Membrane roof vs shingles is not a question of which material is better. It is a question of which roof you have. Shingles overlap and shed water, so they need slope. A membrane is one sealed sheet that can sit under standing water, so it belongs on flat and low slope roofs.
Pittsburgh homes face this decision more than most. A brick four square in Bellevue may have a steep shingle roof, a flat rubber porch roof and a low slope rear addition on one house. We install all of these from our shop on Perry Highway in West View, and this guide compares the roof materials we install: asphalt shingles, EPDM rubber membrane, 2 ply low slope systems, standing seam metal and slate. It also covers rubber shingles, the membrane under shingles, and what drives the cost of a rubber roof vs shingles.
Membrane Roof vs Shingles: The Slope Decides
Asphalt shingles are small overlapping pieces nailed to the deck. Water runs down each course and off the edge before it can work back under the shingle above, but only when the roof is steep enough. Manufacturers require a minimum pitch of 2:12 (two inches of rise per foot) with extra underlayment, and most want 4:12 or more for a standard installation.
A membrane roof is a continuous waterproof sheet, usually EPDM rubber, TPO, PVC or a 2 ply modified bitumen system. It is glued or fastened to insulation and cover board, and the seams are taped or welded. Because it is sealed rather than overlapped, it can hold ponding water for hours after a storm and still stay dry underneath.
Put shingles on a flat porch roof and water sits on the joints, soaks into the mat and finds the nails. Put a membrane on a steep roof and it works, but it looks out of place on a house and gives up the long warranties that complete shingle systems carry. The slope decides.
| Material | Best roof pitch | Typical service life in Pittsburgh | Where we install it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | 4:12 and steeper (2:12 minimum with added underlayment) | 20 to 30 years for architectural shingles, longer for premium lines | Main roofs on nearly every house type in the region |
| EPDM rubber membrane | Flat to about 2:12 | 20 to 30 years | Flat porch roofs, additions, garages, row houses, commercial buildings |
| 2 ply low slope system | Flat to about 2:12 | 20 to 25 years | Low slope roofs that take foot traffic or need a granulated surface |
| Standing seam metal | 3:12 and steeper (lower with proper seams) | 40 to 60 years | Full roofs, porch roofs, accent roofs, log and farmhouse styles |
| Natural slate | Steep roofs | 75 to 100 years or more | Older North Side, Sewickley and Fox Chapel homes; we repair and restore existing slate |
Rubber Roof vs Shingles for Pittsburgh Homes
When Pittsburgh homeowners search for rubber roof vs shingles they usually mean EPDM, the black rubber membrane you see on porch roofs and flat additions all over the North Hills and the city neighborhoods. We are MuleHide certified and install MuleHide .060 EPDM, the thicker commercial grade sheet, on both houses and commercial buildings.
Here is how the two compare on the things that matter in our climate:
- Freeze and thaw: EPDM stays flexible well below zero and expands and contracts with the roof without cracking. Asphalt shingles get brittle in January, which is why we avoid installing them on the coldest days and why old shingles crack and lose granules faster on north facing slopes.
- Snow load: A membrane roof carries snow until it melts, so it depends on drains, scuppers and gutters staying open. Shingles shed snow and ice toward the eave, which is where ice dams form if the attic is poorly insulated or ventilated.
- Lifespan: Both land in the same 20 to 30 year range when installed correctly. Shingles have the edge in warranty coverage. As an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor we can register a 50 year warranty on a complete Atlas shingle system, which is not available on a rubber roof.
- Repairs: A rubber roof is easy to patch with primer and cover tape. Shingle repairs are simple too, but matching an old color is harder.
On a Mt. Washington job we installed Atlas Black Shadow shingles on the main roof, MuleHide .060 EPDM on the flat section and copper chimney flashing in one project. That mix is the normal answer in Pittsburgh.
What Drives the Cost of a Rubber Roof vs Shingles
The honest answer on the cost of a rubber roof vs shingles is that the two rarely compete for the same roof section. We do not publish price ranges because every roof is measured and priced on its own. What moves the number is the same for both:
- Roof area and pitch. Steeper roofs take longer and need more safety setup. Flat roofs are faster to walk but need insulation, cover board and tapered sections to drain.
- Tear off and decking. Many Pittsburgh homes have two or three layers of old roofing, and rotten plank decking has to be re-sheeted first. On a Morningside job we re-sheeted the entire roof before shingling it.
- Details. Chimneys, skylights, dormers, box gutters, parapet walls and pipe penetrations each add flashing work. Flat roofs leak at details far more often than in the open field.
- Material grade. .060 EPDM costs more than thinner .045 sheet. Premium shingle lines with Scotchgard algae protection cost more than three tab shingles and last longer.
- Ventilation and underlayment. A complete shingle system includes ice and water membrane, synthetic underlayment and vents. Skipping them lowers the quote and shortens the roof.
Every estimate we give is free, written and itemized so you can see those drivers on paper. If the number is larger than expected, our financing options page explains the plans we offer.
Rubber Shingles vs Asphalt Shingles
Rubber shingles are a different product from a rubber roof. They are synthetic shingles molded from recycled rubber and plastic to look like slate or cedar shake, installed on pitched roofs, not flat ones.
Compared with asphalt shingles, rubber shingles are lighter than real slate, handle hail and freeze and thaw well, and carry long warranties. The drawbacks are higher material cost, fewer installers and a shorter track record in our region. For a Pittsburgh home that wants the slate or shake look, we usually recommend a premium architectural shingle such as Atlas StormMaster Shake, standing seam metal, or restoration of the existing slate roof if the house still has one.
Shingle Membrane: The Layer Under Your Shingles
Shingle membrane usually means the self adhering ice and water barrier installed under shingles at the eaves, in valleys and around chimneys and skylights. It is a rubberized asphalt sheet that seals around every nail, and it matters in Pittsburgh because ice dams push meltwater back up under the shingles every winter.
On our shingle jobs the membrane runs from the eave up past the warm wall line, down every valley and around every penetration, with synthetic underlayment over the rest of the deck. If a quote does not list ice and water membrane, ask why.
Best Roofing Materials for Harsh Pittsburgh Winters
Pittsburgh gets lake effect snow, weeks of freeze and thaw, spring hail and humid summers that grow algae on north slopes. These are the residential roofing options we recommend most across the city and the North Hills.
Asphalt shingles
Architectural asphalt shingles are the right answer for most pitched roofs in Pittsburgh. We install complete Atlas systems, including Pinnacle Pristine with Scotchgard protection against black streaks and StormMaster Shake for impact resistance. Recent jobs include Atlas Morning Harvest in Allison Park and Ross Township, Black Shadow in Bellevue and Emsworth, and Weathered Wood in Squirrel Hill. Learn more on our asphalt shingles page.
EPDM rubber and 2 ply low slope
For flat sections we install MuleHide .060 EPDM or a MuleHide 2 ply low slope system, and we coat sound older flat roofs and box gutters with MuleHide silicone. An Observatory Hill home received Atlas Pewter shingles on the main roof and a 2 ply system on the low slope section in one project. See our EPDM roofing page for details.
Standing seam metal
Metal sheds snow, resists hail and lasts two to three times as long as shingles. It is our pick for homeowners staying 30 years or more. We have installed charcoal, dark, copper colored, silver and green standing seam roofs across the North Hills, including Wexford and Bellevue.
Slate
Natural slate outlasts every other material here, and many older homes in Sewickley, Fox Chapel and the North Side still carry their original roofs. The slate rarely fails. The nails, flashing and valleys do. Our repair division restores slate roofs rather than tearing them off.
Materials we do not recommend for a main roof
Rolled roofing is a thin asphalt sheet for sheds. It lasts five to ten years and should not go on a house when EPDM lasts three times as long. Three tab shingles have lower wind ratings and shorter warranties than architectural shingles.
Where Our Roofing Supplies Come From
Some homeowners look for roofing supplies in Pittsburgh PA to buy material and hire labor separately. We advise against it. Atlas and MuleHide warranties require certified installation. We buy through local distributors such as ABC Supply, which gave us its Platinum Level award in 2023 and 2024.
How to Choose a Roofer for Any of These Materials
The material matters less than the hands that install it. Before you sign:
- Confirm the PA Home Improvement Contractor registration on the Pennsylvania Attorney General lookup. Ours is PA174918.
- Ask for the manufacturer certification that matches the material, such as Atlas for shingles or MuleHide for rubber.
- Get the full system in writing: tear off, decking allowance, ice and water membrane, underlayment, ventilation and the registered warranty.
We are BBB A+ accredited, family owned and founded in 2022 by Ryan Malick, who was raised in West View. If your roof is leaking now, start with a roof inspection and we will tell you whether a repair or a replacement makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the disadvantages of a membrane roof?
Seams and flashing are the weak points. If the installer does not clean, prime and roll every seam, water finds it within a few winters. Membranes also puncture more easily than shingles, so HVAC work and dropped tools need care. Ponding water should drain within 48 hours. Black EPDM is plain looking, which is why it is used where the street cannot see it.
What is the typical lifespan of a membrane roof?
A properly installed .060 EPDM roof lasts 20 to 30 years in Pittsburgh. A 2 ply modified bitumen system lasts 20 to 25. Both can be extended with a silicone coating once the surface ages, as long as the seams and insulation are dry. Thinner .045 sheet and poorly detailed roofs fail much sooner.
What is the best roof to have on your house in Pittsburgh?
For most pitched roofs it is an architectural asphalt shingle installed as a complete system with ice and water membrane, underlayment and ventilation. For homeowners staying long term, standing seam metal lasts twice as long. For flat sections, .060 EPDM. For an original slate roof, restoration almost always beats replacement.
What roof shingles should you stay away from?
Avoid three tab shingles on a main roof. They have lower wind ratings, thinner mats and shorter warranties than architectural shingles for a small saving. Avoid discontinued lines sold at discount, because a future repair will not match. Stick with a current architectural line from Atlas, Owens Corning or GAF.
What are the common problems with rubber roofs?
Open seams, shrinkage pulling the membrane away from walls, punctures, clogged drains that leave standing water, and failed flashing at chimneys and parapets. Nearly all trace back to installation or neglected maintenance rather than the material. A yearly walk to clear drains and check seams prevents most leaks, and we handle that during a routine inspection.
What colors does rubber roofing come in?
EPDM is sold in black and white. White EPDM reflects heat and is used on commercial buildings where cooling cost matters. TPO and PVC come in white, gray and tan. For a visible flat roof, a granulated 2 ply cap sheet or a silicone coating offers more color options than bare rubber.
Get a Free Written Estimate
Whether your roof is steep, flat or both, we will measure it, explain the right material for each section and give you an itemized written estimate at no charge. Contact Malick Brothers Exteriors or call 412-616-0191.
