Choosing the right roofing material affects your home's protection, energy costs, and value for decades. After installing roofs across Ohio for 25 years and serving Farmington Hills for the past three years, we've seen how different materials perform in Midwest weather conditions. Each roofing material has distinct advantages depending on your home's architecture, budget, and local climate demands.

What you'll discover in this guide:

What Is the Best Material for a Residential Roof?

Atlas architectural shingles consistently prove to be the best roofing material for most residential applications in our service areas. These asphalt roofing materials offer the ideal balance of performance, cost, and aesthetic appeal that homeowners need.

We primarily install two Atlas products that excel in Ohio and Michigan's challenging weather patterns: Stormmaster Shake and Pinnacle Pristine. Both architectural shingle lines provide:

  • Superior wind resistance compared to basic three-tab options

  • Advanced granule technology that protects against UV damage and algae growth

  • Proven longevity - we've observed these materials maintaining their appearance and integrity for decades when properly installed

The cost-effectiveness of asphalt roofing material makes it accessible for most homeowners. While premium metal roofing material costs significantly more upfront, Atlas shingles deliver excellent value with proper installation and our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty. The variety of colors and styles allows these roofing materials to complement any architectural design.

For residential roofing material selection, Atlas shingles handle temperature fluctuations exceptionally well. The materials expand and contract appropriately during seasonal changes without cracking or splitting. This durability stems from the quality manufacturing process and materials engineering that Atlas employs.

What Is the Best Metal Roofing Material?

Unified Steel represents the best metal roofing material we install for homeowners seeking premium longevity and energy efficiency. This metal roofing material system offers distinct advantages over traditional asphalt roofing materials in specific applications.

Key benefits of Unified Steel:

  • Energy efficiency - Reflective properties reduce cooling costs during hot summers

  • Exceptional longevity - Can last 50+ years with minimal maintenance

  • Superior weather resistance - Handles high winds, hail, and heavy snow loads better than most other roofing materials

  • Interlocking panel design creates a watertight barrier that performs consistently across decades

However, metal roofing material requires careful consideration of your home's architecture and neighborhood aesthetics. While Unified Steel offers various profiles and colors, the material works best with contemporary or traditional farmhouse designs. The initial investment for metal roofing material is higher, but the extended lifespan often justifies the cost for the right application.

We focus exclusively on Unified Steel panel systems rather than standing seam metal roofing. While standing seam has its place in certain applications, our decades of experience have proven that panel systems deliver superior performance for residential applications while aligning perfectly with our proven installation methods that consistently exceed industry standards.

What Is the Best Material for a Flat Roof?

TPO and EPDM represent the best roofing materials for flat roof applications, whether for commercial buildings or residential uses. While flat roofing primarily serves commercial applications, modern residential homes increasingly incorporate flat roof sections for additions, covered patios, and contemporary architectural designs.

TPO roofing material provides:

  • Excellent energy efficiency through its reflective white surface

  • Superior climate performance in our region, resisting UV damage

  • Maintained flexibility through temperature changes

  • Heat-welded seams that create a monolithic water barrier

EPDM roofing material offers:

  • Proven durability for flat roof applications

  • Synthetic rubber construction that handles extreme temperature variations

  • Ideal performance for residential flat roof sections like covered porches or modern home additions

For homeowners considering flat roofing material, proper drainage design becomes critical. Unlike sloped roofing materials that naturally shed water, flat roof material systems require engineered drainage solutions. We design these systems to handle Ohio and Michigan's heavy precipitation and snow loads.

Flat residential roof applications often include garage additions, covered outdoor spaces, or contemporary home designs. The commercial-grade flat roofing material we install provides the same durability standards for residential applications, ensuring long-term performance.

What Is the Best Commercial Roofing Material?

Commercial roofing material selection depends on building use, budget, and maintenance requirements. TPO roofing material dominates commercial applications due to its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while EPDM roofing material serves buildings requiring maximum durability.

TPO advantages for commercial buildings:

  • Reflective properties that significantly reduce energy costs

  • Efficient installation across large areas, minimizing business disruption

  • Comprehensive warranty options for long-term commercial property protection

EPDM works well for:

  • Smaller commercial buildings

  • Properties with complex roof configurations

  • Buildings with multiple roof equipment installations requiring flexible material handling

Modified bitumen remains viable for specific commercial applications, particularly buildings requiring high traffic resistance. However, TPO and EPDM roofing materials generally provide better long-term value and performance for most commercial roofing projects in our service areas.

How Climate Affects Roofing Material Performance

Ohio and Michigan weather patterns significantly impact roofing material performance and longevity. Our experience across both states reveals how different materials handle freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, and summer heat differently.

Toledo Ohio Climate Challenges

Toledo's proximity to Lake Erie creates unique weather patterns that test roofing material durability year-round. Lake-effect snow can dump heavy loads suddenly, while spring storms bring high winds and hail that challenge even the best roofing materials.

Specific Toledo challenges:

  • Humidity from Lake Erie accelerates algae growth on asphalt roofing materials

  • Atlas shingles with algae-resistant granules become essential for longevity

  • Ice dams form more frequently due to the lake's moderating effect on winter temperatures

  • Summer heat combined with high humidity puts thermal stress on all roofing materials

Metal roofing material like Unified Steel excels in these conditions, reflecting heat while maintaining structural integrity through temperature fluctuations.

Farmington Hills Michigan Climate Considerations

Farmington Hills experiences the full brunt of Michigan's continental climate, with temperature swings that challenge roofing material flexibility. Heavy snowfall requires materials that handle structural loads while resisting ice dam formation along the roofline.

Key regional factors:

  • Frequent freeze-thaw cycles during spring and fall transitions test material durability

  • Atlas Stormmaster Shake and Pinnacle Pristine perform exceptionally well through these challenging seasonal changes

  • Wind patterns in southeastern Michigan can create uplift forces that test roofing material attachment systems

Regional Material Performance

Asphalt roofing materials like Atlas shingles handle our regional climate exceptionally well. The materials flex appropriately during temperature changes without becoming brittle. Ice dam formation affects all roofing materials, but proper attic ventilation and installation techniques minimize these issues regardless of material choice.

Metal roofing material performs excellently in heavy snow conditions. The smooth surface allows snow to shed naturally, reducing structural loads. However, proper snow guards become essential in areas where sliding snow could damage landscaping or pose safety risks.

Flat roofing material faces unique challenges in our climate. Proper insulation and drainage design prevent ice dam formation and ensure water evacuation during heavy precipitation periods. These considerations make professional installation critical for flat roof material success.

Wind resistance varies significantly among roofing materials. Atlas architectural shingles provide excellent wind resistance when properly installed, while metal roofing material systems often exceed residential wind requirements. Both materials perform well in our typical weather conditions.

How Installation Affects Roofing Material Performance

The best roofing material performs poorly without proper installation techniques. Our Atlas Pro+ certification ensures installations meet manufacturer specifications, maximizing material performance and warranty protection. This professional approach delivers results regardless of roofing material selected.

Installation quality factors:

  • Proper installation techniques vary significantly among roofing materials

  • Atlas shingles require specific nailing patterns and starter course installation

  • Metal roofing material needs precise panel alignment and fastener placement

  • Weather-resistant installation techniques protect any roofing material investment

Our Gold Standard Protection Plan reflects confidence in both material quality and installation craftsmanship. This comprehensive annual inspection program monitors roofing material performance and identifies potential issues before they become costly problems. The plan covers all roofing materials we install, providing homeowners ongoing peace of mind.

Workmanship affects roofing material lifespan more than most homeowners realize. Proper flashing installation, ventilation design, and detail work ensure materials perform to their maximum potential. Our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty demonstrates commitment to installation quality across all roofing material types.

Materials We Don't Recommend

Certain roofing materials don't align with our installation expertise or regional climate demands. Cedar shake roofing requires ongoing maintenance that many homeowners underestimate, and fire resistance concerns make it unsuitable for many areas.

Materials poorly suited for Ohio and Michigan climates:

  • Concrete and clay tile systems (cement tiles, composite concrete)

    • Weight: 2-4 times heavier than asphalt shingles

    • Requires extensive structural modifications most homes can't handle

    • Freeze-thaw cycles cause cracking, spalling, and premature failure

  • Cedar shake and wood shingles

    • Struggles with high humidity and moisture levels

    • Requires intensive maintenance to prevent rot, mold, and insects

    • Fire resistance concerns violate many building codes

    • Wet-dry cycles cause splitting and warping

  • Natural slate roofing

    • Becomes brittle in freeze-thaw climate

    • Heavy weight requires structural reinforcement

    • Difficult repairs - must match stone from original quarry

    • High cost plus climate maintenance issues make it impractical

These material limitations allow us to excel with Atlas asphalt shingles, Unified Steel metal roofing, and commercial-grade flat roofing materials. Concentrating expertise on fewer material types ensures superior installation quality and long-term customer satisfaction.

Ready to Choose the Right Roofing Material?

Selecting the best roofing material depends on your specific needs, budget, and architectural style. Our team helps property owners in Ohio and Michigan make informed decisions based on decades of installation experience and regional climate knowledge.

Contact Integrity Home Exteriors today for a free comprehensive roof assessment. We'll evaluate your current roofing material, discuss options that suit your property, and provide detailed estimates with no hidden costs. Our Atlas Pro+ certification and Lifetime Workmanship Warranty ensure your roofing material investment delivers maximum value.

Don't wait until roofing material problems become expensive emergencies. Schedule your free consultation and discover which roofing material best protects your property.