Yes, you can usually change roof materials when you replace the roof, and many Colorado Springs homeowners do. Before you choose, check four things: whether the framing can carry the new weight, which inspections the new material triggers with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), whether it meets the City of Colorado Springs’ Class A fire rule, and whether your HOA approves it. Asphalt to metal or synthetic is usually simple. Asphalt to tile or slate needs a structural check first.
What changes when you switch
| Switching to | Weight vs asphalt | Inspection notes (PPRBD) | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural or Class 4 asphalt | Similar | No mid-roof inspection for typical asphalt | Not below 2:12 pitch; full tear-off required |
| Standing seam metal | Lighter | Permit and final inspection | Panel profile, snow guards over doors and walkways |
| Metal shingles, direct to deck | Lighter | No mid-roof inspection | HOA style approval |
| Stone-coated steel (shake, tile, slate looks) | Lighter | Permit and final | Granule finish; HOA approval |
| Synthetic shake or slate | Similar | Permit and final | Product must be Class A rated in the city |
| Concrete or clay tile | Much heavier | Dry-in inspection after underlayment, battens and flashing, before tile is stocked | Framing check; walking it later breaks tiles |
| Natural slate | Much heavier | Permit and final | Framing check; specialist install |
PPRBD’s reroof guidelines also require that all existing layers come off before new asphalt goes on, that drip edge is installed at eaves and rakes on shingle roofs, and that materials are not stocked on the driveway or roof before the permit is issued.
Material notes from the field
Asphalt shingles are still the most common choice: affordable, many colors, easy to repair. They have the shortest life of the common materials and are the most exposed to hail, which is why many owners now choose an impact-resistant (Class 4) shingle. See is a Class 4 shingle worth it.
Metal sheds snow, resists fire, and lasts a long time, but hail can dent it and dents are often treated as cosmetic by insurers. Read metal roofing in Colorado Springs before deciding.
Tile gives a Mediterranean look and a long life, but it is heavy, fragile underfoot, and its underlayment wears out before the tile. On a tile job we tear off to the deck, install new underlayment and battens, and the roof is inspected before any tile is loaded. See tile roofing in Colorado Springs.
Synthetic and stone-coated steel products copy the look of shake, tile or slate at a lighter weight and with a Class A fire rating, which makes them the usual answer when someone wants a wood look in the city.
Questions to settle before you sign
- Has someone checked the attic framing for the new material’s weight?
- Does the HOA need to approve the product and color, and how long does that take?
- Is the new material rated Class A where your home is?
- What happens to gutters, vents and flashing when the roof changes?
- How does the warranty change (manufacturer and workmanship)?
To budget, read how much a roof costs and how long each material lasts. If you are deciding whether to replace at all, see reasons Colorado Springs homeowners replace a roof early, and for what the job feels like from the homeowner’s side, read a roof replacement from two perspectives.
See your options side by side
Integrity Roofing and Painting is a veteran-owned company, family-run since 1990, and an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. We bring Good, Better and Best options to your kitchen table with upfront pricing. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection; we get back to you the same business day. Financing is available if it helps.
Sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024).
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