There are several approaches to roofing design that are rising in popularity. We will walk you through what the new trends are, their pros and cons, and a rough estimate of each style’s cost.

Roofing Materials & Roofing Design

The two types of roofing materials that are popular, and likely always will be, are asphalt shingles and metal roofs.

ROOFING DESIGN

• • Flat Roofs: A major 2022 roofing trend is called the ‘flat roof.’ Homeowners are opting for a‘less is more’ look and feel and flat roofs do just that. This roof style, also called low-slope roofs, offers clean, modern, and simple rooflines. This type of roofing is less costly, and because it lacks the details of traditional roofs, has a more efficient and timely installation process. In addition to their modern look and affordability, flat roofs offer the perfect space for installing solar panels as well.

Other common roof styles include:

• • Cathedral Ceiling: A roof without an attic.
  • Gable Roof: A roof with an attic that has two sections whose upper horizontal edges meet to form its ridges.
  • Gambrel Roof: Also known as Mansard roof. Symmetrical two-sided with two slopes on each side.
  • Asymmetrical Roof: Roof with asymmetrical slopes.

ROOFING MATERIALS

• • Asphalt Roofing: Asphalt shingles are a classic when it comes to roofing. This option is affordable and dependable with a lifespan that can last up to decades-long. Asphalt shingling has the most color options too– you just can’t go wrong with asphalt as your choice.

• • Metal Roofing: Metal roofs are another trending roof option. Like asphalt roofing, metal is sure to provide long-lasting protection for your home. Some suppliers even offer metal roofing made from recycled materials, as a more eco-friendly option!

• • Mixed Materials: Alternating both metal and asphalt shingles on your roof is yet another way to protect your home with a bit of style. Mixed material roofing will give you the best bang for your buck– some homeowners even install mixed roofing on the front of their home and use asphalt shingles in the back and less visible sides.

Choosing the Color of Your Roof

Roofing is no longer tucked up and away out of sight– it is now a key way to add color and style to your home. Enter: contrasting color roofing. This means if your home has light siding, you should choose darker roofing and vice versa. Manufacturers are rolling out with a wider variety of color options to stay abreast of this trend, and you should expect to find a broader spectrum of color choices in either asphalt shingles or metal roofing materials. Check out our style guide if you want to learn more about finding the right color and style of roofing for your home.

SUSTAINABLE ROOFING OPTIONS

If sustainability is your priority, these roofing trends are the way to go– no matter the size of your budget.

• • Solar Panels: Installing solar panels can reduce a homeowner’s carbon footprint and their electricity bill too! These come in the classic, large panel style which rests atop your pre-existing roofing, and also in photovoltaic shingles. Photovoltaic shingles play a dual role when it comes to roofing: they generate energy by absorbing sunlight, and they protect your home too. From afar, they appear to be regular roof shingles, but at a closer glance, they are so much more.

• • Green Roofs: Another style of sustainable roofing is called a green roof, or may also be known as a garden roof. This type of roofing allows for plants to grow and cover their entire top.  of the building. The plants absorb the sun’s heat, keeping your home cool, and take in rainwater too, alleviating the amount of runoff water in your home’s drain pipes. The two types of green roofs are extensive and intensive. Intensive green roofs are essentially a rooftop garden or park, that require regular maintenance, and a much stronger structure to support deeper soil and larger root systems. Extensive green roofs are less heavy, less maintenance, and less expensive to install than an intensive green roof. Because this type of green roof uses thinner growing plants, it’s more likely the better fit for roofing on a residential home.

Roofing Costs

	Material cost (per square foot)	Installation cost	Total cost
Photovoltaic Tiles	$4 – $10	$4.50 – $11	$8.50 – $22
Extensive Green Roofs	$10 – $30	$10 – $20	$20 – $50
Metal Roofs	$3.50 – $7.50	$4.50 – $11	$8.50 – $18.50
Asphalt Shingles	$1.25 – $3.50	$3– $4	$4.25 – $7.50

The cost of your roofing will vary depending on a variety of factors including the size of your home, the installation process, and the suppliers and contractors you choose to work with too. But with a little research, it’s easy enough to get an idea of how much you might expect to spend on each type of roofing.