As more and more people find themselves needing a roof replacement, more and more people in the Villas Cape May, New Jersey area compare metal roofs vs asphalt roofs and wind up not being able to decide between the two, and understandably so. There are many intricacies and things to take into consideration while deciding. This article will help break down the two options and aid you in your decision-making process.
What Is A Metal Roof?
Metal roofs are described as a roofing system that uses any variety of metal shingles, sheets, or panels to create a roof for a home. They are in and of themselves pretty self-explanatory, but what are some pros and cons to a metal roof?
Metal Roof Pros:
There are plenty of upsides to owning a metal roof, such benefits include but are not limited to:
- Durability- As you may have been able to assume, metal roofs are quite durable and able to withstand quite the beating. There are different types of metal roofs to choose from, such as aluminum and steel. An aluminum roof will be lighter and cost less than a steel roof, however, it will be significantly weaker than a steel roof, although still quite strong.
- Energy efficiency- Metal roofs are considered as one of the most energy-efficient on the market, reflecting heat away from a building. This makes metal an excellent choice for those looking to save money with their home’s cooling systems and electricity bills in mind.
- Environmentally friendly- As a general rule of thumb, metal roofs will contain around 40% recycled materials. They are also made up of 100% recyclable materials, meaning that they will never end up creating carbon emissions in a landfill. This is a huge improvement from an asphalt roof, which is made of composite materials and tar. When hot, it will let off fumes into the air that is harmful to the ecosystem.
- Longevity- All research done on metal roofs suggest that, with the proper maintenance and care, they can last upwards of 70 years! This means that you should only have to have your roof replacement once in your lifetime.
- Safety- You should always have the peace of mind that your roof will protect yourself and your family even in the harshest of conditions. A metal roof is one of the strongest options for your home. It will hold immense amounts of weight, at least double the amount of an asphalt shingle roof.
Metal Roof Cons:
- Affordability. Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials, and this is often a hard initial blow when having your entire roof replaced.
- Noisiness- There have been complaints about metal roofs being too noisy when it is raining outside, as they echo the noise better into the home.
- Expansion, contraction, and fasteners- A metal roof is not ideal when it comes to having to expand and contract with heat and cold. What will typically happen is that they will instead bend out of shape at the points where they are connected to the roof, which leaves gaps and openings.
- Inconsistency of color match- A more trivial problem that is sometimes reported is that it is hard to match the original color of the metal roof when you have to replace a section, as it can start to fade in direct sunlight over a long period of time.
Asphalt Shingle Pros:
- Cost- One of the biggest, if not the biggest upsides to going with asphalt shingles is the low cost compared to other roofing options. Typically, three-tab shingles will cost you around $100 per square, much cheaper than metal or tile.
- Ease of installation- They are extremely easy to install, requiring little training and very basic tools, you could shingle a roof with just a hammer, nails, and patience. This also affects the price of installation, as it will be much less expensive than the alternatives.
- Color variety- Asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of colors and designs, and they are very easy to mass-produce, so there is never any discrepancy when it comes to having to find a patch. They are easy to color match exactly and can be purchased at almost any hardware store due to their abundance.
- Flame retardant- Asphalt shingles are great for areas that are at high risk for forest fires, as they are all made flame retardant, meaning they will burn and melt, but they will not catch on fire and spread it.
- Semi-decent lifep- Although not amazing, asphalt shingles have a semi-decent lifep. This lifep is also a con, however, as they last around 15 years on average, which is neither a good or bad thing, it is just average.
Asphalt Shingle Cons:
- It’s not the most durable roofing option- Although they are able to hold their own, and are a respectable roofing option, they are not the strongest option. They chip and crack fairly easy, and become hard and brittle in the colder seasons of the year.
- Shingles can be damaged by high winds- Asphalt shingles are especially susceptible to damage from high winds. They tend to catch the wind under their flaps, as they are layered one on top of the other. They will then bend upwards and change their shape, allowing for water to damage your roof.
- Mildew is a common problem- A very common issue you will encounter with asphalt shingles is their tendency to grow mildew and fungus. They are constantly collecting rain, and their rough texture allows for moisture to become trapped on the surface. This moisture then turns into mildew and can spread across your roof fast, taking it over and damaging the shingles.
- It isn’t the most energy-efficient option- Because these shingles are made of asphalt and tar, they tend to get extremely hot in the sun. This heat goes into your home in the hot summer months and costs you more in AC bills. They also are not the best at keeping your heat in during the summer, leading to increased heating bills.
Asphalt, or Metal?
Hopefully, the information provided to you in this article about metal roofs vs asphalt roofs is sufficient, and you are able to more easily decide which roofing material will be best for your home. However, if you are left with questions that are still unanswered, give us a call at Champion Exteriors in Villas Cape May, New Jersey, and allow us to help you in any way we can.