The Best Roof Shingles for Your Home (2023)

Shingles are one of the most popular roof types, and you can choose from many different designs, materials, and styles. We’ve used our roofing expertise to detail the pros and cons of each shingle type, and to recommend the best shingle brands to shop from. Whether you’re installing a new roof or undergoing roof replacement, here’s what to know.

These are the most important factors to consider when searching for the best roof shingle for your home.

Material

Shingle material has the biggest impact on your roof’s cost and performance. We’ve compiled the pros and cons of each available material, along with their average costs.*

• Asphalt shingles ($2.08–$3.56 per square foot): Asphalt shingle roofs are affordable and widely available. They have an average life span of 10 years and come in various styles. You can choose composite materials, such as fiberglass, for increased durability and energy efficiency.
• Composite ($7.50–$13 per square foot): Composite shingles, also called synthetic shingles, are made from a mixture of fiberglass, recycled paper products, and asphalt. They’re fire- and moisture-resistant and typically last 50 years.
• Metal ($8–$12.65 per square foot): Metal shingles are made from various metals, such as aluminum or steel. Many metal shingle roofs use 100% recyclable materials and are Energy Star-certified, meaning they help reduce your energy bills. Metal roofs last 40–80 years.
• Slate ($12–$22 per square foot): Slate is an incredibly durable roofing material, often lasting more than 100 years. Slate roofs are made of natural rock cut into shingles. This material is heavy, so you may have to pay to install additional structural support. However, a beautiful natural stone roof adds tons of curb appeal.
• Solar ($20–$30 per square foot): Solar shingles are a newer type of shingle roof. These shingles act like mini solar panels, absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity for your home. Solar shingles resemble standard asphalt shingles but vary in composition. They’re made of thin layers of photovoltaic (PV) sheets that cover a glass base. They can either cover your existing roof or replace it. Like standard roof shingles, solar shingles are designed to withstand the elements, including heavy rain, wind, and hail.
• Wood ($8–$14.30 per square foot): A basic wooden shingle is made from split logs. These shingles provide a smooth, uniform look and last up to 50 years. You can also opt for wood shakes, which act like shingles but look more rustic and natural.

*Cost figures in this article are based on 2023 reports from multiple home improvement sites, including Roofing Calculator and Remodeling Calculator.

Color

Shingle color affects your home’s overall appearance. Darker shades, such as black and gray, can make objects appear smaller and more compact. Lighter colors make objects look more prominent and closer, so white or lighter-colored shingles can make a small home look bigger. White roofs are also called cool roofs because they reflect heat away from your home. 

Consider your home’s other exterior elements, such as the siding, when choosing a shingle color. We recommend picking a color that contrasts with your other exterior elements for the most striking look.

Style

Asphalt shingles come in three styles. Each style affects the roof’s performance and installation cost. We’ve detailed the types of asphalt shingles below:

• Three-tab shingles ($4.25–$8.25 per square foot): Three-tab asphalt shingles are the most popular style. They’re inexpensive, durable, and easy to maintain, lasting 15–20 years. They come in standard colors such as gray, brown, and black. 
• Architectural shingles ($4.50–$12.25 per square foot): Architectural shingles have a heavy fiberglass base covered by ceramic-coated mineral granules. These shingles are higher quality and more water-resistant than basic asphalt shingles, resulting in a longer life span of 20–30 years. 
• Luxury shingles ($6–$11.45 per square foot): Luxury shingles are also called designer shingles or premium asphalt shingles. They’re the largest of the three styles and mimic the appearance of clay or concrete. They’re slightly more expensive than a basic, three-tab asphalt shingle, but they’re more weather-resistant and last up to 30 years.

A shingle roof costs an average of $8,500–$20,500 for a 2,000-square-foot home. However, shingle roof installation can range from as low as $5,000 to as high as $40,000. These prices apply to asphalt shingles, the cheapest option. Other materials cost more, as listed above.

We evaluated national shingle brands based on important factors such as product selection, customer support, warranties, and more. We determined the following to be the best roof shingle brands based on our research:

• GAF
• IKO
• Owens Corning 

GAF

GAF offers multiple shingle styles, whether you want a historic appearance or something more modern. We also like that it includes a limited lifetime warranty for all of its shingles. You can find GAF shingles at popular retailers, such as The Home Depot. The company’s website has a tool to connect you with installers certified for GAF roofing products. 

Our Recommended Shingle

We recommend GAF’s Timberline HDZ shingles. This line includes high-quality fiberglass architectural shingles that mimic the appearance of wooden shakes. The shingles come with a 15-Year WindProven Limited Wind Warranty and 25-Year StainGuard Plus Algae Protection Limited Warranty. 

Shingle roofs—particularly those that are light-colored—are prone to algae, or the black, mold-like streaks you may have noticed on roofs. These shingles use algae-resisting technology to look better for longer and a patented LayerLock technology that creates a sturdier roofing system.

IKO

IKO laminates its shingles to increase durability and weather resistance. The company offers four shingle collections to match various home styles, including colonial and contemporary styles. Like GAF, the company offers in-house certification for roofers to ensure you get the best installation quality. 

Our Recommended Shingle

We recommend IKO’s Crowne Slate collection for a luxury asphalt shingle roof. This line replicates the look of natural slate tiles but is as low-maintenance and affordable as asphalt. IKO’s Crowne Slate shingles qualify for a Class 4 Impact Resistance rating, meaning they may help reduce your home insurance premium, depending on your policy. 

Owens Corning

Owens Corning is another popular shingle manufacturer that you’ll find at big-box retailers such as Lowe’s. The company produces high-end shingles with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness. Ethisphere, an organization that helps define the standards of ethical business practices, placed Owens Corning on its 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies list. The roofing manufacturer is also known to work around solar panels. 

Our Recommended Shingle

We recommend Owens Corning’s three-tab Supreme shingle collection. These asphalt shingles use copper-lined granules to make them more algae-resistant and protect against strong winds. They come in 11 colors, including unique options such as desert tan and chateau green. They also include a 25-year limited warranty.

The best roof shingle depends on your home’s style, roof layout, and local weather conditions. Most homeowners use asphalt shingles because they’re affordable, accessible, and versatile. We recommend consulting a professional roofer to determine which roofing option best matches your needs and budget. Use our tool below to connect with residential roofing contractors near you.