Homeowners face an overwhelming selection process when picking a roofing material for their household. However, two roofing materials consistently stand out due to their popularity, affordability, and performance in the USA: asphalt shingles and metal roofing. Homeowners can select the appropriate roofing solution by examining both the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Choosing either asphalt or metal roofing requires homeowners to face a challenging decision when installing new roofing or changing old roofing materials, or when planning future roof projects. As this complete guide explores every key factor, as well as costs, it evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of these two roofing options for you to decide what will match your budget and concept for your home.
Why Roofing Material Matters
Your metal roof is the first defence keeping your house against the wind and the rain, as well as other natural elements. It is essential for saving the building’s structure, for the improvement of energy efficiency, and for a safe and comfortable environment for families. Aside from protecting your home as well as those that live in it, your roof comes in handy in making your home more appealing, as it affects its curb appeal and market value. Making a wrong decision on your roofing material is, therefore, critical to your home’s durability and maintenance.
Both asphalt shingles and metal roofing offer great protection against the elements, and with proper care, they should last decades. Still, there are clear differences in cost, durability, look, and performance in energy efficiency.
Asphalt Roofing: A Time-Tested Option
What Is Asphalt Roofing?
With a few exceptions, asphalt roofing, commonly referred to as “asphalt shingles”, is very popular in the United States. These roofing materials have a fibreglass or organic felt base, are asphalt-treated and crowned with granules of mineral materials for increased protection. From the traditional 3-tab shingles to more substantial architectural choices, there is a wide variety of styles to choose from. Durability and affordability, with some ease of installation, have made asphalt shingles a long-time favourite for residential roofing.
Other than cost-saving, asphalt shingles also provide a robust warranty period and will protect your home from the elements, especially adverse weather conditions such as rain, hail, and wind. Asphalt shingles continue to be selected by homeowners residing in the suburbs, in addition to those residing in rural areas, for their trustworthiness and familiarity.
The Pros of Asphalt Roofing
- Affordability
The price of asphalt roofing is usually an issue of affordability that makes it desirable among many homeowners as a roofing material. As a rule, asphalt shingles have an installation cost that lies in the $4 – $9 per square foot range, which keeps them competitive with the budget other roofing solutions offer. Available in most price ranges, asphalt shingles are popular with homeowners on the lookout for the least expensive choice.
- Easy Installation
Asphalt shingles are lightweight and are easily handled, and hence are easier and quicker to install when compared to other roofing materials. Most roofing professionals are veterans of asphalt shingles because this is common. Several roofing professionals are acquainted with asphalt shingles, thus making labor costs cheaper and installation times shorter. Depending on the extent of the project, most homeowners will be able to complete an asphalt roof in a few days or less.
- Variety of Styles and Colors
To make it simple to find a roof that complements the overall appearance of any style of home, a wide range of style and color choices are available among the asphalt shingles. The homeowner has the luxury of going for sleek uniform roofing with asphalt shingles or alternatively, choose from an unlimited array of textures and styles that will go with the design of their property.
- Moderate Lifespan
Although their durability compared to some other options is not stunning, they’re reliable for many years. The duration of an asphalt roof typically varies between 15 and 30 years, although this may differ depending on the type of shingle and climate in your region. Due to their strong construction, architectural shingles usually can even outlive standard asphalt shingles and survive well into the 30-year range.
- Relatively Low Maintenance
Although asphalt roofing does not provide maintenance-free roofs, they are maintained more easily in the long run compared to many other roofing systems. Most asphalt roofs can be kept in good condition without additional effort if the roofs are inspected and cleaned at regular intervals. And in case shingles get damaged, it’s easy and not expensive to replace the affected ones.
The Cons of Asphalt Roofing
- Relatively Shorter Lifespan
Although asphalt shingles are supposed to be durable for decades, they are not as long-lasting as other roofing materials such as metal, tile, or slate. When exposed to sunlight for a long period, at high temperatures, and with water, asphalt shingles can suffer high wear and tear. response.
- Susceptibility to Wind and Hail Damage
Although asphalt shingles can withstand some wind and hail, they will easily be damaged in violent storms. Aggressive bursts of winds may carry the shingles away, causing broken or displaced pieces, whereas hail may leave dents or puncture the roof’s surface. If you are in a place where storms are common, asphalt shingles may not provide the same shelter that more robust roof coverings like metal do.
- Environmental Impact
Asphalt shingles are byproducts of petroleum products, which shows that these are not among the most environmentally friendly roofing decisions. A challenge involved in replacing asphalt shingles, which is frequently a factor in landfill waste, remains the fact that such materials are difficult to recycle. For those who are concerned about sustainability, other roofing materials besides asphalt shingles may maybe better for the environment.
- Limited Energy Efficiency
Asphalt shingles are not as good as metal at controlling the internal temperature and saving energy. Due to the fact that Asphalt shingles are heat-retaining, they sometimes need more energy for cooling during the warmer months. If you reside in warm weather, this can bring significant fluctuations in the energy bill.
Metal Roofing: The Premium Choice
What Is Metal Roofing?
The attractiveness of using metal roofs has increased as a result of their durability, efficiency, and modern, attractive design. With metals such as steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc, metal roofs are fabricated in various designs such as standing seam panels, metal shingles, and tiles.
These roofs have outstanding weather resistance and can last many years compared to asphalt shingles.
While having a metal roof would cost more to install, it also has a higher lifetime, enhanced energy performance, and low maintenance. Over the past few years, advancements in metal roofing have now allowed the choice of designs that perfectly coordinate with various architectural styles.
The Pros of Metal Roofing
- Exceptional Durability and Longevity
The thing that makes metal roofing stand out from the rest is its superior wear-and-tear resisting capacity. Extreme winds and high rainfall, snow, and hail are all issues that metal roofs are generally known to withstand effortlessly. Unlike shingles made from asphalt, metal roofing is not bothered by cracking, curling, and wearing, and possesses a very good fireproof ability as well as being mold and mildew-free. An appropriate installation of a metal roof can still last up to 40 – 70 years, capable of serving homeowners for decades.
- Energy Efficiency
The reflective attributes of metal roofing play a major role in its highly efficient energy operations. While asphalt shingles will retain heat and increase energy usage during warm months, metal roofs will reflect solar energy to require minimal air conditioning. This can bring significant energy savings, especially during the heat. Some metal roofing systems can earn the Energy Star rating and save homeowners up to 25% on their bills.
- Low Maintenance
The maintenance requirements for a metal roof are very low throughout its useful life. While asphalt shingles will need continuous restoration and possibly replacement at some time, the metal roofs are constructed to resist damage and remain in great form with little maintenance. Metal roofs are a low-maintenance roof option to requires periodic maintenance to keep it looking nice and free of debris.
- Sustainability and Recyclability
Since metal roofing is built from recyclable materials, it is a better environmental alternative than asphalt shingles. When your metal roof has fulfilled its purpose, it can be completely recycled and put back into use to reduce the damage to the environment.
The Cons of Metal Roofing
- Higher Upfront Cost
Even though it is durable and has a high energy performance, metal roofing usually costs more upfront than asphalt shingles. The installed cost of a metal roofing will be somewhere between $8 and $16 a square foot, significantly more than asphalt shingles. The initial cost may be an issue for some, yet the considerable savings on the cost of energy and the maintenance charges over a period should be considered.
- Noise During Rain and Hail
Wind and rain can make heavy metal roofing audible, even loud. The sounds caused by rain on a metal roof may be detectable and an annoyance for certain homeowners. However, this problem can be solved by putting sturdy underlayment under the roof to reduce noise.
- Potential for Dents and Scratches
Despite the fact that metal roofing is constructed to handle a lot of wear and tear, it is not invulnerable to damage. Hard hail, trees, or debris might end up causing the roof to have dents or even scratches. These small imperfections on the roof hardly ever impair its effectiveness, but they can wreak havoc on its appearance.
- Complex Installation Process
A metal roof installation requires skills that ordinary roofing contractors might lack. That is why the associated installation costs may be higher, and it may be necessary to wait longer before a competent contractor turns up.
Aesthetic Considerations: Which Look Suits Your Home?
Visually, the condition of your roof plays quite an important role in the general appearance of your home, and personal taste frequently dictates what one chooses.
- Asphalt Shingles: Traditional appeal that goes well with many styles, like Colonial, Cape Cod, and Ranch, is one of the reasons asphalt shingles continue to be a popular roof option. Their classic look, coinciding with a variety of color options, makes them excellent at matching or complementing the existing color scheme of your home’s exterior paint, brickwork, or siding.
- Metal Roofing: As contrasted to asphalt, a metal roof provides an elegant, modern design. Standing seam metal roofs come with rugged vertical lines that can completely change a home’s appearance and send its modern message. Metal tiles and shingles can mimic slate, cedar shake, or clay tile, thus combining form and function, without sacrificing strength.
Costs: Asphalt vs Metal Roofing
Asphalt Roofing Costs
As explained before, the asphalt roofing provides cheaper costs than other options. The usual cost per square foot for installing asphalt shingles ranges from $4 to $9, depending on the grade of shingles, installation difficulty, and local pricing.
Metal Roofing Costs
Although metal roofing is expensive initially, its durability and high energy efficiency will prove a good purchase. Although a normal installation price is $8 to $16 per square foot for metal roofing, the true cost may be affected by the type of metal used, the complexity of the setup, and your location.
Conclusion
The choice between asphalt or metal roofing will highly depend on the financial budget, the design of your house, and the future needs that you want to address. If affordability and ease of installation with a reasonable lifespan are what you want, asphalt shingles are the way to go. If you appreciate a roof that is meant to last for years, requires little maintenance, and improves the energy efficiency of your home, then a metal roof may represent this optimal solution.
