Best Roofing Materials for Long Island's Coastal Climate

Why Long Island's Climate Demands Specific Roofing Materials

Long Island sits in one of the more demanding climates for residential roofing in the Northeast. You get the full range of weather conditions throughout the year:

• Winter: Temperatures swing between the 20s and 50s, creating freeze-thaw cycles that crack shingles and expand flashing joints. Nor'easters bring heavy snow loads and sustained winds of 40-70 mph. Ice dams form on homes with poor ventilation.
• Spring/Fall: Heavy rain, wind events, and rapid temperature changes stress roofing materials at their seams and joints.
• Summer: High heat and humidity. Attics on Long Island can hit 140-160 degrees in July and August. UV radiation degrades shingles over time.
• Year-round: Salt air from the Atlantic and Long Island Sound corrodes metal components. The closer you are to the water, the worse this gets.

The right roofing material handles all of this. The wrong one fails early.

Architectural Asphalt Shingles: The Standard Choice

About 80% of the roofs we install on Long Island are architectural asphalt shingles. There is a reason for that: they offer the best balance of performance, appearance, and cost for most homeowners.

What they are

Architectural shingles (also called dimensional or laminate shingles) are thicker and more durable than basic 3-tab shingles. They use two or more layers of asphalt bonded together, creating a heavier, more wind-resistant product with a textured appearance that mimics wood shake or slate.

Performance on Long Island

• Wind resistance: Most architectural shingles are rated for 130 mph winds. Premium lines hit 150 mph. After years of installing on Long Island, we can say these ratings hold up in practice. Well-installed architectural shingles survive nor'easters with minimal losses.
• Lifespan: 20-30 years depending on quality, installation, and ventilation. On the South Shore where weather exposure is more severe, expect the lower end of that range.
• Heat resistance: Modern asphalt shingles handle Long Island summers without significant issues. Algae-resistant varieties are available for homes in shaded areas where moss and algae growth is a concern.
• Salt air: The shingle surface itself holds up fine in salt air. The concern is the metal components underneath: nails, flashing, drip edge. Using corrosion-resistant fasteners is important on coastal installations.

Cost on Long Island

A full roof replacement with architectural shingles on a typical Long Island home runs $8,000-$18,000, depending on size and complexity. See our full roof cost breakdown for detailed pricing by home size.

Best for

Most Long Island homeowners. If your budget is under $20,000 and you want a reliable, good-looking roof that lasts 25+ years, architectural shingles are the right choice.

Want to see shingle options for your home? Call (516) 595-5395 for a free estimate with sample boards.

Metal Roofing: Best for Coastal and Long-Term Durability

Metal roofing has been gaining popularity on Long Island, and for good reason. If you are willing to pay more upfront, you get a roof that lasts two to three times longer than asphalt and performs better in extreme weather.

Types of metal roofing

• Standing seam: Vertical metal panels with raised seams. The most durable and weather-tight metal roofing system. Seams lock together and allow thermal expansion. This is what we recommend for metal roof installations.
• Metal shingles: Individual metal pieces shaped to resemble traditional shingles, slate, or shake. They install more like conventional shingles and blend in better with neighborhood aesthetics.

Performance on Long Island

• Wind resistance: Metal roofs are rated to 140-180 mph. On Long Island, that means they handle anything short of a direct hurricane hit without issue.
• Lifespan: 40-70 years. A metal roof installed today is likely the last roof you will ever put on your home.
• Salt air: This is where material choice matters. Aluminum panels resist salt corrosion well. Galvanized steel does not. For homes within a few miles of the coast, aluminum or galvalume (aluminum-coated steel) is the only option that holds up. All fasteners and accessories need to be stainless steel or aluminum.
• Snow and ice: Metal sheds snow faster than asphalt, reducing ice dam risk. Snow guards can be installed to prevent sudden snow slides over entryways.
• Energy efficiency: Metal roofs reflect more solar heat than asphalt, reducing cooling costs in summer. Some homeowners on Long Island report noticeable differences in second-floor temperatures.

Cost on Long Island

Standing seam metal roofing on Long Island typically costs $18,000-$35,000+ for an average-sized home. Metal shingle systems fall in the $15,000-$28,000 range. The higher cost is offset by the longer lifespan and reduced maintenance.

Best for

Homeowners who plan to stay in their home long-term, coastal homes where salt air degrades asphalt faster, and homes where ice dams are a recurring problem.

Slate and Synthetic Slate: Premium Longevity

Natural slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. A properly installed slate roof can last 75-100+ years. Some slate roofs in New England are still performing after 150 years.

The reality on Long Island

We do not install many slate roofs on Long Island. Here is why: a natural slate roof costs $25,000-$50,000+ for an average home, it requires a reinforced roof structure because it is extremely heavy (800-1,500 lbs per square), and finding skilled slate installers is difficult. The few remaining ones on Long Island charge premium rates, and any future repair work is expensive and specialized.

If you love the look of slate, synthetic slate products from manufacturers like DaVinci or CertainTeed offer a similar appearance at a lower weight and cost. Synthetic slate runs $15,000-$30,000 installed and lasts 40-50 years. It is lighter than natural slate, easier to install, and easier to repair.

Best for

Historic homes where maintaining the original slate look matters, or homeowners who want a distinctive appearance and are willing to pay for it. For most Long Island homes, architectural shingles or metal offer better value.

Flat Roof Materials: TPO, EPDM, and Modified Bitumen

Long Island has plenty of homes with flat or low-slope roof sections, especially on ranches, split-levels, and additions. Traditional shingles do not work on flat surfaces because water does not shed fast enough. Flat roofs need membrane systems.

For residential flat sections on Long Island, TPO or EPDM are the most common choices. For commercial flat roofs, check our commercial roofing page.

How Salt Air Affects Your Roof Components

This section is specifically for homeowners on the South Shore, Fire Island, the barrier beaches, and any area within 2-3 miles of the coast. Salt air does not just affect the shingles. It attacks every metal component in your roofing system.

• Nails and fasteners: Standard galvanized roofing nails corrode in salt air environments within 5-10 years. Stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails are necessary for coastal installations.
• Flashing: Galvanized steel flashing rusts faster near the coast. Aluminum or copper flashing is more appropriate for homes in Amityville, Bay Shore, Lindenhurst, and other waterfront communities.
• Drip edge: Same issue as flashing. Aluminum drip edge holds up far better than steel in salt air.
• Gutter hardware: Gutter screws, hangers, and straps need to be corrosion-resistant. Standard hardware fails faster near the coast. Our gutter installation service uses appropriate materials for your location.
• Vent boots and pipe collars: Rubber vent boots deteriorate faster in salt air and UV exposure. Metal pipe collars last longer in coastal environments.

When getting estimates for a coastal Long Island home, ask your contractor specifically what fasteners and flashing materials they use. If the answer is "standard galvanized," that contractor is not accounting for your coastal environment.

Wind Ratings: What Actually Matters for Long Island

Long Island gets hit by strong winds regularly. Nor'easters bring sustained winds of 40-60 mph with gusts reaching 70-80 mph. Hurricane-strength winds are less common but not unheard of (remember Sandy in 2012).

Here is what the wind ratings mean in practice:

Wind rating is not just about the shingle itself. Installation technique matters just as much. Proper starter strip, correct nail placement (4 nails minimum per shingle in the nail zone, 6 in high-wind zones), and sealed edges all affect real-world wind performance.

Material Lifespan Comparison

Which Material Is Right for Your Home?

Here is our honest recommendation based on what we see working on Long Island:

• Best value for most homeowners: Architectural asphalt shingles from GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed. Proven performance, reasonable cost, wide color selection.
• Best for coastal homes: Standing seam aluminum metal roofing. Resists salt air, handles high winds, lasts 50+ years.
• Best for homeowners staying long-term: Metal roofing (standing seam or metal shingles). Pay more now, never replace again.
• Best for flat or low-slope sections: TPO membrane for new installations, EPDM for budget-conscious repairs.
• Not recommended for Long Island: 3-tab shingles (insufficient wind rating), wood shake (fire risk and high maintenance in our humidity), and clay tile (too heavy for most Long Island roof structures).

Talk to Us About Your Options

At ERS Roofing & Siding, we install architectural shingles, metal roofing, and flat roof systems across Long Island. We will look at your home, assess the existing roof structure, and recommend the material that makes sense for your situation, your location, and your budget. No pressure, no upselling.

We serve all of Nassau and Suffolk County including Babylon, West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Deer Park, Massapequa, and Bay Shore.

Call us at (516) 595-5395 or request a free estimate online.