Metal Roofing Vs. Asphalt Shingles: How Do They Compare?

In the past, commercial facilities provided most of the business for the metal roofing industry. However, with improvements to metal roofing, this has become more popular with residential customers as well, making up a sizable portion of the market.

Understanding how metal roofing stacks up when compared to the more common asphalt shingles, which make up the majority of the roofing market, will help you decide which is the right type of roofing for your home.

If you think of huge panels when you think of metal roofing, it's come a long way. Metal roofing is now available that looks like shingles. Both asphalt shingles and metal roofing are available in a wide range of styles, making it possible to find one that goes well with the color and style of your home.

Metal roofing is one of the most durable types of roofing, with warranties that last 30 to 50 years but some roofs lasting even as long as 70 years. Shingles, on the other hand, typically last somewhere between 15 and 30 years. When figuring out the overall value of the roof for your money, consider durability.

The cost to purchase and install an asphalt roof tends to be three to four times less than that of a metal roof. This higher cost is partly due to the more specialized installation process for metal roofing, which makes it more time-consuming. People sometimes choose asphalt roofing for the lower costs if they plan to sell the home in the near future.

The style of metal roofing, type of metal, chosen coatings, size of the roof, and home's location can all affect metal roofing costs. Steel costs the least, followed by aluminum, then copper and zinc roofing, with standing-seam roofs being more expensive than metal shingles. The 3-tab asphalt shingles are cheaper than architectural shingles.

A new asphalt shingle roof has about a 70 percent return on investment when selling a home. This may sound pretty good, but a new metal roof has an approximately 90 percent return on investment, so it may be worth purchasing a metal roof even if you don't plan to spend decades in your home before selling.

Many types of metal roofing have special coatings to make them more energy-efficient, helping homeowners lower their cooling costs by about 30 percent and recoup part of the investment of purchasing and installing the roof. Dark-colored asphalt shingles are more likely to increase the heat of a home and thus cooling costs as well.

Metal roofing tends to better withstand the high winds that can peel asphalt shingles off a roof. It's also often mold-, rust-, and fire-resistant, which is why it has such high durability compared to asphalt, which is more easily damaged by water, fungus, and temperature variations. Some home insurance companies offer discounts for metal roofs.

Although metal roofing doesn't get damaged as easily as asphalt shingles, it's more difficult and expensive to repair when it does sustain damage. Replacement asphalt shingles can often be laid right over the damaged shingles, while metal roofs often require a professional to remove and replace an entire panel.

Asphalt shingles are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, and often end up in landfills, so they aren't as environmentally-friendly. Metal roofing can be made from recycled materials, recycled after use, and lasts longer, making it a better choice for those concerned about the effects of their roofing material on the environment.

Whittle's Roofing Co., Inc., can help you with your roofing needs. We offer both metal roofing and composite shingles and can help you decide which type of roofing makes the most sense for your home. Call us today.