Concrete and clay tile is the dominant roofing material across Gilbert's master-planned communities. The tile itself is nearly permanent. The waterproof underlayment underneath does the actual work of keeping water out of the home — and it's the component that fails in Arizona's climate.

Shingle is standard on the older Heritage District homes and on a fair number of newer Gilbert developments. Modern architectural shingle is a proven system when it's installed with the right underlayment, ventilation, and flashing detail for Arizona's climate.

Spray polyurethane foam is common on low-slope Gilbert roofs — contemporary custom homes, flat sections on mid-century modern rebuilds, and a lot of Arizona commercial. Properly maintained, a foam roof lasts decades. Properly maintained means a recoat every 4–6 years.

Standing seam and architectural metal is an increasingly common choice on contemporary Gilbert remodels, custom homes, accessory structures, and a few commercial buildings. Installed correctly, a metal roof is a fifty-year roof.