There are three main types of asphalt roof shingle, 3-tab, architectural and luxury, and five other families of shingle made from wood, slate, metal, composite or polymer, and solar cells. Asphalt is the cheapest, starting near $1.50 a square foot for 3-tab and $3.50 for architectural, according to HomeAdvisor. Wood, slate, metal and solar shingles all cost more per square foot and some last far longer. The table below puts them side by side, and each section after it says what the type is and who it fits.
The shingle types at a glance
| Type | Made of | Installed cost per square foot | Typical life | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-tab asphalt | Fiberglass mat, asphalt, granules; one layer | from $1.50 | 20 years (InterNACHI) | Tight budgets, short stays, outbuildings |
| Architectural asphalt | Same, layers bonded together | from $3.50 | 30 years (InterNACHI) | Most family homes |
| Luxury asphalt | Thicker laminated asphalt, slate or shake look | from $9.50 (HomeAdvisor's "luxury synthetic") | not listed | Looks first, budget second |
| Wood shingles and shakes | Cedar or other wood | $4.50 to $9 shingles; $5.50 to $13.50 shakes | 20 to 60 years, by grade | Traditional look, with a fire-rule check |
| Slate | Natural stone | $20 to $30 | 50 to 200 years, by slate | Long ownership, strong frame |
| Metal shingles | Steel, aluminum or other metal, stamped to look like shingles | $7 to $22 | 40 to 70 years (all metal roofs) | Long ownership, lighter than slate |
| Composite or polymer | A mix of plastic, wood, asphalt or other materials | $4 to $8 | 30 to 50 years | Slate or shake look for less |
| Solar shingles | Roofing with solar cells | about $23, or $3.50 to $8 per watt | 25 to 30 years | A roof you want to double as power |
Prices and lives come from HomeAdvisor, Fixr and InterNACHI, read October 13, 2026, and are national ranges. They disagree in places, which the sections below point out. The starting prices for asphalt are for the shingle line, not a finished roof.
3-tab asphalt shingles
A 3-tab shingle is one flat strip with two cutouts along its lower edge, which makes each strip look like three tabs once it is on the roof. It is the lightest and cheapest asphalt shingle. InterNACHI, the home inspectors' association, lists 20 years for it, and HomeAdvisor gives 15 to 20. One maker's 3-tab line, CertainTeed's XT 25, carries a 25-year limited warranty and a wind warranty of 5 years at up to 60 mph. A warranty is not a lifespan.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) calls this family strip shingles and says the three-tab style is the most common of them. When a 3-tab roof still makes sense is the subject of our guide on architectural versus 3-tab shingles.
Architectural asphalt shingles
ARMA calls these laminated shingles: several layers that add thickness and depth, also sold as three-dimensional or architectural shingles. InterNACHI lists 30 years. The same maker's Landmark line carries a lifetime limited warranty and a 110 mph wind warranty for 15 years, with an upgrade to 160 mph that needs the maker's own starter and ridge products. For most houses this is the middle choice: a modest price step up from 3-tab for about ten more years and a better warranty. The shingle itself is only part of the roof's price, because HomeAdvisor says labor is about 60% of the cost.
Luxury or designer asphalt shingles
At the top of the asphalt range sit heavy, multi-layer shingles shaped to look like slate or wood shakes. HomeAdvisor lists the top tier at $9.50 a square foot, under its label "luxury synthetic". CertainTeed's Grand Manor, a premium asphalt shingle designed to replicate natural slate, has a lifetime limited warranty, a 110 mph wind warranty for 15 years and a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating. Makers name these tiers differently, so read the exact product on an estimate; how the major shingle makers organize their lines explains the usual structure. For a hail rating you can check, see Class 4 impact-resistant shingles.
Wood shingles and shakes
Wood roofs come in two forms: sawn shingles and thicker, rougher shakes. HomeAdvisor puts cedar shingles at $4.50 to $9 a square foot installed and shakes at $5.50 to $13.50. Its lifespan figures vary with the grade of wood: 20 to 30 years for common grade, 30 to 50 for select grade, and up to 60 for straight-grain wood with good care. InterNACHI's chart gives wood 25 years.
InterNACHI says building codes call for a minimum slope of 4 in 12 for shakes and 3 in 12 for shingles, and notes that the rougher shakes let wind-driven rain in more easily. Check fire rules and your insurer's terms, and our guide on cedar shake roof cost covers fire treatment and insurance.
Slate shingles
Natural slate is stone split into thin tiles. HomeAdvisor puts it at $20 to $30 a square foot installed and says a slate roof can last 100 to 200 years, with a broader range of 50 to 200 and softer slate at 50 to 125. InterNACHI's chart says 60 to 150 years. HomeAdvisor says slate can weigh up to four times as much as asphalt, so most homes need added structural support. It also needs a roofer who specializes in it. Our guide to slate roof cost covers grades, weight and repairs.
Metal shingles
Metal shingles are stamped sheets made in the shape of shingles, slate or shakes, in steel, aluminum or other metals. HomeAdvisor lists metal shingles at $7 to $22 a square foot, against $3.50 to $15 for corrugated panels and $7 to $30 for standing seam, and says a metal roof can last 40 to 70 years, depending on the metal. That is a wide range, and it depends on the metal: aluminum nearly 50 years, stainless steel up to 100, copper and zinc more than 100 with care. In our other guides, metal shingles versus standing seam compares the two main metal styles and metal roof versus shingles weighs metal against asphalt.
Composite and polymer shingles
"Composite" shingles are made from mixed materials, and HomeAdvisor lists plastic, wood, asphalt and laminate among them. It puts composite roofing at $4 to $8 a square foot, up to $15 for a complex job, with lives of 30 to 50 years. This is different from the trade's "composition" roof, which usually means an ordinary asphalt roof, so write down the product line on any estimate. Synthetic slate and shake are covered in Is synthetic slate or shake roofing worth it?.
Solar shingles
Solar shingles are roofing pieces with solar cells built in. Fixr, in a page dated January 30, 2026, gives about $23 a square foot, or $3.50 to $8 per watt, with most individual shingles making 18 to 22 watts, and says they last 25 to 30 years. Our guide on solar shingles versus solar panels compares them with panels. A summary by the U.S. Department of Energy of industry views said respondents thought a shingle roof's expected life roughly matches that of conventional solar modules, and also named concerns about matching products and certifying custom sizes.
How to choose
Five questions narrow it quickly:
- What is your budget today? Asphalt costs the least.
- How long will you stay? Long ownership favors longer-lived types.
- Can your roof frame carry it? Slate in particular is heavy.
- How steep is the roof? Each type has a minimum slope, which your roofer should state.
- What do your insurer and local code say? Ask both before you price a wood roof.
For the full comparison with tile and flat roofs, use our roofing materials guide. If you are leaning toward asphalt, what an asphalt shingle roof is is the pillar page for the whole family.
Frequently asked questions
What are the three types of asphalt shingles?
3-tab, architectural and luxury (also called designer or premium). 3-tab is a single flat layer, architectural is laminated for depth, and luxury is thicker and made to look like slate or shake.
Which type of shingle is best?
None is best for every roof. Architectural is the usual choice for a family home that will stay put, and slate, metal and solar suit people who want a longer-lived or more specialized roof and can pay more.
What is the cheapest type of roof shingle?
3-tab asphalt. HomeAdvisor lists a starting price of $1.50 a square foot, against $3.50 for architectural.
What is the longest-lasting type of shingle?
Slate. HomeAdvisor gives 100 to 200 years and InterNACHI 60 to 150. Metal comes next, at 40 to 70 years per HomeAdvisor.
Are wood shingles allowed everywhere?
No. Fire rules and insurers' terms can differ for wood roofs. Check your state's rules and ask your insurer before you price one.
Where this information comes from
HomeAnvil does not yet publish price data of its own. Every figure on this page comes from the sources below, read on October 13, 2026. Costs are national ranges, not an estimate for your roof, and this is not legal, financial or insurance advice.
- HomeAdvisor, shingle roof replacement cost, updated June 17, 2026: starting prices by asphalt shingle type, lifespans and the labor share.
- HomeAdvisor, cedar and wood shakes, updated June 17, 2026; slate roof, updated June 19, 2026; metal roof, updated June 19, 2026; composite roofing, updated June 20, 2026. HomeAdvisor says its figures come from surveys of its customers and other published research.
- Fixr, solar shingles installation cost, updated January 30, 2026.
- InterNACHI, standard estimated life expectancy chart, and Mastering Roof Inspections, wood shakes and shingles, part 3: lifespans, slopes and wind resistance.
- Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, types of asphalt roofing: strip and laminated shingle definitions.
- CertainTeed product pages for XT 25, Landmark and Grand Manor: warranty terms and the impact rating. A maker is cited for its published terms, not as a recommendation.
- U.S. Department of Energy, summary of the building-integrated photovoltaics request for information: industry respondents' views on solar shingles, which are views, not DOE findings.
We will update this page when these sources publish new figures, and the date above will say when.
Related guides
Types of roofing materials, and how they compareRoofing materials compared: asphalt costs $3 to $7 a square foot installed and lasts 20 to 30 years; slate $15 to $30 and 60 to 150 years.
Are architectural shingles worth it over 3-tab shingles?Architectural shingles start near $3.50 a square foot against $1.50 for 3-tab, last about 30 years instead of 20, and carry longer warranties.
Asphalt vs fiberglass shingles: what's the difference?Fiberglass shingles are asphalt shingles. The old organic (felt) kind stopped being made around 2008, rated Class C for fire where fiberglass is usually Class A.
Is synthetic slate or shake roofing worth it?Synthetic slate costs $9 to $15 per square foot installed, against $10 to $30 for natural slate, and weighs about a third as much. Costs, lifespan and ratings.
How much does a cedar shake roof cost?A cedar shake roof typically costs $15,800 to $30,000, or $5.50 to $13.50 a square foot installed. Shakes vs shingles, upkeep, fire ratings and insurance.
How much does a slate roof cost?A slate roof typically costs $4,389 to $22,377, and natural slate $20 to $30 a square foot installed. Lifespan by grade, weight, and repair vs replace.- What is an asphalt shingle roof, and is it right for you?Asphalt shingles are the most common home roof. 3-tab starts near $1.50 a square foot, architectural near $3.50. Life, wind, hail and warranty compared.