What are roof shingles made of?
Short answer. Most roof shingles in Georgia are asphalt shingles: a fiberglass mat coated with asphalt and mineral filler and surfaced with ceramic-coated granules. Other shingle types are made of wood (cedar shakes and shingles), natural slate, stamped metal, clay or concrete tile, or synthetic polymer composites made to look like slate or shake.
Asphalt shingles
The dominant roof on Georgia homes. Early asphalt shingles used an organic felt mat. Modern ones use fiberglass, which does not rot and lets the shingle reach a Class A fire rating. They come as flat 3-tab strips or thicker laminated architectural shingles, and premium lines add polymer-modified asphalt for impact resistance.
The other shingle materials
- Wood. Cedar shingles are sawn and smooth, while shakes are split and rough. Beautiful, but they need airflow to dry, struggle in humid shade, and raise fire concerns.
- Slate. Natural split stone that can last generations. Very heavy and expensive, and it requires specialized installers. Found on some historic Georgia homes.
- Metal. Stamped steel or aluminum panels shaped like shingles, slate or shakes, sometimes coated with stone granules.
- Clay and concrete tile. Molded and fired clay or cast concrete. Heavy, long lasting, and more common in Florida and the Southwest than North Georgia.
- Synthetic composites. Polymer and rubber blends molded to mimic slate or shake. Lighter than the real thing, with impact ratings on many products.
How material affects your decision
Weight decides whether the framing needs reinforcement. Availability of trained installers decides whether repairs are easy. In Georgia's heat and humidity, algae resistance and attic ventilation matter for every material.
Read how long each lasts in how long a roof lasts in Georgia, compare asphalt types in architectural vs 3-tab shingles, and weigh metal in metal roofing in Georgia.