Are you in need of a new roof and wondering how to balance cost and durability when making your decision? Do you want to know which roof type holds up best in Seattle’s damp and rainy weather?
At RoofSmart, we help hundreds of Seattle area homeowners each year replace their roofs with materials that can handle this unique climate. We walk them through the pros and cons of each option, not just based on looks or price, but on how well each material holds up under Seattle area conditions.
In this article, you’ll learn the benefits and drawbacks of 8 popular roof types in the Seattle area so you can choose the best fit for your priorities, your budget, and your home.
What Are the Most Common Roof Types for Seattle Homes?
Here's an overview of the 8 most common roof types that you can choose from. Each one has its own pros and cons and performs differently in the rainy Seattle weather.
Asphalt Shingles: Affordable, Easy to Install, but Short Lifespan
Pros:
- Easiest roofing type to install
- Widely available in a variety of colors
- Easy to repair
- Most affordable roofing option
- Most popular choice due to low cost and accessibility
Cons:
- High likelihood of poor workmanship due to low barrier to entry
- Short lifespan (typically 17–20 years in Seattle's rainy climate)
Best Fit For:
Seattle homeowners on a tight budget or planning to sell in the near future often choose asphalt shingles—they’re cost-effective and easy to replace, even if they won’t last as long in the wet climate.
Metal Panels: Long-Lasting but Expensive
Pros:
- Sleek, modern appearance
- Ideal for solar panel installation (no need to drill)
- Available in many colors
- Highly customizable
Cons:
- Requires a high skill level for proper installation
- Approximately twice the cost of asphalt
Best Fit For:
Metal panel roofs are ideal for Seattle-area homeowners who want a sleek, long-lasting, low-maintenance option that sheds water and moss easily, even under heavy rain and debris from surrounding trees.
Euroshield: Unique, Durable, but Expensive
Pros:
- Mimics the look of shake, tile, or slate for a lower cost
- Unique and rare to help your home stand out
- Highly algae-resistant
- Safe to walk on even when dirty
- Extremely durable and bouncy
Cons:
- Costs nearly double that of asphalt (similar to metal)
Best Fit For:
Euroshield works well for Seattle homeowners who want a distinctive look with maximum durability and traction. It’s also a great choice for anyone who wants a completely algae-resistant roof (algae is a big problem in the Seattle area, so this is a major bonus!).
Premium shake: Classic Look, High Cost
Pros:
- Classic, timeless aesthetic
- Excellent breathability (doesn’t trap moisture)
- Comes in a range of quality levels
- Top-tier shake can be fire- or pressure-treated
Cons:
- Very expensive (when shipped from Canada)
- Few roofers have the skill to install it properly
- Lower-quality shake options reduce durability
Best Fit For:
Homeowners in older Seattle homes might choose premium shake to match architectural styles and benefit from natural breathability in our damp climate (provided they’re willing to invest in high-quality materials and craftsmanship).
Slate: Long-lasting, Heavy, and Expensive
Image from Brava Roof Tile
Pros:
- Lifespan of 200–300 years
- Rare and eye-catching look
- Considered a “generational” roofing investment
Cons:
- Very heavy—may require structural reinforcement
- High cost
- Must be shipped in from across the country, adding to the expense
Best Fit For:
Slate is a great fit for Seattle homeowners building or restoring high-end homes who want a roof that will outlast generations and stand up to rain without absorbing moisture.
Concrete Tile: Strong and Stylish, But Heavy
Image from Eagle Roofing
Pros:
- Visually appealing with Mediterranean or southwestern design
- Extremely strong
- Absorbs heat, offering slight winter insulation
Cons:
- The tiles are heavy so your roof will need to be reinforced
- Retains heat in summer, creating attic warmth
- Shorter lifespan in wet climates (tiles can absorb water and crack when frozen)
Best Fit For:
Concrete tile may appeal to Seattle homeowners who love its look, but it’s best suited to newer homes engineered for the weight and ideally with enhanced drainage to avoid water absorption in winter.
Clay Tile: Beautiful, Long-Lasting, but Expensive
Pros:
- Attractive and unique, like concrete tiles
- Lifespan of over 100 years
- Doesn’t absorb moisture
- A good long-term investment
Cons:
- Expensive and heavy—most homes aren’t built to hold this much weight
- Must be shipped in
Best Fit For:
Clay tile is a solid option for Seattle homeowners looking for a timeless look and long-term performance, particularly those prioritizing moisture resistance and who live in homes that can structurally support its weight.
Stamped Metal Tiles: Affordable, but Fragile
Image from KasselWood
Pros:
- Mimics tile look at a much lower cost
- More durable than asphalt in wet conditions
- Better resistance to rain and moisture
Cons:
- Easily dented during transport or installation
- Stone-coated versions absorb water and collect debris (like pine needles)
Best Fit For:
Stamped metal tiles are ideal for homeowners who want the appearance of high-end tile but need a lighter, more budget-friendly solution that still holds up well against Seattle’s rain.
How do the 8 most common roof types compare?
Every home is unique, and every homeowner has their own set of priorities for what they want to get out of their new roof.
Check out this comparison table to quickly see how the 8 most common roof types measure up to one another. Use this matrix to see which roof materials best match with you priorities and needs.
Another feature that is important to many homeowners who are picking out shingles is aesthetics. This is not included in the matrix because we cannot objectively measure how beautiful a shingle is, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be a priority for you.
For example, often when homeowners choose shake, tile, or slate roofs, it is because they like the way they look and are aiming to enhance their curb appeal.
Which roof is best in a rainy area like Seattle?
When deciding what type of shingles you want on your house, it’s important to consider the type of environment that you live in.
For a low-maintenance, waterproof roof, your best options are materials that hold up well against rain and moisture, such as metal roofs, clay tiles, slate, or premium-grade shake. This will help prevent leaks and moss growth in and around your roof.
That being said, if you find a roofing contractor who knows what they’re doing, then you can get any kind of roof you want in this area. An asphalt roof that is installed properly will last the allotted 15 to 25 years and provide great water resistance.
Falling debris from trees is another major issue in the Seattle area, but metal roofs, clay tiles, and slate all hold up really well when leaves and pine needles collect on top of them.
Certain roofing materials might naturally be better suited for these conditions, but that doesn’t mean that your options are limited.
A qualified roofing contractor can help give you tips on which shingles are best for your Seattle home. Not sure how to find a trustworthy roofer?
Download our Qualified Roofer Checklist to evaluate your roofing contractor options with ease.
What’s the Best Roof Type for Your Seattle Home?
After reading this article, you are familiar with your roofing options and understand what each one can do for you. You no longer need to feel stressed or overwhelmed by your options because you’ve had the chance to choose which shingles will work best for you based on the features they offer.
Choosing shingles is all about knowing what you want and need for your roof. You have to think about what your top priorities are. Do you want the most affordable option? Do you want a 100% rain-proof roof for the Seattle climate? Do you want to enhance your house’s curb appeal?
Once you know what you want out of your roof, it becomes much easier to find a shingle that meets your needs.
Interested in a more in-depth comparison of a metal roof vs. asphalt shingles? Check our article “Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofs: Which One is Better for My Home?” that weighs the advantages and disadvantages of each roof type.
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