Your home’s roof plays a crucial role in the overall structure of your property. Therefore, it’s something you need to think about carefully. Likely, you will be presented with many choices, but it usually comes down to these two—metal roofing and asphalt shingles. Are you torn between the two? You’ve come to the right page.
Here’s a comprehensive guide you can use to choose between asphalt and metal roofing.
Table of Contents
Asphalt Shingles
You can call asphalt shingles the most common type of roof that you’ll see on homes today. It’s not mainly made of asphalt as other components go in there as well. They come in stacks, rolls, or sheets, and they are very uniform in design or composition.
Pros
What makes it the most common type of roof is that it’s affordable. Moreover, it’s simple to install, which is nailed onto wooden-framed roofing structures, layered and staggered upward that starts from the lowest point on a sloped roof. In fact, the installation of asphalt shingles doesn’t need a special skill.
On the other hand, when it comes to maintenance, it’s safe to say that asphalt shingles are easy to maintain compared to a metal roof. When shingles disintegrate or slip, you can replace them easily by sliding and nailing down the new shingles. Still, you shouldn’t do this on your own— a professional’s help is crucial to this before you make any replacement.
Another thing you should know about asphalt shingles is that they can last for up to 50 years. Although the weather can easily wear them down, regular maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your roof.
Cons
Asphalt shingles have low snow retention, which means it’s susceptible to damage in extreme weather. Furthermore, you won’t get any energy savings out of it. So, if you’re looking for a roof that can help save you on energy bills, this isn’t the best option for you.
Having asphalt shingles for your roof will make your home warmer, which means you can expect to spend more on energy bills during the summer or if you live in an area that experiences warmer climates.
If you plan to sell your house, a home with asphalt shingles for a roof tends to sell slightly less than metal roofing.
Metal Roofing
Now, let’s move on to metal roofing. Unlike asphalt shingles, this comes in large flat sheets and is available in various patterns. A more expensive pattern category is a flat seam due to its high-quality interlocking seam design.
Pros
The interlocking feature holds the metal surface to the roof’s frame, giving it more strength and durability. In turn, metal roofing requires only minimal maintenance. It’s even possible to maintain this type of roof even without the help of a professional.
The maintenance of a metal roof may only be minimal, but it mainly depends on the angle or slope of the roof and whether the work is done by a roofing expert. That’s why it’s crucial you ensure you get the right team for the job; otherwise, you could end up with higher maintenance costs in the future.
If you live in a warmer climate, metal roofing is usually a better option because the material tends to be cooler. This is because the material can reflect most sunlight and heat.
Compared to asphalt shingles, you won’t have any issue with the build-up of snow on your roof. And when it comes to its resale value, a metal roof will sell higher because it can last longer.
Cons
Metal roofing has a higher cost of installation because it’s more challenging to install as it’s heavier. Attention to detail is important here. Aside from that, since it’s heavier, it can make things a bit more complicated if your home can’t carry the load. Therefore, it’s best to have your home assessed by a professional first if feasible for a metal roof.
When it comes to the cost, metal roofing is more expensive than asphalt shingles, especially that the materials used for this roof tend to fluctuate, which impacts the cost of metal roofing.
Although it’s a good thing that metal roofing can cool your home if you live in a warmer area, it can make it more difficult for you to heat your home during colder months, which can affect your utility bills in the winter.
How to Choose the Best Roof Material for Your Property
When you know the difference between metal roofing and asphalt shingles, you’re a step closer to making the best decision for your property. However, it doesn’t end there as you need to consider a few more things.
Location
For one, your location is crucial to the decision-making process. If you live in a warmer climate and your primary concern is energy savings, then a metal roof may be a better option compared to asphalt shingles.
Budget
On the other hand, if you want to save more money or you are on a tight roof budget, asphalt shingles may be the best choice. Your budget and your location are crucial considerations in the roof decision-making process.
Common Roofing Used in the Area
Finally, it will also be helpful to have a look around the neighborhood and see what material they used for their roof. If you’re friends with some of your neighbors, you can even ask them about the best choice and even get a referral.
The Best Roofing Material for Your Home
If you have the money to invest in your home, it goes without saying that a metal roof is the best option. But if you’re looking for something more affordable and easy to fix, asphalt shingles will work just fine for you. Whatever you choose, both roofing materials have worked for decades.
When choosing the right roof material to use for your home’s roof, it can be overwhelming at first. What will be helpful here is to find a reliable roofing contractor who can guide you through the process.
Conclusion
Shop around for contractors, and as mentioned, you can ask for referrals from your neighbors, friends, or loved ones. Remember, the right roofing contractor can make a lot of difference in your roofing choice, so take the time to research properly, get to know your options, and consider some of the factors we discussed in this post.
Work with Southern Premier Roofing, a reliable roofing contractor in Charlotte, NC, as well as Fayetteville. Hope Mills, Boise and Raleigh. We can help you find the best roofing option for you like roof repair, roofing replacement, and gutter services. Get a quote today!
