When it’s time for you to contact your roofing contractors to have your roof replaced, you could be overwhelmed by the number of choices. After all, you’re looking for a roof that is durable, reliable, cost-effective and stylish for the years to come. These criteria will depend on the material of the roofing system you will choose. Two of the most popular roofing options available on the market are metal and asphalt roofing shingles.
Granted, there are more options out there, but there are reasons that these two materials have stood the test of time and proven themselves time and time again as the go-to roofing material for numerous homeowners across the country. In today’s blog post, Precision #1 Contractors Inc., one of the top roofing companies in the area compares metal and asphalt roofing shingles to help you decide which is the best choice for your home.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingle roofs are the most popular roofing material in the country today. They are available in various colors and textures, easy to install and are considerably cheaper than other materials. Not to mention that they’re also versatile since you can use them to cover existing woodwork such as masonry or stucco. Fiberglass matting, asphalt coating, and a ceramic or stone granule surface makes your asphalt shingles durable and resistant to UV radiation.
The most common type of asphalt shingles are the standard three-tab variants, but other variants such as laminated and architectural asphalt shingles are gaining popularity since they’re readily available.
Architectural shingles are built the same way as conventional three-tab shingles, but are heavier, thicker, and a tad pricier. However, they last longer than three-tab shingles and feature longer warranties. They also come with numerous color options and textures.
Metal Roofs
Metal roofing is gaining popularity across the country thanks to it being one of the strongest materials for residential roofing projects. You’ll actually notice that you’ll be relying less on stucco remediation projects if you choose to install a metal roof on your home. After all, your roof has to be durable and resilient despite constant exposure to the elements for it to ensure your home’s protection for a lifetime.
While they’re renowned for their durability and strength, they’re also eco-friendly to produce. Metal roofs are made of recycled materials and can be recycled once they reach the end of their service life. Aluminum metal roofs are also resistant to moss, fungus, and pest infestation. They also deal well with fire and heat, which makes it a great choice to deal with thermal cycling. Along with specialized paint coatings, it can also reduce your home’s cooling bills, thanks to its heat-resistant properties. They also come in other forms such as steel, galvalume, and galvanized metal roofs. However, they aren’t as suitable for residential applications since they’re meant for agricultural use such as pole barns. They also rust faster than a conventional metal roof.
Installation Costs
When hiring roofing contractors for your roofing project, one shouldn’t forget that each kind of roofing material comes with a certain degree of difficulty when it comes to installing them. As such, contractors would charge more for roofing materials that consumes more time, labor, and materials to install. Here’s a quick comparison between the two popular roofing materials:
Metal roofs cost around $4,500 to $11,500 which is inclusive of the installation fee and the materials used. The labor costs around $300 to $500 per square and $4,500 to $7,500 for a 1,500 square foot roof. For asphalt shingle roofs, they cost around $2,000 to $10,000 for both installation and material costs. Some high-end options cost around $11,000 and $14,000. In terms of labor costs, it’s around$200-300 per square and $3,000-$4,500 for a 1,500 square foot roof.
While it’s possible to install both roofing options on your own since they’re light and easy to install while keeping the innards intact, such as your stucco, keep in mind that you’re not only at risk voiding your product warranties, you’re also putting yourself at risk. If you’re not equipped with the proper skills, training, and equipment necessary to install these materials properly, it’s best to leave the job to certified roofing professionals like us to ensure that your new roof is working properly.
Material Lifespan
Asphalt shingle roofs last for around 15 to 20 years, while heavier or laminated shingles can last from 25 to 30 years. Metal roofs last for around 40-70 years. However, to ensure you get a longer life out of your new roofing materials, you need to have them installed by a professional roofing contractor. Also, you need to be proactive when it comes to roof maintenance and repair, and use the best roofing materials for your climate and environment.
Energy Efficiency
Asphalt shingle roofs demonstrate excellent energy efficiency during the winter months since they absorb heat very well, reducing the need for your furnace and other heat sources during this period. However, they can become very hot during the summer months due to their conductive properties. Metal roofs are energy-efficient all-year long and are especially effective during the summer since they hold up against UV radiation very well. However, if they’re not installed correctly, you wouldn’t be able to utilize its energy-efficient properties as well if it were installed properly.
Durability and Weight
Metal roofs are extremely strong, lightweight, and water and insect-resistant which makes them last for a long time. One glaring drawback however is that they’re highly prone to denting especially if you live in an area where hailstorms are a frequent occurrence or if your area is dense with trees that could drop branches on your roof. Asphalt shingle roofs are heavier compared to metal roofs, but this makes far more resistant to wind uplifts which is very beneficial if you live in an area with strong winds or typhoons.
While there isn’t a single one-and-done answer as to which is better between the two choices, it depends on your needs, preferences, location, climate, and what you expect from your roofing system. However, you can be certain that if you’re working with a reliable roofing contractor like us, you can expect that we’ll do the job properly and make sure that your new roof is ready to serve you for the years to come.
Looking for expert roofers and stucco remediation specialists? Look no further than Precision #1 Contractors Inc. We’re a preferred James Hardie® company that aims to give you outstanding customer service and quality workmanship for you to get the most out of your home improvement investment. Contact us at 215-364-5115 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation.