Close aerial view of architectural shingles meeting dormers — Architectural shingle at the dormers · TPC photo

Roofing materials · Wilmington, NC

Metal vs shingle roofs
For your Wilmington home.

Comparing metal vs shingle roofs for your Wilmington, NC home? Start with the house, your budget and how long you plan to stay. Our photos also show cedar and copper details.

Talk through my options

Metal vs shingle roofs, plus cedar

Compare roofing materials for your house and budget. Coastal wear, roof details and any historic review requirements also matter.

Material	Budget and fit	Coastal care and decisions
Architectural shingle	Good value, with a dimensional look and many colors. Suits most homes.	Ask about wind rating and warranty coverage. Check shingles and roof details for wear.
Standing-seam metal	Costs more up front; a long-lasting option for coastal and cottage-style homes.	Sheds water quickly. In a local historic district, check with the City before changing materials.
Cedar shake	A natural wood look for some older and character homes. Ask for a roof-specific estimate.	Needs more upkeep in a humid coastal climate. Ask about treatment and care.

Copper flashing and other detail work matter with any roof: the chimney, wall and valley connections are common leak points. Planning a historic roof?

01

Architectural shingle

Architectural shingles give a roof a layered look, with a choice of colors. Ask about wind ratings and warranties.

Good fit forRanches, two-story brick and other homes.

Worth knowingAsk about wind ratings and warranty coverage on the coast. Shingles differ. For a roof built to the FORTIFIED standard, ask about a FORTIFIED roof.

Brick home with a charcoal shingle roof from above — GAF Timberline UHDZ, Charcoal

Single-story home with a weathered wood shingle roof from above — GAF Timberline HDZ, Weathered Wood

Blue-grey home with a new gray shingle roof seen from the street — Owens Corning Duration, Estate Gray

Finished architectural shingle roof on a full replacement — Architectural shingle, full replacement

02

Standing-seam metal

Standing-seam metal sheds water quickly and comes in many colors. Its clean lines suit coastal homes.

Good fit forCoastal homes and cottages, especially if you plan to stay long term.

Worth knowingMetal costs more up front. Switching materials in a local historic district may need City review.

White standing-seam metal roof from high above — White metal, coastal home

Blue cottage with a silver metal roof among neighboring homes — Silver metal on a cottage

Red standing-seam metal roof on a white coastal house — Red metal by the water

White coastal home with a columned portico and white metal roof — White metal, columned portico

03

Cedar shake

Cedar shake is real wood that weathers over time. Its natural texture suits some older homes.

Good fit forHomes where wood’s natural look matters, including older houses.

Worth knowingWood needs more upkeep in a humid coastal climate. Ask about treatment and ongoing care.

New cedar shake roof with a valley and vent against blue sky — Valley and vent detail, new cedar shake

New copper flashing stepped into a brick chimney on a shingle roof — Copper flashing · TPC photo

04

Copper & detail work

Flashing protects the joints around chimneys, brick and walls. These roof details are common leak points.

Good fit forChimneys, roof-to-wall joints and other roof connections that need attention.

Worth knowingRepairing the details may help you keep an otherwise sound roof.

Not sure which is right?

We can inspect your roof for free. Then we’ll compare the materials that suit your house.