Roofs can be covered with a great variety of materials, and two of the popular are metal and asphalt shingles. Both protect a home from the elements, but there are important differences between them. Here are four major differences between metal and shingle roofs.
1. Shingle Roofs Cost Less Than Metal Roofs
Usually, shingle roofs cost less to install than metal roofs. They’re also easier for a roofer to install, and they can be installed on an average-sized roof in less than a day. These shingles also come in a wealth of colors and styles. Another advantage of a shingle roof is that shingles are quite lightweight. A homeowner may need to reinforce the infrastructure of their house to bear the weight of a metal roof.
As a petrochemical product, asphalt is also easy to obtain, very available, and relatively inexpensive. On the other hand, a metal roof, while more expensive to install, might save a homeowner money in the long run.
2. Metal Roofs Are Tougher and More Energy Efficient
Metal roofs are much tougher than shingle roofs. Because of this, they don’t need the kind of maintenance that a shingle roof requires. They also don’t need to be replaced or repaired as often. Indeed, some types of metal roofs can last as long as 70 years, so a homeowner may never need to replace the roof in their lifetime. A roof of asphalt shingle needs to be replaced every 25 years or so. Metal roofs are also not subject to damaging algae or mold as they don’t hold on to water, and they’re not as stressed by the freeze/thaw cycle as asphalt shingles are.
3. Shingle Roofs Are Better for Beachfront Homes
Though they’re not as durable as metal roofs, shingle roofs are better for homes found near the sea. This is because the salt spray from the ocean can cause a metal roof to rust. However, some roofing experts believe that a homeowner can still install a metal roof if their house is near the ocean. According to them, a steel or aluminum roof is the ideal kind for an oceanfront house.
4. Metal Roofs Are Fire and Weather Resistant
A metal roof is also more fire resistant than an asphalt roof, which needs to be a consideration in an area that’s prone to wildfires. In places where heavy snowfalls are usual in the winter, a metal roof can hold a large amount of snow without damage and can prevent ice dams. An ice dam happens when ice at the edge of the roof prevents melting snow from sliding off. The dammed water can leak inside the house and cause mold and mildew.
Metal roofs also bear up well under adverse weather conditions such as damaging winds and hail. Vermin also don’t like to shelter under or in metal roofs the way they do in shingle roofs. Metal roofs are also more energy efficient in that they better insulate the home during cold weather, and they cool down the house in the summer by reflecting the heat of the sun back into the air.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
