Are You Wondering What Type Of Roof Shingles You have?

The Different Types of Roof Shingles, and Why It Matters

When you schedule a roof inspection or replacement with Advantage Roofing, one of the first things we’ll ask is:

“What type of roof shingle is on your home?”

It’s not a trick question—we just want to make sure you get the right help as quickly as possible. The truth is, we specialize in asphalt shingle roofs, and after installing thousands of them over the past 24 years, we’ve gotten pretty good at it.

If you have asphalt shingles, you’re in the right place.

If you have something else, we’ll point you in the right direction.

Here’s a quick guide to spotting different types of roof shingles and the most common roof types:

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Asphalt Shingles (Our Specialty)

• Look for: Overlapping rectangular tabs with a textured, grainy surface. Comes in many colors.
• Why homeowners love it: Affordable, reliable, and blends with almost any home style.
• Lifespan: 20–50 years.

💡 If this sounds like your roof—you’re in exactly the right place. We love installing shingle roofs that are strong, beautiful, and built to last.

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Slate

• Look for: Flat stone tiles—usually gray, black, or dark green.
• Why it’s unique: Very heavy, extremely long-lasting, and expensive to repair.
• Lifespan: 75–100+ years.

⚠️ We don’t work on slate, but we can refer you to a roofer who does.

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Wood Shake or Wood Shingle

• Look for: Natural wood pieces (often cedar) with a rustic texture.
• Why it’s unique: Beautiful, but high-maintenance and not fireproof unless treated.
• Lifespan: 20–40 years.

⚠️ We don’t work on wood shake roofs, but we can help you find the right specialist.

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Metal

Look for: Large panels or smaller shingle-like pieces in silver, gray, or colored finishes.

Why it’s unique: Lightweight, durable, and often seen on barns, cabins, and modern homes.

Lifespan: 40–70 years.

⚠️ We don’t install or repair metal roofs, but we can help you confirm if that’s what you have

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Tile

Look for: Curved or flat tiles made from clay, concrete, or composite materials—often red, orange, brown, or tan.

Why it’s unique: Common in warmer climates and Mediterranean-style homes, very durable but heavy.

Lifespan: 50–100 years.

⚠️ We don’t work on tile roofs, but we can help you identify them and point you to a qualified specialist.

Different Types Of Roof Shingles: Rubber (EPDM or Synthetic)

• Look for: Smooth, flat black, white, or gray membrane—often on flat or low-slope roofs.
• Why it’s unique: Common on commercial buildings but sometimes on homes.
• Lifespan: 25–50 years.

⚠️ We don’t work on rubber roofs.

Why This Matters Before You Fill Out Our Form

We ask about your roof type so we can:
✅ Confirm it’s one we work on (asphalt shingles)
✅ Start preparing your personalized shingle roof replacement estimate right away
✅ Save you time if you need a different type of contractor

Additional Resource: This Old House general contractor Tom Silva compares the qualities of different types of roofing materials

If Your Roof Has Asphalt Shingles…

You’re in the right place. We can schedule your inspection or replacement right away and walk you through a simple, stress-free process to get a strong, beautiful shingle roof you’ll love.