Materials
Asphalt, metal, tile and flat-roof membranes compared on cost and lifespan.
Asphalt shingles, metal panels, clay and concrete tile, and flat-roof membranes each fit certain roofs and certain budgets. The right one depends on the pitch, the weight your framing can carry, the climate and how long you plan to stay.
The guides here compare materials on lifespan, upkeep and the conditions that shorten their life. The Roof library has a side-by-side table to keep open while you read quotes.
Read these first
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Field reference
Roofing Materials Compared: Asphalt, Metal, Tile, Flat
A side-by-side table of the four main roof types, with the conditions that shorten or extend each one's life.
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Field checklist
Roof Inspection Checklist for Homeowners
What to look for from the yard, the attic and the ceilings, and what each sign usually means.
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Field guide
How to Hire a Roofer and Compare Written Quotes
Vetting a crew, reading a written quote and avoiding the usual traps, step by step.
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Field calculator
Roof Area Estimator: Squares from Footprint and Pitch
Turn a house footprint, overhang and pitch into roof area and roofing squares.