Top Roofing Materials for Wisconsin Homes: What Works (and What Doesn’t)

Wisconsin’s weather doesn’t mess around. Between ice storms, hail, heavy snow, and high winds, your roof has to work hard. The best roofing materials aren’t always the flashiest - they’re the ones that can stand up to the Midwest’s unique climate and make financial sense for your home.

Before you invest in a “high-end” roof that looks great in Malibu or Mallorca, but fails in Madison or Milwaukee, let’s take a look at the roofing materials for Wisconsin homes that actually perform best here, and which ones cost more than they’re worth.

Asphalt Shingles: Still the Most Popular Choice in Wisconsin

• Cost: $

• Weight: Light

  
  

Asphalt shingles (or similar technology) have been used on homes for thousands of years and for good reason. They’re affordable, effective, and work well in nearly every Wisconsin neighborhood.

Pros:

• Budget-friendly with a wide range of aesthetic options

• Performs well against hail and heavy snow

• The only option compatible with both solar panels and solar shingles

• Recyclable in most areas (read about shingle recycling here)

  
  

Cons:

• Shorter lifespan than premium materials (typically 20–30 years, newer product generations possibly longer)

• Cannot be used on slopes below 2:12 (must use flat roofing materials)

  
  

Pro Tip: If you want an upscale look or improved hail resistance, premium options like CertainTeed Carriage House or Class 4 impact-rated Northgate ClimateFlex shingles can add style and performance without switching to a different roofing material. Some insurers may even discount your homeowners’ premium if you select these options.

Standing Seam Metal Roofs: Long-Lasting, But Not Practical

• Cost: $$$$

• Weight: Light

  
  

In recent years, metal roofing has been marketed as the ultimate upgrade. They are sleek, “forever” roofs that promise to outlast generations. But for most Wisconsin homeowners, the numbers simply don’t add up. The push toward metal has less to do with performance and more to do with marketing and margin.

Pros:

• Long lifespan

• Sustainable and fully recyclable

• Compatible with solar panels (clamp-on installations require no drilling)

  
  

Cons:

• Dents easily from hail or falling branches

• Risk of rust at low points where water can collect

• Can be noisy during storms

• Higher upfront cost

• Specific aesthetic may not fit the neighborhood

• ROI realization unlikely in your lifetime

  
  

Learn more about why we don’t recommend metal roofs for most Wisconsin homeowners in our full comparison: Metal vs. Asphalt Roofs: What’s Really Worth It in Wisconsin

Clay Tile: Beautiful, But Built for the Wrong Climate

• Cost: $$$$

• Weight: Very Heavy

  
  

Clay tile roofs are undeniably beautiful. They bring a warm, old-world look that’s hard to beat. But aesthetics aside, they were designed for dry, sun-drenched climates, not freeze-thaw winters. Before investing in a roof that’s more Mediterranean than Midwestern, it’s worth weighing form against function.

Pros:

• Classic Mediterranean or Southwestern aesthetic

• Long-lasting with proper maintenance

  
  

Cons:

• Not built for freeze-thaw cycles

• Can crack in Wisconsin winters

• Extremely heavy - most WI homes aren’t designed to carry the weight

• Expensive to repair or replace

• Walking on them is dangerous and often results in damage

While adding solar panels is technically possible, it is difficult and not recommended. Brackets are required, and you’ll be covering up the look you paid so much for.

Bottom Line: Clay tiles are not a good match for Wisconsin’s structural or seasonal realities.

Slate: Elegant and Extremely Durable, But Impractical for Most

• Cost: $$$$$$$

• Weight: Very Heavy

  
  

Slate is often viewed as the pinnacle of roofing: elegant, timeless, and nearly indestructible. It’s also one of the most expensive and heaviest materials available. While its durability (in some climates) is impressive, most Wisconsin homes aren’t built for the weight or the wallet that slate demands.

Pros:

• Can last 75–100 years

• Fire-resistant and extremely durable

  
  

Cons:

• Heavy and requires structural reinforcement

• Expensive to install and repair

• Cracks in freeze-thaw cycles

• Environmental cost from mining natural slate

  
  

To give you a sense of the cost of these, Grace Episcopal on Madison’s capitol square is currently trying to raise $1.5 million to replace their slate roof.

Slate roofs are best for historic or architecturally unique homes built to handle the weight.

(left) Wood Shake look-alike (Certainteed’s Presidential line) and (right) Slate look-alike (Certainteed’s Belmont line)

Composite & PVC Roofing (Synthetic Slate, Shakes, or Shingles)

• Cost: $$

• Weight: Medium

  
  

Composite and PVC roofing are part of a new generation of materials that blend style and practicality. Designed to mimic the look of natural slate or wood without the maintenance headaches, they offer a compelling middle ground between affordability, aesthetics, and performance.

Pros:

• One of the most visually striking options available 

• Lightweight alternative to wood shakes or slate 

• Superior impact resistance

• Often made from recycled materials

• Wider range of color and styles not possible with natural rock or wood

• Compatible with rack-mounted solar panel systems

  
  

Cons:

• Can still be pricey

• These are a newer technology so it can be difficult to find an experienced contractor

  
  

Great for homeowners who want a premium, low-maintenance look without the structural challenges of natural materials.

Wood and Cedar Shakes: Rustic and Classic, But High Maintenance

• Cost: $$$$

• Weight: Medium

  
  

Wood shakes have a rustic charm that connects to Wisconsin’s architectural roots. They were once the default for homes across the state. Today, they’re chosen more for heritage and curb appeal than practicality, since their beauty comes with higher maintenance and climate limitations.

Pros:

• Warm, natural appearance

• Strong insulative properties

• May be eligible for tax credits on historical properties

  
  

Cons:

• Prone to rot, insects, moss

• Not ideal for wet or snowy climates

• Higher fire risk (many insurers won’t cover it)

• Not recyclable

• Requires special decking (skip/sheathing), making it expensive to switch in or out of this style

• Difficult or impractical for solar installation

  
  

Best reserved for niche historical homes or homeowners who already have a compatible roof structure. Wood originally covered most Wisconsin homes before the 1920s. If you live in a historical building, you may be eligible for certain state or local tax credits if you re-shingle your home with wood.

Example of commercial style flat roof

Flat Roofs (TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen)

• Cost: $$

• Weight: Light

  
  

Common on commercial buildings, but also used on porches, one-story additions, bay windows, and modern flat-roof homes. Homeowners pick low-slope because it fits under second-story windows and existing rooflines, keeps additions within height limits, and makes the wall tie-in simpler.

Pros:

• Ideal for solar panel installation in commercial applications due to easy tilt adjustment

• Cost-effective for large surface areas

• Can solve tricky geometry on residential additions without blocking existing windows or gutters

• Cost-effective on small areas (e.g., porch or awning)

  
  

Cons:

• Flat = poor drainage if not maintained or not appropriately pitched (flat doesn’t actually mean completely flat)

• Prone to standing water and ice accumulation if drains clog

• Requires much higher maintenance than pitched roofs (e.g., quarterly cleaning)

• Often not ideal for solar in residential applications because these flat roofs are usually shaded by taller areas of the home.

• Vulnerable to problems at transition zones (e.g., siding, chimney, edges), especially if flashing is sloppy

Example of a small flat roof in a residential context. This one is over a doorstep in Madison’s Maple Bluff neighborhood where the drainage has failed and water is likely leaking into the house through the siding.

Asphalt-Mimicking Metal Shingles

• Cost: $$$

• Weight: Light

  
  

For homeowners who love the look of traditional shingles but want the longevity of metal, asphalt-mimicking metal shingles promise the best of both worlds. They’re designed to blend in while offering improved durability, though their newer technology and higher price tag still make them a niche choice in most Wisconsin neighborhoods. If you are intrigued by this premium option, we recommend you look into composite or even solar roofing, instead.

Pros:

• Offers durability of metal with the traditional look of shingles

• More impact-resistant than standard asphalt

  
  

Cons:

• Newer, unproven technology

• Prone to denting

• Snow slides still a concern

• More complex (and sometimes impractical) for solar installation

  
  

Best for intrepid homeowners who want a long-lasting roof without a “barn-like” appearance.

What to Consider When Choosing Roofing Materials for Wisconsin Homes

Before choosing a material, consider the following:

• Roof slope: Not all materials perform well on low-slope roofs

• Tree coverage: Frequent debris may clog gutters or damage softer materials

• Neighborhood/HOA restrictions: Some communities regulate roof material and appearance.

• Siding type: For example, if you have wood siding, you may be expected to use wood roofing

• Historic designations: May limit your ability to change materials

• Solar Plans: Some materials work better with solar than others

Our Recommendation: Start With Asphalt, Then Explore Premium Upgrades

There’s a reason asphalt shingles are still the default choice for most Wisconsin homes. They work.

But if you’re aiming for long-term durability or a premium aesthetic, consider composite, high-end asphalt, or metal options. And if solar is in your plans, materials like asphalt and composite are your best bets for seamless integration.

Not sure what roofing material is right for your home? Schedule a free inspection or call 608-608-1082 and we’ll walk you through the options based on your home, your goals, and your budget.