Asphalt shingles are among the most common and cost effective materials used in residential roofing as well as in some commercial applications. An asphalt based sheet is cut according to various patterns and the portion of the shingle which will be exposed to the elements is coated with granules of stone, gravel or synthetic material. Most asphalt shingles are warranted for a service life of fifteen to thirty years. In recent years, the completely regular shingles of the past have been replaced with more irregularly cut pieces which look from a distance like more expensive wood or slate shingles or shakes. These shingles are also known as designer shingles or architectural shingles.

There are several large and some smaller manufacturers of asphalt shingles in the North American market. These are noted in this section of the directory.

Cedar and slate are among the most recognizable roofing materials. These are the originals - the material generally used on sloped roofs for many decades until manufactured synthetic shingles obtained a significant price advantage. Both are still used in higher price, higher quality applications, along with a selection of other natural stone and natural wood products.

Copper roofs are well known for their longevity, their distinct green tarnished shades and their high expense. Steel roofing has evolved beyond corrugated sheets and standing seam construction to include a range of steel tiles, shakes and shingles. Other sheet metal and shaped metal materials are also used in both residential and commercial applications.

Terra cotta tiles are the other ancient roofing material for sloped roofs. Common in Mediterrean countries and subsequently in the American Southwest, terra cotta tiles originally had a very distinct look. Modern ceramic manufacturing techniques have greatly broadened the range of shapes, colors and styles available for residential and commercial roofs.

Excluding conventional asphalt shingles and green/solar material, this category includes most other synthetics: replica slate made of plastic or other material, replica cedar, concrete shingles, tiles of plastic, fiberglass or cement and numerous other modern material and mixed material products have emerged on the market offering a wide range of choices, insulating capacity, storm wind resistance and other features of special interest in niche markets.

Much of the commercial market is characterized by flat or low slope roofs where the material of choice is often sprayed on foams or sheets which are rolled on and melted together. The rubbers and plastics in small quantities are sometimes used in residential applications, but larger roofs are typically installed by specialist trained by the large industrial scale manufacturers.

Green and solar roofing materials are all the rage lately and in some jurisdictions, the use of green material can afford certain advantages either in licensing, taxation, density, or use. Green material typically involve the use of recycled material. Solar power generating roofing material would seem like a natural call especially for very sunny climates, but the generating capacity means the rather high cost of these material is still paid back over a long period — longer than the typical residence of an individual or family. Still, as technology advance we expect to see this segment of the market claim a larger and larger share.

Beginning with gutters, soffits, flashing, and underlayments, this is a very wide category..

Roofing tools include hand tools, power tools, and a range of specialized hand held or light powered equipment, together with some supplies, for example blades for cutting tools. Equipment includes lifts, cranes, safety products and a range of other items.

Except for the largest manufacturers, few of the makers of the materials cited above directly distribute to the market, and even the largest manufacturers avail themselves of the distribution and supplier network to put their products in the hands of roofing contractors.

The Inudstry page includes associations, publications, trade shows and other websites related to roofing as a business.

Know a website of a manufacturer or supplier we should add to our director? Please use this page to send us a suggestion for a site or sites to add.