At William Penn Roofing we know choosing the right roof for your home can be a tough decision and one you will be living with for the next 25-50 years, so its important to consider your options carefully.
Knowing your objectives when going into purchasing a new roof is key to making sure your satisfied in the end.
So what are your objectives? Are you looking for style points, pure functionality, or state of the art innovations? It is your choice and there are other factors that come into play however decide what your objectives are first so you don't get lost in the overwhelming selection of materials.
After determining your objective, it is now time to consider the style of your home and the budget you want to work with. We suggest choosing the style first since there are many budget-friendly options out there you may be able to find the style you want within your budget.
If you are having trouble deciding on a style here is a tip… Drive around and look at what comparable homes in your area chose for thier roof. Take a picture and show your roofing specialist, chances are he will know the style and color name of the shingles you are looking for.
Cost- Materials and current shape of your existing roof will determine most of the cost. If you need a new roof plus the decking (plywood) that will cost more than just the roofing materials. Even more costly is when the plywood is removed and rafters are also damaged and need replacing (see pics to side and below), so the shape of your current roof is also a determining factor. Obviously labor is also a part of the cost, the more labor intensive the application such as tiles or cedar shakes, the more your roofing costs will be and lets face it roofing is dangerous work you are working up high on a steep slope with heavy tools and materials. 
Materials- Things to keep in mind when choosing your roofing materials, we have created an abbreviated list of the many roofing options including average price per square (a square = 100 sq.ft. You can read more about different roofing terms here).
- Asphalt shingles are most common, versatile, and come in a variety of colors and styles, averaging around $50 a square. The more options you add to your asphalt shingles the more expensive they become but they are usually the most affordable option for homeowners.
- Slate shingles are very durable and very expensive typically around $800 a square although consider the age and style of your home as slate may not look right on your particular home.
- Metal roofing surfaces are also among the very durable and long lasting as they can last much longer than asphalt when installed properly. They are cheaper than slate however much more than asphalt leaving you at around $300 or more per square.
- Wood shakes last around the same length of time as asphalt shingles, probably a bit longer however usually costs an average of $400 per square.
- Tile shingles are very heavy, very durable, and very expensive. They are typically found in warmer climates that receive less rain because the rain actually erodes the tiles over time. Tiles are also known to keep your home cooler when the heat rises. Tiles are another option that is style specific so unless your home had tiles before you most likely won’t want to put tiles on as it may not go with the look of your home.
With the many new innovations on the market the selection for roofing materials can seem endless. In our area you cannot go wrong with asphalt shingles as they withstand the many different element types thrown at us season after season. Many manufacturers like GAF & Certainteed make look-alike asphalt shingles for both slate and cedar fans. PlyGem, another leading manufacturer also created an engineered slate that looks very much like real slate but substantially less money. GAF offers a Cool Series shingle which is Energy Star rated to help keep your home cooler in the summer months by reducing the temperature in your attic. The Cool Series may be an alternative to tiles since they offer similar functions.
To sum it all up…
- Determine your objectives.
- Choose your style.
- Work within your budget.
PLY GEM Engineered Slate
GAF Cool Series Shingles
GAF Lifetime High Definition Shingles
CERTAINTEED Grand Manor Shingles
