You need a new roof, or you’re trying to figure out what’s on your house right now. Either way, here’s what you’re dealing with: asphalt shingles (the most common), metal roofing, wood shakes, slate, and rubber roofing. Each one’s got its own pros and cons, especially around here, where Massachusetts weather does whatever it wants.
We’ve been installing roofs in Medford for over 25 years now. Seen plenty of winters that’ll test any roof, and summers that aren’t much easier. This guide tells you what actually matters when you’re picking materials.
Asphalt Shingles: Why Most People Go This Route
Look around Medford. Most roofs you see? Asphalt shingles. There’s a good reason for that.
They won’t destroy your budget (around $3.50-$5.50 per square foot once they’re installed). They handle our winters reasonably well. You can find them in pretty much any color. Plus, fixing them when something goes wrong isn’t complicated.
Why they work here: Decent quality asphalt shingles can take what New England throws at them. The architectural style ones usually last 25-30 years. Basic 3-tab versions? You’re looking at 15-20 years, maybe less if you get unlucky with the weather. Getting them installed properly matters. So does having good attic ventilation.
You know those black streaks on older roofs? That’s algae, and Medford’s humidity makes it worse. Get algae-resistant shingles, and you won’t have to deal with it.
What we’ve learned installing these for decades: People go for the cheapest option and kick themselves later. Spend a little more on mid-grade architectural shingles. They stand up to wind better. The warranties actually mean something. You’ll thank yourself in ten years.
Metal Roofing: More Popular Than It Used to Be
Metal roofs have really taken off around Massachusetts lately. Once you see how they perform, it clicks.
Here’s what you get: 40-70 years of life. Snow slides off instead of piling up (which means way fewer ice dam headaches). Fire can’t touch it. Summer heat bounces off instead of making your AC work overtime. And it weighs almost nothing compared to slate or tile.
The money part: Metal runs $7-$12 per square foot installed. Yeah, that’s more than asphalt. But if you’re planning to stay in your house long-term, the math works out in your favor.
Your options: Standing seam metal looks modern and clean. Metal shingles can look like wood shakes or slate but weigh practically nothing. Both handle our climate great.
Downsides? Rain on metal can be loud if there’s not enough insulation underneath. And not every contractor knows how to install metal right. We do, but you need to make sure whoever you hire has actually done it before.
Wood Shakes and Shingles: That Traditional New England Thing
Some people just love wood roofs. Can’t blame them. Cedar shakes have that rustic look. Sawn shingles are smoother but still give you that natural feel.
Why people still choose wood: It’s beautiful. Ages in a way that actually looks good instead of worn out. Insulates well. It’s renewable if that environmental stuff matters to you. When you repair sections, the new pieces blend in over time.
Reality check on wood: Wood needs work. Like, actual regular work. You’re treating it for moss. Cleaning debris off. Replacing damaged pieces. In our humid climate, skip maintenance for a year or two and things go downhill fast.
Cost is $6-$9 per square foot installed. With proper maintenance (and I mean actually doing it), expect 20-30 years. Some parts of Medford have fire codes requiring treated wood. That costs more.
Honest opinion from us: We’ve done hundreds of wood roofs. They look incredible. But they’re high maintenance, no way around it. Really think about whether you want to commit to that before you decide.
Slate Roofing: The Expensive One That Lasts Forever
Slate is the roof that outlives everyone. Drive through the older parts of Medford and check out slate roofs that have been sitting there for 100+ years, still going strong.
Why slate is special: Lasts 75-150 years, sometimes longer. Fire? Not a problem. You never treat it or coat it. Looks the same 50 years later as it did on day one. Seriously increases your home value.
Here’s the catch: Slate costs $15-$30 per square foot installed. That’s real money. But divide that by 100 years and suddenly it doesn’t look crazy expensive. Bigger problem? It’s heavy. Really, really heavy.
Most Medford houses weren’t built to support slate’s weight. You need a structural engineer to check your framing first. That means more cost and complexity.
When it actually makes sense: Historic homes where it fits the look. High-end properties where you want the best. When you want to install a roof once and never think about it again. If that’s your situation and you can swing the cost, slate beats everything else.
Rubber Roofing (EPDM): For Flat Roofs
Got a garage addition? Enclosed porch? Some flat roof section? That’s where EPDM rubber roofing comes in.
What it’s good at: Waterproofing is excellent. Handles standing water better than other options. UV damage doesn’t bother it. Cost is reasonable, $4-$8 per square foot. Lasts 20-30 years.
Where we install it: Garage additions, porches, those flat sections some Medford homes have. It doesn’t work for pitched roofs, but where it fits, it really performs.
Massachusetts temperature swings don’t faze it. Those freeze-thaw cycles that wreck cheap flat roof materials? EPDM handles them fine.
Comparing Your Options
| Roof Type | How Long It Lasts | What You’ll Pay | Works Best For | How Much Maintenance |
| Asphalt Shingles | 15-30 years | $3.50-$5.50/sq ft | Most homes, tighter budgets | Low |
| Metal Roofing | 40-70 years | $7-$12/sq ft | Long-term thinking, modern look | Very low |
| Wood Shakes | 20-30 years | $6-$9/sq ft | Traditional style | High |
| Slate | 75-150 years | $15-$30/sq ft | Premium homes, historic places | Very low |
| Rubber (EPDM) | 20-30 years | $4-$8/sq ft | Flat roofs, low-slope areas | Low |
What Works Best Around Here?
Your situation’s different from your neighbor’s. Here’s what we talk through when we meet.
Money and timing: Need it done fast? Asphalt shingles are your answer. Thinking long-term? Metal or slate make more sense even though they cost more upfront.
Your house style: Colonial homes look right with asphalt or slate. Modern designs work with metal. Your house basically tells you what fits.
Can your structure handle it? Older Medford homes sometimes need reinforcement for heavy stuff like slate. We check this when we come out for the free inspection.
How it handles our weather: Everything we install can deal with Massachusetts weather. Metal’s best for snow. Wood needs extra attention when it’s humid.
Neighborhood rules: Some HOAs get picky about materials or colors. Check that before you decide anything.
When You Actually Need a New Roof
Keep an eye out for these problems:
- Shingles curling up, cracking, or just missing
- Little granules piling up in your gutters
- You can see daylight through the roof boards from your attic
- Water stains showing up on ceilings or walls
- Your roof’s getting old for whatever material it is
- Parts that look like they’re sagging
Don’t wait for actual leaks to happen. By then you’re paying to fix interior damage too, and that gets expensive fast.
Why Installation Quality Actually Matters More Than You Think
Picking the right material is only half of it. If installation’s sloppy, your roof won’t make it to its expected lifespan. Not even close.
Bad installation causes premature failure. Voids warranties. Creates ice dams. Lets water in. Your roof dies early. We’ve fixed way too many roofs that failed too soon because someone cut corners during installation. Proper underlayment, flashing done right, good ventilation – that’s what separates installations that work from ones that don’t.
Questions People Ask Us All the Time
How long does installing a roof take? Most houses take 1-3 days depending on size and what material you picked. Metal and slate take longer than asphalt.
Can you just put new shingles over the old ones? Massachusetts code says you can leave one layer of old shingles. But we usually recommend tearing everything off so we can actually see the roof deck and do it properly.
Best time of year to do this in Medford? Late spring through early fall is ideal. We work year-round, but winter installations need extra precautions.
Who handles the permits? We do. Medford requires permits for roof replacement. We take care of all that plus the inspections.
How do I maintain different types? Asphalt and metal need yearly inspections and clean gutters. Wood needs treatment every few years. Slate mostly just needs occasional checks to make sure nothing’s wrong.
Picking the Right Contractor Matters More Than the Material
The material you choose matters less than who installs it. Really.
What to look for: Local experience – we’ve been doing Medford for 25+ years. Proper licensing and insurance. Certifications from manufacturers. Clear warranties. References from people in your area.
FRS Roofing + Gutters has installed every type of residential roof around Medford and the surrounding towns. Our team’s got manufacturer certifications. We back everything with solid warranties.
Let’s Talk About Your Specific Roof
Now you know about different residential roof types. The next step is getting someone to actually look at your situation.
We do free inspections and estimates. When we come out, we’ll inspect what you’ve got now, check if your structure can handle what you’re thinking about, go over materials that fit your budget, give you real pricing, and answer whatever questions you have.
Your roof protects everything you own inside that house. Pick materials and contractors that actually deliver on what they promise. Contact FRS Roofing + Gutters to schedule your free estimate and figure out which roof type makes the most sense for your Medford home.