Part of getting a roof replacement is researching the different roofing materials available. Roof shingles are made from a variety of materials, including tile, wood, rubber, metal, and asphalt. Choosing a material for your new shingles can be a daunting task. When it comes to reroofing, many homeowners are torn between metal shingles and asphalt shingles. What are the benefits and drawbacks of these various materials?
The choice between metal and asphalt shingles will not only affect the aesthetic appearance of your home, but it will also determine how long it will be before you need to replace the shingles again. Let’s look at the differences between metal and asphalt roof shingles to see how effective they are, pros and cons included.
Metal Shingles
Metal shingles are more expensive, but are a worthwhile investment. They provide many benefits for home and business owners like increasing resale value, reducing energy bill expenses, are eco-friendly and last decades. Metal roof panels also reflect solar heat, keeping interiors cooler than other types of shingles.
Before deciding on metal, one factor you want to consider is how long you’ll be staying in your home. If you install a steel roof, you want to be around long enough that you’ll reap the benefits of your investment.
Pros
There are numerous reasons why consumers value metal shingles and select them to increase the value of their home. Here are a few of the benefits of metal shingles.
- Metal shingles have an average lifespan of 80 years, which is a considerable longer lifespan than asphalt shingles.
- Steel shingles can actually save you money in the long run. Metal shingles can reduce cooling costs by 10 to 25% because they reflect solar heat.
- Metal roofs are good for the environment. They are completely recyclable at the end of their lifespan and contain 25 to 95 percent recycled material.
- A steel roof is fire, hail and wind resistant and can protect your home against the worst storms.
- When it comes to metal roof panels, there are countless colour and style options available. Metal roofing can replicate ceramic or clay tiles and wood, asphalt or slate shingles.
Cons
Despite their popularity, metal shingles have some drawbacks. Here are some of the reasons why people choose traditional asphalt shingles over metal.
- Metal shingles last longer than asphalt and other types of roof shingles, but they are more expensive to install. Installation fees typically range between $5,000 and $28,000.
- If you live in a rainy climate, metal roofs can be quite noisy. Though insulation can help with this problem, it will increase the overall cost of your roofing project.
- If you have metal shingles that need to be replaced in the future, finding metal that matches the rest of your shingles can be difficult. You can mitigate this by purchasing extra shingles when installing metal roofing shingles, but finding a replacement metal can be difficult.
- Some metal roofs experience expansion and contraction. They must be installed in a way that allows the panels to “breathe,” which means that any installation error can lead to major problems with loose panels later on.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles, also known as 3-tab roof shingles, are one of the most popular types of roof shingles in Canada. Asphalt shingles are ideal for getting new shingles on a budget or for rental properties where the aesthetics of your home are less important. They are easy to install and come in a variety of design and colour options.
Pros
Here are a few of the reasons why asphalt shingles are so popular as roofing materials.
- Asphalt shingles are among the least expensive materials to install. If you’re in a pinch, using asphalt as your shingle material can help you save money. Asphalt shingle installation typically costs between $3,000 and $12,500.
- Asphalt shingles are available in hundreds of colours and are intended to complement the aesthetic appearance of a wide range of homes. They are frequently manufactured to resemble slate, providing a simple and lightweight shingle for your home.
- If you own a rental property and want to save money on new shingles, asphalt is a great option. Asphalt provides a polished appearance without the high cost of materials such as tile or solar.
- Asphalt is naturally fire-resistant and has increased hail resistance, which can lower insurance costs. If you live in an area prone to hail or wildfires, you should think about using asphalt roofing shingles.
Cons
As great as they are, asphalt shingles are not always the best solution. There are a few reasons why using a different material might be preferable.
- Although asphalt is less expensive to install than metal roof shingles, it does not last as long. Asphalt shingles have a 10-20 year lifespan, which is tied with rubber for the shortest.
- If excess water accumulates on your roof, asphalt shingles can develop mildew problems. This is a common issue with asphalt shingles and should be considered by those who live in humid climates.
- Asphalt roof tiles, unlike metal roofs, can actually transfer heat into your home. This can significantly increase your energy bill because you must turn up your AC unit to keep your home cool. Not to mention that excessive heat can damage the shingles themselves. Cool roof coatings can be added to asphalt shingles for a fee, but this material is not as naturally energy efficient as other materials.
- Asphalt shingles are not as environmentally friendly as metal roof shingles, which should be taken into account when choosing a roofing material.