When you decide that your roof needs to be replaced, and you call up your local roofing contractor, you may not know what kind of roofing material works best for your home or building. There are so many options out there, and while this is great, it can be confusing and overwhelming to try to weigh all the options with their advantages and disadvantages. The roofing experts at Rock Solid Exteriors understand the struggle, and are here for you. We will break down each of your options and help you decide the roofing material that you feel is best for you. In this blog, we are discussing asphalt shingles vs metal roofing.
Metal
There are numerous advantages to metal roofing. These include:
Lightweight – It may not seem true, but metal roofing is incredibly lightweight. It’s easier for contractors installing your roof to take pieces up and down your roof during the installation process. In addition, the weight of the metal roofing doesn’t put unnecessary stress on the building or home’s structure.- Long-lasting – The lifespan of metal roofing is at least 50 years. Shingles have a much shorter lifespan, approximately 20 years.
- Lower long-term cost – Metal roofing is less expensive in the long-term. This is because of how long one metal roof lasts, outlasting approximately three asphalt roofs.
- Fire resistant – Metal roofing is class A fire rate and noncombustible. This means that it is the most resistant to catching fire as opposed to asphalt shingle roofing.
- Weather-proof – Metal, compared with other roofing material, is the strongest and most durable. This is important especially when it comes to the weather. Metal roofing is designed to hold up during strong winds, pouring rain showers, snow storms, hail and ice, and extreme cold and heat.
- Environmentally-friendly – Metal roofing is recyclable, meaning anything leftover can be used again. In addition, if the underlay is made of polypropylene, it can be recycled as well.
- Increased property value – Because it has a higher cost in the short-run, a building or home with a metal roof has a higher property value. In addition, if your roof is in good condition and doesn’t need to be replaced, that increases your home’s value and the likelihood that your home will sell.
- Low maintenance – Metal roofs require minimal upkeep. Maintenance for them often looks like simply looking for leaves, branches, and other debris that could get suck on the roof and in the gutters.
Some disadvantages to metal roofing are:
- Higher one-time cost – Metal roofing is more expensive upfront than shingle roofing. Labor may additionally be more expensive.
- More labor intensive – Metal roofing is more difficult to install. It requires a trained contractor, and there is no room for error. This means it’s generally more labor intensive and time-consuming.
Shingles
There are also numerous advantages to shingles. These include:
- Economical short-term – In terms of upfront costs, asphalt shingles are much less expensive than metal roofing.
- Easier to install and replace – Shingles require less extensive labor and less time to install than metal roofing. They come immediately ready to be nailed to the roof deck.
- Less expensive repairs – Shingles are also much easier to fix. They are easily removed one at a time, and require fewer materials to fix them.
- More experienced installers – Most roofing installers are trained and experienced working with shingles.
Disadvantages include:
- Shorter life cycle – Most shingle roofs only last about 25 years maximum. Roof replacements and repair are very common with shingled roofs.
- Higher long-term cost – They may be cheaper in the beginning, but over time shingles are more costly. This is because of repair and future roof replacements.
- Intrusive installation process – If shingles are improperly installed, it could compromise the structure of your home because installing them is an intrusive process.
When it comes to your roof, trust the expert roofing contractors at Rock Solid Exteriors and get in touch today.
