If you’re looking for roof repair or a roof replacement, you may be thinking about using other roofing materials to improve the durability of your roof deck or your energy efficiency. There are plenty of options to choose from, including metal roofing and shingles. But which is the better choice? Here, we’ll take a look at metal roofs vs shingles and the pros and cons of each material.
Metal Roofing
A metal roof comes in flat, metal panels and lays on the roof horizontally. The design features seams that interlock and give off a smoother appearance. The material used for these roofs allows for very minimal maintenance as well as significant durability and protectiveness when strong winds and storms come towards your house.
The different types of metal roofing are corrugated steel, aluminum, tin, and composite metals. Roofing specialists attach metals to the roof structure using thick nails and screws to keep it in place.
Asphalt Shingles
Shingles usually come in sheets, stacks, or rolls. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of shingle roof, but metal shingles are an option. Shingle installation is far easier than the process it takes to install metal roofing. Contractors nail the shingles onto the wooden frame of the roof. They then layer the shingles in a staggered pattern on top of each other.
Pros of Metal Roofs
Metal roofing offers a significant number of benefits, including increased durability and low maintenance costs.
Appearance
The look of traditional metal roofing panels is very distinct. It can come in various colors. It also can be manufactured to look like different materials. It all depends on the aesthetic you are going for. If you’re looking for something that will stand out, a metal roof is a fantastic option.
Durability
If your roof isn’t durable, there are more issues with keeping things out of your house and even keeping them dry. In an emergency, you want to know that you will be safe. A roof that isn’t durable enough during a storm or a disaster will need a roof replacement or repairs. Roofing repairs can be very expensive and cost almost as much as the existing roof installation.
On the other hand, metal roofing is non-absorptive. Also, they can withstand extreme weather like heat and cold, and snow. A residential roofing contractor will use fastening clips or slotted screw holes to install them, so the metal roof stays firmly together.
Typically, metal roofing has a longer life expectancy than shingle roofing and last up to 50 to 70 years, versus shingle roofs, which last up to 20 to 25 years. Durability is the primary reason that homeowners choose metal roofing over shingles.
Fire and Hailstorm Resistant
Both shingle and metal roofing can withstand fire, hail, and other severe weather events. However, metal roofing systems offer better protection. They are better at handling the impact of hailstorms over shingle roofs.
Maintenance
Metal roofing needs less maintenance due to their complex design. Metal roofs cover their rubber pipe boots with metal to help protect the soft rubber from the sun’s damaging rays. Overall, there’s almost no maintenance for metal roofing unless major damage occurs.
Eco-Friendliness
You can easily recycle metal roofing. It’s more common to find metal roofs featuring recycled materials than shingle roofs. Metal roofing also reflects heat. This helps to make the roof cooler and can reduce your mechanical cooling system use by 10 to 25 percent, helping you save money in the long run.
Cons of Metal Roofs
There are plenty of pros to metal roofing, but this medium also has its flaws.
Cost
The average cost for metal roof installation is around 10 to 20 thousand dollars. However, you may save on labor costs, as metal roofs are easier to install than shingles.
Noise
Metal roofing is, obviously, metal, and if anything falls on it, it can cause a lot of loud noises that may not be very pleasant. The noise factor might be an important consideration if you live with animals or small children.
Expansion
Metal expands in the heat, which may break fastenings if they undergo too much pressure. Most expert roofing contractors will ensure this isn’t an issue, but if your roof heats up too quickly, you may experience some issues.
Pros of Shingles
When looking at metal roofs vs shingles, we can’t forget to take the competitor into account! Here are some pros to roofs that use shingles.
Appearance
Shingle roofing materials have different ways of looking like wood shakes or tiles. They also give depth to a home’s appearance. That can give a more unique and intricate style to your shingle roof. Architectural shingles can also up the curb appeal of your home if you decide to sell it.
Cost
Shingle roofing is much more affordable than metal roofing since its the more common roofing material. It costs about 7 to 10 thousand dollars to install an asphalt shingle roof, nearly half the cost of a metal roof. However, this type of roofing project may take significantly longer.
Noise
Shingles are much quieter than metal roofing. Shingles may be the way to go if you don’t like the sound of rain banging on the sheet metal above you.
Retain Heat
If you live in a cooler climate, shingles are better at trapping warm air at the top of your home, which may allow you to spend less on your energy costs during cooler months.
Cons of Shingles
Just like metal roofs, asphalt shingles also have their downsides.
Durability
Asphalt shingle roofs are less durable with extreme heat. They are absorptive, allowing water to go through the roof. They are also more prone to water freezing and drying, which causes a lot of damage to roofs.
Maintenance
With any roof material you install, you need to keep up with the maintenance of your roof to ensure the best quality of your roof. Most asphalt shingle roofing damage involves excess moisture penetrating the roof despite adhesives, metal flashing, and sealants. Sealants can deteriorate over time and rubber pipe boots are also prone to wear and tear.
Eco-Friendliness
Recycling asphalt shingles is a costly process. Shingles also don’t have any feature that makes your house more energy efficient.
Conclusion
When looking at all the pros and cons of metal roofs vs shingles, it might seem that there’s a clear winner. However, both roofing types have their advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on which you prefer and which will be best for your home.
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