Drive through any Phoenix-area neighborhood and you'll see three kinds of roofs over and over: concrete or clay tile, asphalt shingles, and, on flat roofs, spray foam. Each handles Arizona's sun and monsoon storms differently, and the right one for your home depends less on taste than on your roof's slope, its structure and your HOA.
Tile: long-lasting, but it's the layer underneath that wears out
Concrete and clay tile is the most common roof in Arizona's master-planned communities, and for good reason. Tile stands up to intense UV, it suits Southwestern and Mediterranean architecture, and the tiles themselves can last for decades.
The catch is that tile isn't what keeps the water out. The underlayment beneath it is, and Arizona heat dries it out until it cracks, usually around the 20-year mark. When that happens, the tiles can usually be lifted and relaid over new underlayment rather than replaced. See tile underlayment replacement.
- Best for: pitched roofs, HOA communities that require tile, homeowners planning to stay a long time.
- Keep in mind: tile is heavy. Switching from shingles to tile can require checking whether the roof structure can carry the weight. Walking on tile also breaks it, so leave inspections to a roofer.
Asphalt shingles: lighter and simpler, with a shorter life here
Shingles are lighter than tile, come in many colors and are straightforward to repair. Arizona's sun is hard on them, though. Asphalt shingles typically last 15–25 years here, shorter than in milder climates, and monsoon wind can lift and tear them off.
- Best for: pitched roofs on homes already built for shingles, and owners who want a lower upfront cost.
- Keep in mind: look for granule loss, curling and bald spots as shingles age, and check for lifted tabs after a storm.
Spray foam: built for flat roofs
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is sprayed on as a liquid that expands into a seamless, insulating layer, then coated to protect it from the sun. It's common on flat and low-slope roofs, from older Southwestern homes to offices and warehouses. With no seams, there are fewer places for water to get in, and a light-colored coating reflects much of the sun's heat.
Foam needs its coating maintained. When the coating wears thin, the foam underneath starts to break down in the sun, and recoating at that point usually costs far less than replacing the roof. See foam and flat roofing.
- Best for: flat and low-slope roofs, homes and commercial buildings.
- Keep in mind: foam isn't used on pitched roofs, and water standing for days after a storm is a sign the slope needs correcting.
Which one is right for your home?
Most of the decision is made by your roof itself:
- Pitched roof in an HOA community: usually tile, often required by the HOA's architectural rules.
- Pitched roof built for shingles: shingles, or tile if the structure can carry it.
- Flat or low-slope roof: foam, or a membrane such as TPO.
We also install metal roofs, which suit some homes and many commercial buildings.
What about cost?
It depends on the size and pitch of the roof, what's underneath the old one and how much of the existing material can be reused. For a quick range, try our instant online estimate, which measures your roof from satellite imagery. For an exact quote, we'll inspect the roof for free and recommend the option that fits your home, not the most expensive one.