10 New Roofing Products to Spruce Up Home Exteriors

This article first appeared in the February 2020 issue of Pro Builder.

Roofing materials continue to evolve, offering greater durability, advances in ease of installation, and more color and finish options to boost curb appeal and please consumers.

10 of the Latest Roofing Products to Hit the Market

Metal Panels

Pac-Clad’s Snap-Clad 24-gauge panels (shown, above) offer continuous interlocking for improved structural performance and wind resistance, the company says. A concealed-fastener clip system allows for the roofing material's thermal expansion/contraction and helps to hold down the roof in strong winds. Panels are available with a Kynar 70% PVDF finish in 45 standard colors. Measuring up to 64 feet long, the panels shown below are used in a standing-seam application.

Synthetic Shingles

The Nature Crafted Collection of synthetic shake shingles from DaVinci Roofscapes is available in three natural wood looks, including Aged Cedar, Mossy Cedar, and Black Oak. The shingles offer the look of real cedar with the maintenance benefits of a composite material that won’t split, curl, or fade, the company says.

DaVinci Roofscapes Nature Crafted Collection

Zinc Roofing

Rheinzink America’s architectural-grade zinc cladding—Classic, PrePatina, and ArtColor lines—can be used on residential roofs and walls. Roofing options also include panels and standing-seam (pictured below on sloping sections). The products resist weathering and corrosion, the company says, and are self-healing and potentially last 100 years or more.

Rheinzink America’s architectural-grade zinc cladding for roofs, showing standing seam

Two-Piece Shingles

Cambridge architectural shingles from IKO feature a laminated two-piece design that provides more depth, dimension, and variation for residential roofing to achieve a wood-shake look, the company says. (Shown in Dual Black.) A nail line printed on the shingles helps ensure proper installation. Other features: algae-resistant granules, Fastlock sealant on bottom edges to protect against wind uplift, and a heavy-duty fiberglass mat.

Cambridge architectural shingles from IKO for roofs

Concrete Roof Tile

Boral’s Texas Vista Collection of residential roofing products is a line of concrete roof tile available in shades that harmonize with the state’s architectural styles. The product is made from locally sourced, naturally occurring geological material and is durable, lasting, and low maintenance, the company says. The new suite is available in two of the brand’s most popular tile styles in the region: Saxony Country Slate and Shake. Shades include Charcoal Brown Blend, Chestnut Burnt, Dark Bordeaux, Weathered Greige, and Weathered Cedar (shown).

Porcelain Roof Tile

The ceramic tile manufacturer Daltile has expanded its residential roofing products offerings with Perennial Porcelain Roofing. The company says Perennial offers the same look as other high-end materials but at a lower price point. Using digital printing technology, Daltile creates colors, designs, and details that replicate the real thing (such as slate, shown). Made from porcelain, the tiles are frost-resistant, impervious to water, and offer a 110 mph wind rating.

Slate-Look Metal for Roofing

Generations Slate metal roofing from EDCO Products combines the brand’s ArrowLine panel with high-definition coating technology to produce a slate appearance. Offering the strength of steel, with a multilayer PVDF “cool chemistry” finish, the residential roofing product can reduce energy bills and does not support mold and algae growth, the manufacturer says. Generations Slate launches in early 2020 and will be available in four colors.

High-Def Roof Shingles

GAF’s Timberline Ultra HD line is 53% thicker than standard architectural shingles and features a dual shadow effect to achieve the look of real wood shakes. The shingles feature StainGuard Plus time-release technology, which fights algae staining, and Dura Grip adhesive to reduce the risk of blow-off. A range of colors is available (shown: Barkwood).

GAF Timberline Ultra HD line of roof shingles

Asphalt Roof Shingles

With its blended coloration, Belmont asphalt roofing from CertainTeed is designed to replicate the look of natural slate. The shingle’s layered construction is reinforced with a fiberglass base mat for longevity and aesthetics. It has a Class A fire rating and 110 mph wind resistance. Class IV impact-resistant options are also available.

Zero-Waste Roof Shingles

To deliver more coverage, Atlas Roofing’s HP42" roofing shingle is 42 inches wide with an enhanced 6-inch exposure. This format uses a seven-course, zero-waste offset installation, so installers can run seven courses down the roof before having to reset, cutting up to 4 labor hours off a typical job, the company says.