The right roofing material for your home depends on your budget, your roof's pitch and geometry, and how Wisconsin's climate will affect the system over its lifetime. Here's what you need to know about each type before making a decision.
Choose from our selection of roofing materials, each engineered to withstand Wisconsin's challenging weather conditions while enhancing your home's value and curb appeal.
Our roofing team will help you select the ideal material for your Milwaukee home's specific needs, climate requirements, and budget. Free estimate — no commitment required.
Asphalt shingles are the most widely installed residential roofing system in Wisconsin — and for good reason. They perform well in freeze-thaw conditions, come in a wide range of profiles and colors, and deliver a competitive cost-to-lifespan ratio most homeowners can't beat.
Generations installs CertainTeed and TAMKO shingle systems. CertainTeed's Landmark series and TAMKO's Heritage series are our primary products — architectural profiles that provide better wind resistance and longer service life than three-tab shingles. CertainTeed's SureStart Plus and TAMKO's extended coverage warranties are only available through certified installers.
Standard architectural shingles carry 25-to-30-year manufacturer ratings. In Wisconsin's Climate Zone 6, real-world lifespan runs 18 to 25 years on properly installed systems with adequate attic ventilation. Systems installed over inadequate ventilation or compromised decking fail significantly earlier.
Asphalt shingle roofing guide →Metal roofing has grown from a commercial product into a legitimate residential option. For the right home and the right budget, it's a compelling long-term investment. For the wrong application, it's an expensive mistake.
Panels run vertically from ridge to eave with concealed fasteners. Smooth surfaces shed Wisconsin snow cleanly, and the concealed fastener system eliminates the primary failure point of exposed fastener metal. 40-to-70-year lifespans. Limitation: most manufacturers require a minimum 3:12 pitch — low-slope ranch homes may not qualify.
Snow releases from metal panels more readily than from asphalt — a real benefit. The practical question is where that snow lands. On homes with entryways or HVAC below the eave, snow guards are worth discussing during the estimate.
Metal roofing for Wisconsin homes →Wisconsin's specific climate conditions make some materials perform measurably better than others here. These four factors shape every material recommendation we make.
Milwaukee experiences dozens of freeze-thaw transitions annually — expansion and contraction stress at every seam, lap, and penetration. Materials with high thermal movement characteristics require specific installation techniques to handle this stress correctly.
Southeastern Wisconsin sits in a genuine hail corridor. We install CertainTeed's Landmark IR series — Class 4 impact resistance, the highest available — for homeowners in high-frequency hail areas. These may qualify for insurance premium reductions in Wisconsin.
Standard Wisconsin residential construction handles snow loads that exceed asphalt and metal system weight. Metal roofing adds minimal weight. For most Milwaukee-area homes, weight isn't a limiting factor — but snow shedding patterns are worth planning for.
No roofing system performs at rated lifespan over an inadequately ventilated attic. Heat buildup in summer degrades shingles from below. Inadequate winter ventilation creates ice dam conditions under any surface material. We assess ventilation on every estimate.
There's no universal answer — but there's almost always a clear recommendation once we've assessed the specific property.
Architectural asphalt from CertainTeed or TAMKO. Best cost-to-lifespan ratio, proven in Wisconsin's climate, appropriate for most residential pitches and geometries.
Standing seam metal on homes with adequate pitch (min. 3:12). The 40-plus-year design life changes the long-term economics significantly for owners who plan to stay.
Replacement cedar on maintained systems with sound substrate. Conversion to architectural asphalt when the substrate requires full replacement and lower maintenance is the goal.
EPDM or TPO depending on building type and installation year. Maintenance program established from day one — drainage management is non-negotiable in Wisconsin.
The estimate is free. The recommendation is based on your home, your roof, and your situation — not on what produces the highest invoice. Roof replacement in Milwaukee →
Milwaukee County, Waukesha County, and southeastern Wisconsin. Alexis Quesada handles all scheduling personally.
Milwaukee & Waukesha County · Alexis responds personally
[INSERT_ELEMENTOR id="2969"]
This will close in 0 seconds
Ready for Your Free Estimate?
Roofing · Siding · Windows · Remodeling · Southeast Wisconsin
