Short answer
Below 2 in 12, shingles are not an option: use roll roofing or a membrane. The model code allows asphalt shingles only from 2 in 12, with double underlayment up to 4 in 12. At 4 in 12 and steeper on a house, shingles usually win on life and looks. Roll roofing wins on cost and speed for sheds, outbuildings and low slope roofs where appearance matters less.
Side by side
Roll roofing vs shingles
| Mineral roll roofing | Asphalt shingles | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum slope (model code) | 1 in 12 | 2 in 12, with double underlayment up to 4 in 12 |
| Typical maker minimum | 2 in 12 on many wrappers | Per shingle maker |
| Life (estimates) | About 5 to 15 years | Up to about 40 years with maintenance |
| Upfront cost | Lower | Higher |
| Look | Plain, flat sheets | Textured, many styles |
| DIY effort | Fast on small roofs | More pieces, more cuts |
| HOA | Often not allowed on visible roofs | Usually allowed |
Code slopes from the roll roofing (R905.5) and asphalt shingle (R905.2) handouts. Life, cost and HOA notes from Hunker. Wrapper slope from GAF and TAMKO.
Which to choose
- Shed or outbuilding, any slope over 2 in 12: roll roofing, unless you want it to match the house. See shed roofing.
- Low slope porch or garage under 2 in 12: not shingles. Use a peel-and-stick system or EPDM.
- House roof at 4 in 12 or more: shingles, in nearly every case.
- House roof between 2 and 4 in 12: shingles with double underlayment are allowed by the model code; a self-adhered membrane is the low slope alternative. Get quotes for both.
Money question? The roll roofing cost guide has the numbers and their sources.
Questions people ask
Is roll roofing better than shingles?
Not in general. Roll roofing is cheaper and faster and works on lower slopes. Shingles last longer and look better on steeper roofs. Hunker notes shingle roofs can last up to 40 years with good maintenance, against 5 to 15 years for asphalt roll roofing.
Is roll roofing cheaper than shingles?
Usually, for both materials and labor; Hunker lists it as costing less than asphalt shingles for both. Because it lasts fewer years, the cost per year of service is closer than the upfront price suggests.
Can I use shingles on a low slope roof?
Only down to 2 in 12 under the model code, and between 2 and 4 in 12 the code requires a double layer of underlayment. Below 2 in 12 use roll roofing, a self-adhered system or a membrane.
Will my HOA allow roll roofing?
Many do not on visible roofs, Hunker notes. Check your covenants before buying, especially for a garage or house roof that faces the street.
Sources
- City of Hopkins, MN, Mineral surface roll roofing (IRC R905.5) handout
- City of Hopkins, MN, Asphalt shingles (IRC R905.2) handout
- Hunker, A homeowner’s guide to roll roofing
- GAF, Mineral Guard residential roll roofing application instructions (maker, archived copy)
- TAMKO, Fiberglass slate surface roll roofing application instructions (maker)
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Products and listings change; check the data sheet and wrapper before you buy, follow the maker’s instructions, and check your local building code.