Nine out of ten roofs we install in Chicagoland and Atlanta are architectural asphalt shingles. The other ten percent break out between DaVinci synthetic shake, slate, clay tile, and the occasional metal panel. Here is the honest breakdown of why we recommend what we do.
Architectural asphalt shingles (GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark). These are the workhorse of the industry. Three-tab is dead — most insurance policies now only cover architectural-grade replacement. Cost runs $4-6 per square foot installed depending on geometry. Manufacturer warranty: 25 years on the material, lifetime non-prorated on labor for top-tier products. Insurance treatment: universally accepted, claim-friendly. Curb appeal: dimensional, looks like wood shake at a distance. Recommended for: the vast majority of homes under $1.5M in our markets.
DaVinci synthetic shake and slate. This is engineered polymer that looks like cedar shake or slate at a distance you cannot tell from real cedar — and from up close, the texture is genuinely impressive. Class A fire rating, Class 4 impact (the highest), 50-year warranty. Cost: 2-3x architectural asphalt installed. Insurance treatment: covered like-for-like — if your old roof was synthetic, the claim pays for synthetic replacement. Recommended for: homes with HOA covenants that require shake or slate appearance, historic homes, or homeowners who plan to stay in the home long enough to justify the upfront premium.
Real slate. True natural slate tile installs are rare in our markets, but we do them when called for. Cost: 4-6x architectural asphalt installed. Lifespan: 75-150 years when installed correctly. Weight: 800-1500 pounds per square (compared to 250-300 for asphalt) — many homes need structural reinforcement before slate can be installed. Insurance treatment: insurers ask for documented historical use. Recommended for: historic homes where authenticity matters more than budget, or replacement on an existing slate roof.
Our default recommendation: architectural asphalt from GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed, with the specific product depending on what the manufacturer warranty maps best to your home's geometry. We install all three brands. We have no kickback or preference among them.
If you want something different — DaVinci, slate, clay tile, or even standing-seam metal — we install all of those too. The conversation starts with an inspection and a written scope. No upsells, no surprises.
