Roofing and Siding Material Comparison Chart
Every material we install, on one chart, scored for the conditions that actually wear out Chicago-area exteriors.
Read across a row of this roofing material comparison chart to see a material’s profile; read down a column to see which option holds up best against one specific threat. Ratings run from one to five and reflect our field experience with each system in northern Illinois, not laboratory scores. A dash means the condition does not meaningfully apply, such as heat performance for a gutter.
Cost tiers compare installed price within the same category. A four-dollar-sign siding is the premium end of siding, not the same money as a four-dollar-sign roof. Lifespans assume competent installation and routine maintenance; a neglected roof of any type will fall short.
| Material | Typical life | Cost tier | Ice dams | Freeze-thaw | Hail | Wind | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steep-slope roofing | |||||||
| Architectural Asphalt Shingles | 20–30 years in Chicago-area conditions with balanced attic ventilation | ||||||
| Designer and Luxury Asphalt Shingles | 25–40 years in Chicago-area conditions, depending on the product line, roof pitch and attic ventilation | ||||||
| Impact-Resistant (Class 4) Shingles | 25–30 years in Chicago-area conditions with balanced attic ventilation; avoiding hail damage is usually what decides whether a roof reaches the top of that range | ||||||
| Metal Roofing | 40–60+ years for steel standing seam with a quality finish; exposed-fastener roofs need fastener work well before the panels wear out | ||||||
| Synthetic Slate and Composite Shake | 40–50 years projected for quality polymer products; the category is younger than that, so long-term field history is still building | ||||||
| Flat and low-slope roofing | |||||||
| Flat and Low-Slope Roof Membranes | 15–30 years depending on membrane type, thickness and drainage; coatings renew a sound existing roof for roughly 10–15 years per application | ||||||
| Siding | |||||||
| Engineered Wood Siding | 30+ years in Chicago-area conditions when edges stay sealed and the paint film is maintained | – | |||||
| Fiber Cement Siding | 30–50 years for the boards; field-painted siding typically needs repainting every 10–15 years, factory finishes usually last longer before the first repaint | – | |||||
| Vinyl Siding | 25–40 years in Chicago-area conditions; fading, cracked panels and discontinued colors usually end its life before the material wears out | – | |||||
| Gutters | |||||||
| Seamless Gutters and Gutter Guards | 20–30 years for seamless aluminum gutters; copper lasts considerably longer, and guard life varies by type | – | |||||
How to read the roofing material comparison chart
Start with the threat your house faces most. A chart cannot see your lot, so treat it as a short list generator rather than a verdict.
Homes under mature trees on the north side of a lot fight algae and ice; homes on open lots west of the city see more wind; neighborhoods with a history of hail claims should weigh impact ratings heavily. Then narrow by budget and the look you want, and check the detailed guide for each finalist before you collect bids.
Ready to price a new roof?
Free inspection and an itemized estimate that names every product.
Before you hire any roofer
These checks take a few minutes and work on any contractor, us included.
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Look up the roofing license
Illinois licenses roofing contractors through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Its free online lookup shows a license’s holder, type, status and expiration. Source: IDFPR license lookup
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Get a written contract
The Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act requires a written contract for repair or remodeling work costing more than $1,000. Source: Illinois Attorney General
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Walk away from deductible offers
Illinois law bars a contractor from advertising or promising to pay or rebate any part of your insurance deductible to win the job. Source: 815 ILCS 513/18