What Kind of Roofing Material Is Best?

Mar 17, 2025

If you are thinking of placing a roof on your new home or replacing the current material, you must consider the weather conditions in Minnesota. These weather conditions vary, and the prevailing weather conditions in Minnesota are hot, cold, wet, humid, and even dry weather.

This means, you need to purchase a roofing material that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions. Besides being made to withstand various weather conditions, suitable materials make homes and business offices look more attractive as well.

These materials come in various forms, and you need to know how to select the most suitable one for your homes and businesses. In this article, we will talk about the different types of materials available and the differences.

Types of Roofing Materials

Below are four excellent materials you should consider using in your home and offices.

1. Asphalt shingles

Asphalt shingles are the standard roofing material for all conditions and locations. Thus, this makes it to be one of the most widely used in the whole of North America.

Pros

  • It comes with a long-term warranty of between 20-30 years
  • It is easy to replace broken or damaged individual shingles
  • It contains elements like limestone and fiberglass, which makes it stronger
  • Easy for contractors to install
  • It is capable of coping with the various climatic conditions in Minnesota

Cons

  • The shingles have the shortest lifespan out of the four materials
  • You may find asphalt granules in your gutters or at the bottom of your downspout

2. Cedar

Cedar roofing (whether shingles or shakes) is a beautiful and energy-efficient roofing material you should consider when purchasing or replacing the existing one. Besides being attractive, cedars are resistant to winds, heavy rains, bugs, and storms.

Pros

  • It is environmentally friendly
  • It helps save money that should have been spent on energy bills
  • They are beautiful due to the natural beauty of the cedar itself
  • It works well for all climatic conditions
  • Cedar roofs last longer than shingle roofs if up-kept

Cons 

  • It is fairly costly to install
  • It is expensive to maintain

3. Slate

The slate roof is a high-quality material that has been used by homeowners and contractors for decades, although it comes at a high price.

Pros 

  • It is one of the most durable materials for a roof
  • It comes in various options that will suit your taste
  • The design is oftentimes second to none

Cons 

  • It is one of the costliest roofing materials
  • It might be too hefty for some building structures
  • It is not suitable for all home structures

4. Metal Roofing

Metal is another material that is gaining popularity in Minnesota for several reasons. One is that metal roofs require little maintenance, last longer, and help conserve energy.

Pros 

  • Metal roofs offer longevity to home & business owners
  • They are impact resistant (based on the type your contractor purchases)
  • They do not require periodic maintenance, which can be costly
  • It is environmentally friendly

Cons 

  • They can be expensive to purchase
  • They can be noisy during a rainfall or hailstorm
  • It is difficult to replace a damaged part as you might not easily find the exact type of metal material.
  • There is the possibility of it rusting depending on the weather & installation process

Other types of materials you can opt to include;

  • Wood
  • Clay tile
  • Concrete
  • Asphalt etc.

Twin Cities’ Trusted Roofing Contractor

At A-1 Restoration, we have a team of experienced personnel who constantly help homeowners with roof repairs, replacement, and installation needs.

Are you bothered about getting or repairing your roofing material in the Twin Cities west metro area? Then, contact the professionals at A-1 Restoration, and you can rest assured you will have no reason to bother anymore about buying or repairing your roof.

 We found Gus and A-1 on the Better Bureau website. They responded quickly to our request for a bid and were very thorough in the explanation of their process and products. After getting bids from multiple companies, we chose A-1 for their professionalism and attention to our questions. Gus worked well with our insurance company and kept us informed. He was very helpful and patient with us as we picked out shingles and gutters. He kept us updated on schedules and set up a great team to complete our work. He came to our house as they worked and when they were done. He completed the inside work on our skylight himself and his gutter guy was amazing! 
 Our experience with Gus Pierce and A-1 Restoration was absolutely awesome! Not only was Gus persistent in dealing with our insurance company, but he did a great job in helping us select the replacement materials and he did a great job in arranging for and supervising the work crews. The work crews were hardworking, efficient and careful. They did an excellent job. We are very happy with the work! We highly recommend Gus and A-1 Restoration. 
 I highly recommend Gus and the A-1 Restoration team. They are true professionals. Gus was instrumental in working with our insurance company and helping us choose the best options for our new roof and windows. Every step of the way Gus communicated with us and the process was smooth. Our house looks great. Thank you Gus and Team. 
 Gus and his team did a fantastic job on my roof and gutter project. When the hail came through, we knew we’d have storm chasers knocking on our door but I already knew who I was calling. I was calling A-1 Restoration because of their local reputation and outstanding customer service. Can’t recommend these guys enough! 
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