What is the Best Pitched Roof Material for Your House?
- By: Cailin
- Feb 18 2025

Are you struggling to choose the right roof material when it’s time to replace your roof? This article will guide you through the different types of roofing materials and their pros and cons, providing you with useful insights to help you make an informed decision.
Understanding the Most Popular Roofing Material
1. Traditional Roofing Materials
Traditional roofing materials include wood, clay, slate tiles, and stone slates. These materials have been in use for over a thousand years. While they can add a natural, rustic charm to your home, they come with some significant drawbacks. These materials are fragile, prone to moss growth, and require high maintenance.

2. Metal Roofing Materials
Metal roofing began gaining popularity during World War II. Metal roofs are lightweight, durable, and efficient to produce. Typically made from steel sheets, these roofs require minimal maintenance and are fire-resistant. However, exposed nails are prone to rust, leading to leaks, and the material can dent easily. Noise during rainfall is also a common complaint, and the aesthetic appeal is not always ideal.
A breakthrough came in the 1960s with the invention of stone-coated metal roof tiles. These were developed to address the aesthetic issues of metal roofs by coating metal with stone chips. This not only enhanced the appearance but also improved durability, as the steel is no longer exposed to the elements. Stone-coated metal roof tiles are quieter and more durable, making them one of the best roofing materials on the market today.

3. Asphalt Roofing Materials
Asphalt shingles, invented in the United States, are an affordable and easy-to-install roofing material. Made from fiberglass coated with asphalt, topped with a layer of granules, asphalt shingles have become the most common choice for residential roofing due to their low cost and ease of maintenance. However, their lifespan is shorter compared to other roofing materials.

Comparing Roofing Materials
Average Lifespan:
Traditional Slate and Clay Tiles: 50-100 years, Stone-Coated Metal Roof Tiles: 30-50 years, Asphalt Shingles: 15-30 years.
In terms of installation costs, asphalt shingles are the cheapest, followed by metal roofing, with traditional tiles being the most expensive. Costs can vary depending on the region, but this general ranking holds true in most cases.
Maintenance costs follow the opposite pattern. Metal and asphalt roofs tend to have lower maintenance costs than traditional tiles.
The Best Roofing Material
Among the materials listed, stone-coated metal roof tiles stand out as the best roofing material. Their extended lifespan, lower installation and maintenance costs, and exceptional performance in various weather conditions make them an excellent choice. The stone coating provides not only enhanced durability but also aesthetic appeal, with a range of styles available to suit different homes. With a galvanized aluminum steel base, stone-coated metal roof tiles are resistant to the harshest environmental factors, making them an ideal solution for homeowners looking for a long-lasting roof without sacrificing style.
Stone-coated metal roof tiles are steadily gaining market share from asphalt shingles and are expected to become the most popular roofing material in the future.
Cailin Roofing is Looking for Global Partners
Thank you for reading this article! Cailin Roofing is one of the largest manufacturers of stone-coated metal roof tiles and asphalt shingles in China, and we are a global leader in BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic) roofing solutions. If you're interested in becoming our distributor or contractor, feel free to reach out. We offer one-stop roofing solutions, assisting you with marketing and technical challenges.

We're here to assist with any inquiries!
WhatsApp: +86 158- 2229- 8831(Tina Pan)
Write to us: info@cailinroofing.com
Factory address:Road, North Zone, Jinghai Economic Development Zone, Tianjin, China.