiles/shingles): Use storm clips/nailing patterns for zone; follow uplift charts.
- Breakage (slate/clay): Careful handling; graded battening; correct headlap by pitch.
- Overheating glare (metal/light tiles): Select finishes with suitable solar reflectance; add attic ventilation where required.
Quick choice guide
- Timeless premium & longest life: Natural Slate or Clay Tile
- Best value traditional look: Concrete Tile
- Lightweight & fast retrofit / low pitch: Standing-Seam Metal or Metal Tile
- Budget & fast detailing: Asphalt Shingles (check local availability/class)
- Coastal/harsh weather: Clinker-grade clay or stone-coated steel with stainless fixings
- Flat terraces: Single-ply TPO/PVC or PMMA; Inverted for pavers
Cost recap (percentages only)
- Pitched—materials install (vs Concrete Tile = 0%):
- Asphalt Shingles −15–0% · Metal Tile −10–+10% · Fibre-Cement +10–35% · Wood +10–40% · Clay +20–50% · Standing-Seam +30–80% · Slate +60–150%
- Lifecycle upkeep (~15–20 yrs vs Concrete = 0–10%):
- Slate −10–25% · Clay −5–15% · Standing-Seam −5–15% · Metal Tile/Fibre-Cement 0–10% · Asphalt +5–15% · Wood +10–25%
