Choosing a Roof
Side-by-side comparisons of materials, styles, colors and manufacturers, so you can choose with confidence.
25 guides
- "Made in the USA" Roofing: What the Label Really Means"Made in the USA" roofing is governed by the FTC's "all or virtually all" standard — but a roof is a system (panels, underlayment, fasteners, trim), and the claim often covers only the parts a…
- Aluminum Roofing for Patios, Porches & VerandasAluminum is a popular patio and porch roofing choice because it is light, rust-proof, and low-maintenance.
- Aluminum vs. Galvalume vs. Steel RoofingThe key difference is corrosion. Aluminum contains no iron and cannot rust.
- Aluminum vs. Steel Roofing: Which Is Better?Both are excellent, but they differ in one decisive way: aluminum cannot rust because it contains no iron, while steel relies on a sacrificial zinc or Galvalume coating that wears over time and can…
- Are Interlocking Roof Tiles Better? Interlocking vs. OverlappingYes — interlocking roof tiles and shingles are generally better than overlapping ones for wind resistance, watertightness, and longevity.
- Burnished Slate Metal Roof: The Color & How to Pair ItBurnished Slate is a popular metal-roof color — a warm, dark brownish-gray that reads like weathered slate.
- How to Choose a Metal Roofing ManufacturerWhen choosing a metal roofing manufacturer, look past the logo to what matters: the metal (aluminum resists rust, while most manufacturers make steel), a genuine transferable lifetime warranty…
- How to Choose the Right Metal Roof Style for Your HomeMatch the profile to your home's architecture: Slate and Cedar Shingle suit traditional and craftsman homes, Shake gives a rustic cabin look, Mediterranean Tile fits Spanish and stucco homes, and…
- Interlock Mediterranean Tile: Metal Tile Roofing Specs & BenefitsInterlock Mediterranean Tile is an aluminum, hidden-fastener roofing system that mimics the barrel-tile look at a fraction of the weight.
- Interlock Shake: Aluminum Shake Roofing Specs & BenefitsInterlock Shake is an aluminum, shake-look roofing system finished with the Alunar coating.
- Interlock Slate & Cedar Shingle: Aluminum Roofing Specs & BenefitsInterlock Slate and Cedar Shingle is a four-way interlocking aluminum roofing system finished with the Alunar coating.
- Interlock Standing Seam: Aluminum Standing Seam Roofing ExplainedInterlock Standing Seam is a vertical-panel aluminum roofing system finished with the Alunar coating.
- Metal Roof Colors & Coatings: How to ChooseMetal roof color affects both looks and energy. 84 thermal emissivity.
- Metal Roof vs. Cedar Shake: Looks Without the UpkeepMetal shake gives the look of hand-split cedar without the maintenance or risk.
- Metal Roof vs. Clay or Concrete TileMetal tile gives the Mediterranean/Spanish look at a fraction of the weight.
- Metal Roofing Manufacturers Near You: Factory-Direct vs. DistributorSearching "metal roofing manufacturers near me" turns up three different things: manufacturers who make the metal, distributors who sell it, and contractors who install it.
- Metal Roofing vs. Rubber Roofing (Recycled Rubber Shingles): Which Is Better?Metal and rubber roofing shingles both mimic slate or shake on sloped roofs, but they differ sharply.
- Metal Slate Roof vs. Real Slate: Cost, Weight & LifespanA metal slate roof gives the slate look at a fraction of natural slate's cost and weight, with better impact resistance and easier installation.
- Standing Seam Metal Roofers Near You: How to Buy the Right SystemStanding seam is installed by specialized metal-roofing crews, not general asphalt roofers — the seaming, clips, and flashing require specific training and tools.
- Standing Seam vs. Corrugated & Exposed-Fastener Metal RoofingThe core difference is the fasteners: standing seam hides them under raised interlocking seams, while corrugated — also called exposed-fastener, screw-down, or R-panel — is screwed through the face…
- Standing Seam vs. Metal Shingles: Which Is Right for You?Both are premium metal roofs; the choice is mostly aesthetic and architectural.
- Synthetic Slate vs. Metal Slate RoofingSynthetic slate is molded from polymer or composite to mimic slate; metal slate is stamped from aluminum or steel.
- The Best Roof for Solar Panels: Material, Pitch & DirectionThe best roof for solar panels is a durable, long-lasting one with good sun exposure — ideally a standing seam metal roof facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere) at a pitch roughly equal to your…
- Types of Aluminum Roofing: Which Style Is Right for You?Aluminum roofing comes in five main styles: shingle/slate panels, shake panels, tile panels, standing seam, and corrugated sheet.
- Where to Buy Aluminum ShinglesPremium aluminum shingles are generally not sold off the shelf at big-box stores — they are sold and installed as an engineered system through the manufacturer's certified installers.