Roofing shingles are flat or curved tiles that interlock and overlap in a way that channels water off a pitched roof. Shingles are made from materials that vary in cost, weight, durability, color, and architectural style. In roofing a house with tiles, one would want to consider their budget, climate, the roof's pitch, and how they would like the end result to compliment their home's design.

The use of shingles is reserved for roofs with sloping sides that are steep enough to shed water into a gutter system by gravity alone. There are other roofing materials, such as metal flashing or sheets of PVC, that would be appropriate for flat or shallow roofs. Most problems with a new roof, like leaking, can be traced to improper installation, not flawed materials. Make sure you hire professional roofers to help you choose the appropriate tile. Then monitor their proper installation of special rafters, flashing, and the shingles themselves. Problems often arise around fireplace chimneys or other vents.

Many materials are well suited to serve as weatherproof, durable, beautiful shingles. Ceramic or clay tiles come in an elongated S-shape to top Spanish-style adobe houses. Slate comes in a variety of colors, from blue to green to gray to tan, and lasts as long as one hundred years. But, like ceramic tiles, they are extravagantly priced and require an extra-strong roof since they are very heavy. Lighter alternatives, such as asphalt shingles, can mimic both the color and the fire-retardant rating of those choices.

The standard asphalt shingles, also known as composite or fiberglass, are made by infusing a paper or fiberglass base with asphalt. Then one side is sprayed with even more granules of a mineral of the desired color. A dependable choice, they are affordable and last 15-20 years. A more creative alternative to these plain shingles would be wood shake or copper squares. Wood shake might be perfect for a log cabin, as long as it is not in an area at risk for wildfires. Metal tiles made out of steel, aluminum, or copper make a strong design statement, as they shine in the sunlight. These options are more expensive, but would complement a designer home.