Metal roof tiles - the advantages
Metal roof tiles - are light weight, cannot burn, and can be made to resemble wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles and Victorian metal tiles. Some metal roofs are also very easy to install. Metal roofs generally have a very high strength to weight ratio, and are very durable. They also require little maintenance and rarely might they require pressure washing or cleaning.
Since metal roof tiles are lightweight, they can be installed over many existing roofs. Metal roofs with fully interlocking panels can also withstand very high speed winds.
Premium metal roofs are much more expensive than other roofing materials, and this is one of the very few disadvantages of metal roofing.
Wood Roofing - Cedar Shakes or Shingles
Wood roofs look great, but the greatest disadvantage of wood roofing is that it offers limited protection against the elements as it ages. It absorbs moisture and expands at times of high humidity, or it releases moisture and shrinks in drier weather. Wood roofing ma also be flammable.
Concrete roofs
For weather security, concrete roofing requires an underlayment. Also, concrete tiles cannot be used in earthquake prone regions. They tiles are heavy and expensive, and are susceptible to hail damage.
However, concrete tiles are not combustible, and provide a good appearance after installation.