Every home needs a roof, and the two most popular options are metal roofing and asphalt shingles. Your roof is among the most significant investment in your home, so choosing the right roofing material is a big decision. We are here to break down asphalt shingles vs metal roofs to help you find the perfect solution for your home.
Longevity
The longevity of any roof is only as good as the quality of installation, the schedule of maintenance practices, and your environment. However, you can count on metal roofing lasting at least twice as long as asphalt shingles.
Metal
Has a long lifespan, up to 40-70 years, depending on the material. Some materials, like copper or zinc, can last well over a century (or two).
They also carry a 30-35 year paint warranty.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles have a life expectancy of 15-20 years and up to 25-30 years for heavier or premium products.
Cost
The two major factors that affect roof cost include material and labor. These both vary based on your geographic location.
Metal
The price tag for a metal roof will land between $10-$20 per square foot and between $20,000 and $40,000 for the average home. Some materials (like zinc or copper) will be significantly more than other materials (like steel or aluminum).
Asphalt
The average price of asphalt shingles is between $6 and $9 per square foot, or $12,000 to $18,000 for the average home. This lower price tag is appealing to many homeowners.
Energy Efficiency
Despite myths claiming metal roofing keeps your home warmer, metals have a higher reflectivity and emissivity than asphalt shingles.
Metal
With a metal roof, you may notice up to 30 percent savings during the hot summer months. During the winter, a metal roof will shed snow and ice significantly faster.
Asphalt
For homes in a mild climate, asphalt shingle is a great option. In hot areas, dark shingles may increase home temperature and cooling costs.
Eco-Friendliness
The environmental impact of asphalt shingles and metal roofing is astounding. These options are important to keep in mind to keep your carbon footprint small.
Metal
Metal roofing is usually made from recycled materials and is 100% recyclable at the end of its lifespan, but finding a recycling center can be difficult.
Asphalt
While asphalt shingles can be recycled, they often aren’t because of the difficulty in sorting them and finding a center. Therefore, most are tossed into any local facility. As a result, U.S. landfills receive nearly 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles annually.
Durability
It’s critical for your roofing materials to withstand elements from mother nature and other impacts without compromising its integrity.
Metal
Less prone to damage overall. It is extremely durable and resistant to rot, water damage, and fire. Some thin or soft metals can be easily dented by hail or other debris.
Asphalt
There are strong options available that are both impact and fire-resistant, but these options are more expensive. Asphalt shingles are prone to curling, breaking, and damage, but can be fixed in minor repairs rather than replacing the entire surface panel.
ROI
Installing a new roof will almost always increase the resale value of your home. According to homeadvisor.com, a newly replaced roof has a 68.4 percent ROI.
Metal
This can be a serious selling point for your home. However, if you plan to move out soon, it may not be worth investing in the higher cost that you may not recoup.
Asphalt
A new roof is a great feature, but because asphalt shingles are standard, it doesn’t appeal to buyers as much.
Maintenance
While neither asphalt shingles nor metal roofing requires extensive maintenance, it is important to know the maintenance requirements of both materials.
Metal
After the initial installation, there is no additional maintenance required.
Asphalt
Asphalt shingles should be inspected once a year to extend longevity and check for any weak spots.
Style & Variety
Today’s roofing materials come in a variety of styles, colors, and textures to complement your home’s style.
Metal
Metal roofing comes in a few different styles and almost any color under the sun. You can choose panels, tiles, and shingles. You can add texture options so that it looks very similar to the rough texture of asphalt shingles.
Asphalt
There is quite a bit of variety in asphalt shingles so that you can pick the shade and shape that matches your home style. You can even combine asphalt shingles to produce a 3D design.
Asphalt vs Metal: What to Consider Before You Choose
Having a safe and secure home is essential. We are here to make sure you choose a roofing material that matches your needs. The best material for your roof comes down to four main factors.
- Budget – Arguably the most important factor to consider. Asphalt shingles are a better option if you have a smaller budget and you don’t mind replacing your roof every 15-20 years. A metal roof is the best choice if you are ready to invest in an option that will last 50 years. A middle ground may be a cheaper metal roof option that offers better durability than shingles.
- Roof Design – Your roof design includes roof pitch, slope, size by square footage, and fixtures such as the number of valleys, vent pipes, hips, skylights, and flashing points. There are manufacturers’ minimum and maximum regulations for these areas that apply to both asphalt and metal applications.
- Environment – Where do you live? Asphalt shingles or metal roofing may be a better option depending on your location. A metal roof is the better option if you live in an area that is prone to fire, high wind, hail, extreme heat, and cold. Also, consider HOA or neighborhood standards if you are concerned about looking different.
- Qualified Contractor Availability – Compared to asphalt shingles, metal roofing has a limited pool of qualified contractors. Finding a contractor with the proper licenses and proven record of installing solid metal roof systems is more complicated. Asphalt shingle has a bigger contractor pool because they are relatively simpler to install.
Which Will You Choose?
Both asphalt shingle and metal roofing are excellent roofing materials. They are both available and widely used across the United States because they still both provide the protection you’re looking for. Because this is a large investment, the best thing you can do is consult with a professional who can give you an accurate assessment of how each will perform on your property.
We can help you consider both options, discuss the pros and cons of asphalt shingles vs metal roofs and install the best option for you. Give us a call today!
