Roof types
Roofing materials compared
What each roof costs installed, how long it lasts through Lower Mainland rain, moss and the odd windstorm, and what it costs to keep up. Click any type for the full picture.
| Roof type | Installed | Lifespan here | Upkeep | 2,000 sq ft budget* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $5.50 to $9.50 per sq ft | About 20 to 30 years | Low to moderate Moss treatment every few years on shaded slopes | $11,000 to $19,000 |
| Metal roofing | $8 to $28 per sq ft | About 40 to 60 years | Low Occasional fastener and sealant checks; rinse off debris | $26,000 to $44,000 |
| ↳ Standing seam metal roofing | $13 to $22 per sq ft (steel) | About 50 years or more | Very low Rinse debris from valleys; check sealants at penetrations every few years | $26,000 to $44,000 |
| Cedar shakes and shingles | $12 to $22 per sq ft | About 20 to 30 years here | High Moss and debris removal every year or two, treatment, replacing split shakes | $24,000 to $44,000 |
| Flat and low-slope roofing | $7 to $16 per sq ft | About 15 to 30 years depending on the membrane | Moderate Twice-yearly drain clearing and a look at the seams and flashing | $18,000 to $32,000 |
| Tile, slate and synthetic | $12 to $22 per sq ft (synthetic) | About 50 years for synthetic and concrete tile, longer for slate | Low Occasional cleaning; replacing cracked tiles | $24,000 to $44,000 |
*Rough budget: 2,000 sq ft of roof at the installed price. Before tear-off extras, plywood repairs, skylights, permits and GST. Steep, cut-up or hard-to-reach roofs cost more. Prices from October 2026 quotes published by Lower Mainland roofers.
Asphalt shingles
The Lower Mainland default: architectural (laminated) shingles from IKO, GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey or BP, in a 25 to 30 year roof.
Asphalt shingles details →Metal roofing
Standing seam, metal shingles or ribbed panels in steel or aluminum: two to three times the price of shingles up front, and a roof you install once.
Metal roofing details →Cedar shakes and shingles
The classic West Coast roof, now mostly being replaced: beautiful, expensive, and 20 to 30 years in our climate even with good care.
Cedar shakes and shingles details →Flat and low-slope roofing
Torch-on SBS, TPO and EPDM membranes for flat and low-slope roofs on houses, additions, garages, strata and commercial buildings.
Flat and low-slope roofing details →Tile, slate and synthetic
Concrete and clay tile, natural slate, and the synthetic shakes and slates (Brava, Euroshield, DaVinci, Enviroshake) that copy them at a fraction of the weight.
Tile, slate and synthetic details →Questions
Roofing material questions
Which roof lasts longest in the Lower Mainland?
Metal and synthetic slates and shakes, at 40 to 60 years, with slate and some tile longer where the structure allows. Architectural shingles typically last 20 to 30 years here, cedar shakes 20 to 30, and flat membranes 15 to 30 depending on type and drainage.
Is metal worth two to three times the price of shingles?
If you plan to stay 15 years or more, usually yes: one metal roof outlasts two or three shingle roofs, sheds moss and snow, and carries a Class A fire rating. If you may sell within a decade, architectural shingles are the sensible spend.
What's the cheapest roof?
Architectural asphalt shingles, at about $5.50 to $9.50 per square foot installed. Three-tab shingles are cheaper still but rarely installed now because they don't last.
Not sure which roof suits your house?
Roofers can recommend the right one for your pitch, exposure, budget and how long you'll stay. Compare up to 3 quotes.