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Residential Roofing Types: A Complete Guide

Too Busy to Read? Here's the Oklahoma Winner:

For most Oklahoma homeownersClass 4 Architectural Shingles offer the best balance of cost, hail protection, and insurance savings (15–28% premium discounts). For homeowners who want lifetime durability and maximum energy savingsStanding Seam Metal Roofing is the #1 choice — with 40–70+ year lifespans and 20–40% cooling cost reductions.

When homeowners say “roof type,” they usually mean one of two things:

Roof Shape (Style)

The geometric form of your roof — gable, hip, gambrel, flat, etc. This is determined by your home's architecture and affects drainage, wind resistance, and attic space.

Roofing Material

What your roof is made of — asphalt shingles, metal panels, clay tile, slate, etc. This determines lifespan, cost, storm performance, and energy efficiency.

Both matter when choosing a new roof. Your roof’s shape affects which materials work best, and your material choice affects long-term cost and maintenance. This guide covers both.

Gable Roofs

The classic triangular shape you see on most American homes. Two sloping sides meet at a peak, forming an “A” shape.

Pros

Cons

Best for

Most Oklahoma homes — ideal for neighborhoods across Edmond, Norman, and Moore where moderate winds and heavy rain are common.

Hip Roofs

All four sides slope downward toward the walls, creating a more stable structure. No flat gable ends exposed to wind.

Pros

Cons

Best for

Oklahoma homeowners in high-wind zones. Popular in Yukon, Mustang, and newer OKC subdivisions built to modern wind codes.

Gambrel & Mansard Roofs

Gambrel roofs have two slopes on each side (like a barn), while mansard roofs have four double-sloped sides. Both maximize upper-floor living space.

Pros

Cons

Best for

Homeowners wanting a colonial or French-inspired look. Less common in Oklahoma but found in upscale neighborhoods and custom builds.
roofing guide hail comparison

70+ MPH Straight-Line Winds

Standing Seam Metal
Hip-roof + Architectural Shingles
Unsealed 3-Tab, Wood Shake

Golf-Ball Sized Hail (1.75"+)

Class 4 IR Shingles, Standing Seam Metal
Stone-Coated Steel
3-Tab Asphalt, Clay Tile, Wood

105°F+ Summer Heat

Metal (reflects 40%+ solar heat), TPO
Cool-Roof Shingles, Tile
Dark 3-Tab Asphalt, EPDM

Ice Storms & Freeze-Thaw

Metal (sheds ice), Synthetic Slate
Architectural Shingles w/ ice barrier
Flat roofs w/o drainage, Wood Shake

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

3-Tab, Architectural & Designer Shingles

Asphalt shingles cover roughly 80% of American homes — and even more in Oklahoma. They come in three tiers:

3-Tab Shingles

Flat, uniform look. Lightest and most affordable. Typical lifespan: 15–20 years.

Architectural (Dimensional)

Layered, textured appearance with better wind ratings. Lifespan: 25–30 years. The most popular choice in OKC.

Designer/Luxury

Mimic slate or cedar shake. Heaviest-duty wind and impact ratings. Lifespan: 30+ years.

Lifespan

15–30+ years

Curb Appeal

Good

Cost

$

Storm Performance

Good–Excellent (Class 4 impact-rated options available)

Maintenance

Low

Energy Efficiency

Moderate (cool-roof shingles available)

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

In Oklahoma, we recommend architectural shingles with Class 4 impact ratings. Many insurers offer 15–28% premium discounts for impact-resistant shingles — a real money-saver in our hail-prone climate.

Metal Roofing

Standing Seam, Stone-Coated Steel & Corrugated Panels

Metal roofing has surged in popularity across Oklahoma thanks to its durability in severe weather. Three main profiles dominate the residential market:

Standing Seam

Raised interlocking seams. Premium look, maximum weather protection. Most popular for modern homes.

Stone-Coated Steel

Metal panels coated with stone granules to mimic traditional shingles or tile. Combines metal durability with classic aesthetics.

Corrugated Panels

Wavy or ribbed panels. Most affordable metal option. Common on farmhouses and agricultural-style homes.

Lifespan

40–70+ years

Curb Appeal

Excellent

Cost

$$–$$$

Storm Performance

Excellent (up to 140+ mph wind ratings)

Maintenance

Very Low

Energy Efficiency

Excellent (reflects solar heat, reducing cooling costs 20–40%)

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

Oklahoma's intense summer heat makes metal roofing especially smart. The reflective surface can reduce attic temperatures by 30–40°F, cutting cooling bills significantly. Standing seam is the premium choice; stone-coated steel is ideal for homeowners who want metal performance with a traditional shingle look.

Tile Roofing

Clay & Concrete Tiles

Tile roofs offer a distinctive Mediterranean, Spanish, or Southwestern aesthetic. They’re extremely long-lasting but come with important structural considerations.

Clay Tiles

Natural clay fired at high temperatures. Classic terracotta look. Extremely durable but heavy.

Concrete Tiles

Molded concrete that can mimic clay, slate, or wood shake. More affordable than clay with similar longevity.

Lifespan

50–100+ years

Curb Appeal

Excellent

Cost

$$$

Storm Performance

Good (excellent wind resistance, but tiles can crack from direct hail impact)

Maintenance

Low (individual tiles replaceable)

Energy Efficiency

Excellent (natural thermal mass regulates temperature)

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

Tile roofing is less common in the OKC metro area but is found in upscale custom homes. If you're considering tile, confirm your home's structure can support the weight (often 2–3x heavier than asphalt).

Slate & Synthetic Slate

Natural Stone & Engineered Alternatives

True slate is the pinnacle of roofing — a natural stone that can last over a century. Synthetic slate offers a similar look at a fraction of the weight and cost.

Natural Slate

Quarried stone tiles. Unmatched beauty and 100+ year lifespan. Extremely heavy and expensive.

Synthetic Slate

Engineered from rubber, plastic, or polymer composites. Mimics the look of real slate at 25–50% of the weight and cost.

Lifespan

50–100+ years (natural) / 30–50 years (synthetic)

Curb Appeal

Premium

Cost

$$$–$$$$

Storm Performance

Good–Excellent

Maintenance

Very Low

Energy Efficiency

Good

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

For Oklahoma homeowners who love the slate look, synthetic slate is the practical choice. It handles our hail and wind conditions better than natural slate and doesn't require the structural overhaul.

Wood Shingles & Shakes

Cedar, Redwood & Treated Wood

Wood roofing offers a warm, natural aesthetic that ages to a beautiful silver-gray patina. Cedar is the most common species used.

Wood Shingles

Machine-cut for a smooth, uniform appearance. Thinner than shakes.

Wood Shakes

Hand-split for a rough, rustic texture. Thicker and more weather-resistant than shingles.

Lifespan

20–40 years

Curb Appeal

Excellent

Cost

$$$–$$$$

Storm Performance

Moderate

Maintenance

High

Energy Efficiency

Good (natural insulation properties)

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

Wood roofing is uncommon in Oklahoma due to our humidity, hail risk, and fire codes in many municipalities. If you love the wood look, consider stone-coated metal or designer asphalt shingles that mimic cedar shake.

Flat Roof Materials

TPO, EPDM & Modified Bitumen

Even if your home has a pitched roof, you may have flat or low-slope sections over porches, additions, garages, or sunrooms. Here are the three main options:

TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin)

White reflective membrane. Energy-efficient and increasingly popular. Good for hot climates.

EPDM (Rubber Roofing)

Black synthetic rubber membrane. Proven track record, easy repairs. Most affordable flat roof option.

Modified Bitumen

Asphalt-based rolled roofing with added polymers. Torch-applied or self-adhering. Good puncture resistance.

Lifespan

15–30 years

Curb Appeal

N/A (not visible on most homes)

Cost

$–$$

Storm Performance

Good (wind-resistant when properly adhered)

Maintenance

Moderate

Energy Efficiency

Good–Excellent (especially TPO)

Pros

Cons

🏠 Oklahoma Homeowner Note

In Oklahoma, we see flat roof sections most often on mid-century homes and newer additions. TPO is our top recommendation for its heat reflectivity in our brutal summers. Make sure your flat sections have proper drainage to handle our heavy spring rains.

roofing guide tesla solar
Tesla Solar Roof isn’t just solar panels bolted to your existing roof — it is the roof. Tempered glass tiles generate electricity while providing the same weather protection as premium roofing. OKC Roofers is the Tesla Certified Installer for the Oklahoma City metro area.

Generate Power

Offset 70–100% of your electric bill with Oklahoma's 230+ sunny days/year

Class 3 Hail Rating

Tempered glass tiles rated for 1.75" hail — built for Oklahoma storms

30% Federal Tax Credit

The ITC covers both the solar tiles and the non-solar portion of the roof

Why Oklahoma Homeowners Are Choosing Tesla Solar Roof

What to Know Before You Commit

roofing-guide-class4-stamp
roofing guide materials
Roof Material Typical Premium Discount Notes
Class 4 Impact-Rated Shingles 15–28% Most Oklahoma insurers offer this. Pays for itself in 3–5 years.
Standing Seam Metal Roofing 10–35% Varies by carrier. Superior hail and wind performance drives savings.
Stone-Coated Steel 10–25% Qualifies for impact-resistant discounts with most carriers.
New Roof (any code-compliant material) 5–15% Simply replacing an aging roof can lower premiums, especially post-claim.

Pro Tip: After any hail claim, ask your insurance agent about impact-resistant roofing credits before choosing your replacement material. We help Oklahoma homeowners navigate this process every day — learn more about our insurance claims process.

Material Lifespan Cost Maintenance Curb Appeal Storm Energy
Asphalt (3-Tab) 15–20 yrs $ Low Fair Fair Moderate
Asphalt (Architectural) 25–30 yrs $–$$ Low Good Good Moderate
Metal (Standing Seam) 40–70 yrs $$$ Very Low Excellent Excellent Excellent
Metal (Stone-Coated) 40–60 yrs $$–$$$ Low Excellent Excellent Very Good
Clay/Concrete Tile 50–100 yrs $$$ Low Excellent Good Excellent
Natural Slate 75–100+ yrs $$$$ Very Low Premium Good Good
Synthetic Slate 30–50 yrs $$–$$$ Low Excellent Very Good Good
Wood Shake 20–40 yrs $$–$$$ High Excellent Moderate Good
Tesla Solar Roof 25–30+ yrs $$$$ Very Low Premium Excellent Generates Power
TPO (Flat) 20–30 yrs $–$$ Moderate N/A Good Excellent
EPDM (Flat) 15–25 yrs $ Moderate N/A Good Moderate

Climate & Weather

Oklahoma's hail, tornadoes, extreme heat, and ice storms demand impact-rated materials. Metal and Class 4 shingles are the strongest performers in our climate.

Budget & Ownership Timeline

Planning to stay 20+ years? Metal or tile's higher upfront cost pays off. Selling in 5–10 years? Architectural shingles deliver the best value and curb appeal per dollar.

HOA & Architectural Style

Check your HOA covenants before choosing. Stone-coated metal and architectural shingles satisfy most HOA requirements while upgrading performance.

Energy Efficiency & Comfort

Oklahoma summers push cooling bills high. Metal roofing and TPO flat roof membranes reflect solar heat most effectively, reducing attic temperatures 30–40°F.

Not sure which roof type fits your home?

Send us a photo and we'll tell you what you have and what your options are — free, no obligation. Or compare estimates you've already received.