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For a typical Huntington home, asphalt shingles are $9,000-$15,000, metal is $17,000-$30,000+, cedar shake is $15,000-$30,000+, tile is $18,000-$35,000+, and natural slate is $27,000-$50,000+. Material drives most of that spread, but so does the roof's exposure to the weather near Long Island Sound.
This guide breaks down what each material costs to install in Huntington, Melville, Dix Hills, Northport, and surrounding areas; how each holds up to nor'easters and salt air, and which makes sense for your specific house.
We are an insured and licensed roofing contractor in Huntington, New York, so the data we share below is specific to the area and verified through local quotes and prices.
Roof Material Cost Comparison in Huntington, NY at a Glance
These ranges assume a standard installation. Steep pitches, multiple dormers, and tear-off of old layers-common on the older colonials around Huntington Village push toward the top of each range or past it. Get an instant quote once you've picked a direction, and we'll give you a realistic number for your roof.
Asphalt Shingles
Cost in Huntington: $3.50-$6.00 per sq. ft., or roughly $9,000-$15,000 total for an average-sized home. Architectural shingles sit at the higher end of that range; basic 3-tab sits at the bottom.
Lifespan: 20-30 years, depending on the shingle grade and how well the attic is ventilated.
How it holds up here: Asphalt does fine on Long Island as long as it's installed right and the attic is properly vented. The issue isn't the material-it's humidity. Long Island's summers are humid enough that algae streaking shows up on north-facing slopes within a few years if the shingle isn't algae-resistant.
Wind is the other big factor because standard shingles are rated only for 60-70 mph, which covers most storms but not a direct hit from a nor'easter. Ask for a shingle rated to at least 110 mph if your roof faces the water or sits in an exposed spot in Dix Hills or Northport.
Verdict: The right call if you're budget-constrained, selling within 10 years, or your existing roof structure isn't a great candidate for a heavier material. We install asphalt shingles as our most common replacement in Huntington for exactly this reason.
Metal Roofing
Cost in Huntington: $6.00-$16.00 per sq. ft., or $17,000-$30,000+ total. Exposed-fastener panel systems sit at the low end. True standing seam-concealed fasteners, interlocking panels-runs closer to the top, sometimes higher on complex rooflines.
Lifespan: 40-70 years. Aluminum won't rust, which matters this close to salt water.
How it holds up here: Standing seam is rated for wind well above what a nor'easter throws at you; it sheds snow instead of holding it, and it doesn't absorb the moisture that drives algae and moss growth on shingles and shakes. For a Northport home facing the harbor, it's the material that gets asked about least often after installation-which is the point.
A note on the "metal costs double or triple" claim: It's true, but the multiplier depends entirely on system type and roof complexity. A simple gable roof with exposed-fastener panels might run 1.5-2x as much as an asphalt quote. A cut-up roof with dormers and valleys, installed in true standing seam, can run 3x or more-because standing seam is labor-intensive, not because of the panel cost itself. If a metal quote is coming in at 4x or higher and your roof is a straightforward gable, get a second bid.
Verdict: If you're not moving and you're within a mile or two of the water, metal is the material you might want to try. Consult with a roofer before the decision.
Cedar Shake and Shingles
Cost in Huntington: $8.00-$14.00 per sq. ft., or $15,000-$30,000+ total.
Lifespan: 30-40 years with premium-grade, certified cedar and consistent maintenance. Lower-grade cedar can cup or warp in as little as 5-8 years-the grade you buy matters more with this material than any other on this list.
How it holds up here: Cedar is the material most affected by Long Island's climate, for better and worse. It's the classic look for the older homes around Huntington Village, and it ages into a silver-gray patina that a lot of owners want specifically.
The tradeoff is moisture. Humid summers and shaded, tree-covered lots-common in parts of Dix Hills-accelerate moss and algae growth if the roof isn't treated and doesn't have good airflow underneath it.
It's also the only material on this list with a real fire-code consideration; untreated cedar is not the material to install without a fire-retardant treatment.
Verdict: Worth it if the look matters to you and you're willing to keep up with maintenance. Not the low-maintenance choice on this list-don't buy it expecting one.
Clay and Concrete Tile
Cost in Huntington: $10.00-$20.00 per sq. ft., or $18,000-$35,000+ total.
Lifespan: 50-100 years.
How it holds up here: Tile handles wind and moisture well, and it's not a material that's going to grow algae the way cedar or asphalt can. The real constraint is structure. Tile is heavy, often 600-1,500 lbs per roofing square, and most homes in this area weren't framed with that load in mind. Before you get attached to a tile roof, you need a structural evaluation of your house.
Verdict: A strong material on paper that's a poor fit for a lot of Huntington-area homes simply because of what the roof structure was built to carry. Worth pricing out only after a structural check.
Natural Slate
Cost in Huntington: $13.00-$30.00+ per sq. ft., or $27,000-$50,000+ total. This is the material where cost climbs fastest with roof complexity-expect real quotes toward the top of this range or above it on anything but a simple roofline.
Lifespan: 75-100+ years. It's genuinely possible this is the last roof your house ever needs.
How it holds up here: Slate is about as close to indestructible as roofing gets-fireproof, essentially impervious to wind and moisture, and it's the historically correct choice for some of the older properties around Huntington Village and Northport's waterfront core.
The tradeoffs are weight (structural reinforcement is often required, same as tile) and installer availability. Slate is not a material every roofing crew installs correctly, and a bad slate installation is expensive to fix.
Verdict: Can be the right choice if your budget and roof structure support it. Make sure whoever you hire has verifiable slate experience.
Lifetime Cost: What Each Material Actually Costs Over 30 Years
Upfront price and lifetime cost are two different numbers.
These are directional estimates, because they don't account for inflation on materials and labor, which historically pushes future replacement costs higher.
Why Huntington, NY Costs Run Above the National Average
Three things push local pricing above the national numbers you'll find in generic cost guides:
Labor rates. Long Island labor costs more than most of the country, and roofing is a labor-heavy trade - on a standing seam job, labor can be the majority of the bid.
Coastal exposure. Homes within a few miles of the Sound or the harbor need heavier-duty underlayment, better fastening schedules, and materials rated for higher wind-all of which add cost that a generic national estimate won't include.
Local guidelines. Parts of Huntington Village and Northport's historic waterfront sit in areas with informal or formal expectations around visible materials-bright metal panels or certain tile colors can draw pushback in these pockets. If your home is in one of these areas, confirm what's allowed before you fall in love with a material. A roof inspection is also the point where we flag this, along with anything the roof deck is hiding.
Matching Material to Your Neighborhood
Huntington Village. Older colonials, closer lot spacing, and a real premium on matching the historic character of the block. Asphalt, cedar shake, and slate are the materials that fit visually and hold their value here. If you're in this area, check our repair-or-replace breakdown before assuming a full replacement is the only option.
Melville. Newer construction and larger roof footprints mean material cost differences show up in bigger dollar swings. Architectural asphalt and standing seam are the two that get quoted most often here - asphalt for cost efficiency on a large roof, metal for owners planning to stay long-term. See our roofing services in Melville for what we typically see on this style of home.
Dix Hills. Our experience with Dix Hills roofing shows larger lots and more complex rooflines here (more dormers, more valleys), which is exactly the condition that widens the price gap between materials. Get itemized quotes here specifically so you can see how much of the number is material versus the extra labor your roofline requires.
Northport. Waterfront and near-harbor properties take the most direct hit from salt air and wind. This is why the Northport roofing scene has turned to metal or slate recently - both resist moisture and corrosion that shorten the lifespan of cheaper materials the fastest.
A note on asphalt specifically. Across all four of these neighborhoods, asphalt is still what most Huntington-area homeowners end up choosing, regardless of the material breakdowns above. That's because it's the material that fits most budgets and most rooflines, and it's what gets requested most often.
Proper installation matters most. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, we’ve been vetted for top-tier quality and can offer stronger manufacturer warranties than standard installers. If you choose asphalt shingles, like most homeowners, the installer determines whether your roof will last without issues in year eight.
Look at our work and customer reviews, check financing options if a premium material is out of pocket-cash reach, and schedule an appointment to discuss your roof’s specific case.
Insurance and Resale
Some New York insurance carriers have started tightening terms on aging asphalt roofs in storm-exposed coastal areas, and several offer real premium discounts-often 20-30%-for impact-rated or metal roofing. If your roof is over 15 years old and you're on or near the water, it's worth a call to your carrier before you assume your current policy terms hold at renewal.
On resale, most homeowners recoup a meaningful share of roof replacement cost at sale, and that recovery tends to run higher for durable, low-maintenance materials than for a roof a buyer's inspector flags as near end-of-life.
If your roof is already showing granule loss, curling, or recurring leaks, it's cheaper to deal with it on your terms now than to negotiate it off your sale price later-see our piece on common causes of roof leaks if you're not sure what you're looking at.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest roofing material that still holds up to nor'easters?
Wind-rated architectural asphalt shingles rated at 110 mph or higher are the most affordable option that still performs reasonably well in a direct storm. Standard 3-tab shingles are not the right choice for an exposed or waterfront lot.
Do cedar-shake roofs require more maintenance in humid climates?
Yes. Cedar requires more upkeep than any other material on this list-periodic treatment against moss and algae, and attention to ventilation underneath the shakes. Skip the maintenance, and you'll see problems well before the material's rated lifespan.
Does roofing material affect home insurance in New York?
It can. Some carriers offer discounts for impact-rated or metal roofs, particularly in storm-prone coastal areas, and some have started limiting terms on older asphalt roofs in those same areas. Check with your carrier directly-coverage varies by policy.
Can the structure of my Huntington home support a tile or slate roof?
Not automatically. Both materials are significantly heavier than asphalt or metal, and many homes in this area weren't framed for that load. A structural evaluation, not just a roofing quote, is the right first step before committing to either material.
