When it’s time to replace your roof, you will need to decide on what material to use. Asphalt shingles and metal roofing are two popular choices.
Shingle and metal roofing are both great options to choose for your project. However, there are distinct advantages, disadvantages, and differences to consider before you decide what to use.
In this article, Gotcha Covered Contracting compare asphalt to metal in terms of cost, installation, durability, energy efficiency, and maintenance among other factors to help you make an informed choice.
Cost of an Asphalt Roof vs Metal Roof
While asphalt shingles present a low upfront cost, they have high long-term costs. They are prone to damage and will require repairs and replacements more often. Conversely, metal attracts a high upfront cost and low long-term cost as it is hard-wearing and can withstand some of the harshest weather conditions.
Installation
It is easier to install asphalt shingles than a metal roof. However, due to the weight of shingles, you may need to remove the older roofing materials first. The fact that installation is easier, even when you have to strip the previous shingles, means that installing asphalt shingles can take as little as a day depending on the size of your house.
Metal roofing is generally lighter and you can install it directly over the old roof. Even so, roofing with metal takes longer. This is mainly because you have to lay plywood 4 or oriented strand board (OSB) beneath the metal to eliminate the added noise of metal.
Energy Efficiency
Metal roofing can lower your energy bills by about 40% in the summer because the reflective surface minimizes the transfer of heat into your house.
Conversely, asphalt shingles absorb solar energy and transfer it through the roof into the house. This makes your home’s cooling system work harder in hot weather. For this reason, asphalt shingles are not energy efficient outside of temperate climates.
Asphalt shingles perform better in the winter. They utilize the heat absorbed from the winter sunlight to make your home warmer. Nonetheless, the annual energy usage will still be lower with metal roofing than with asphalt.
Maintenance
In metal roofing, most of the metal is made in sheets. These sheets must be replaced that way, making repairs much more difficult.
Conversely, individual asphalt shingles are easier and cheaper to repair or replace when damaged. Nonetheless, metal requires little maintenance and needs to be repaired much less frequently.
Durability
A metal roof can last for at least 60 years with little maintenance. In fact, most brands of metal roofing come with a 50-year warranty. An asphalt roof, on the other hand, will need to be replaced at least two times in a 60-year period. Asphalt roofs have warranties between 20 and 25 years.
Besides being prone to hail and high wind damage, asphalt shingles can also accumulate mold, algae, or mildew if they don’t get sufficient sunlight. Conversely, metal roofs can withstand high winds and stormy weather. They are also resistant to molds, mildews, and bugs.
Property Value
Metal roofing is hard-wearing and energy-efficient. As such, it should increase your home’s resale value. According to some estimations, the resale value of a house with a metal roof will increase by 1 to 6% over a house with an asphalt roof. However, the metal roofing must look attractive to the buyer.
Conclusion
Metal roofing has far more advantages than asphalt roofing and should be considered the roofing material of choice if it falls within your budget. It is more durable, more energy-efficient, easier to maintain, and has a better resale value. However, if you are still unsure of what type of roof to buy, get in touch with the experts at Gotcha Covered Contracting.
