You have several choices to make when it comes to roofing your house. For instance, you have to choose the roofing material to use. Many homeowners are torn for choices when it comes to the metal roof vs. shingles comparison. Shingles consist of single overlapping elements that cover the roof. These can be made of materials like wood, slate, flagstone metal, plastic, and composite materials like fiber cement.
In Asia and Europe, shingles are referred to as tiles. Metal is also a popular roofing material. It’s used in the form of sheets that are characterized by a high resistance to the damage caused by the elements. These are just some of the qualities that make metal roofing a better option than shingles. But, if torn between metal and shingles, here are some of the reasons to go for a metal roof.
Metal Roof is Durable than Shingles
When faced with extreme weather, a metal roof proves its resilience easily than shingles. A metal roof can last up to a hundred years. This results in a lower long term cost because you don’t have to replace your roof. The owner of a house with a metal roof enjoys peace of mind because some installers provide warranties of up to 50 years. Shingles, on the other hand, tend to wear off quickly, especially those of organic origin. This increases the cost of occasional repair and possible replacement.
Cost
A metal roof is cheaper in the long term. The light weight of metallic roofing material makes its installation easy and faster. Shingles are cheaper upfront but since they wear off easily, a homeowner is likely to incur the cost of a replacement down the road. This makes them more expensive than a metal roof in the long run. Moreover, the additional layer of plywood adds to the installation cost.
Heating and Cooling
When it’s hot in summer, shingle roofs get heated and becomes very hot. They heat up quickly and lose heat very slowly making the house uncomfortably hot around the clock. This will require more energy for cooling the houses where they are installed. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are more emissive. Thus, they lose heat relatively fast. This explains why houses with metal roofs are more comfortable to stay in during the hot summer.
Fire Resistance
The fire resistance property of metal roofing can’t be ignored when discussing the metal roof vs. shingles topic. Some metals are relatively more fire-resistant than others. Copper and steel roofs resist fire while aluminum eventually melts. Organic shingles like wooden ones catch fire easily compared to metal roofs.
Shapes / Styling
Metallic roofing materials can be shaped in a wider variety of styles like vertical seam sheets and tile- like panels. They can also be painted to your liking or come pre-painted from the factory. Also, they come in virtually any color you might prefer. But even when it mimics other roofing materials, a metal roof maintains its sheen. Shingles can also be shaped into different styles. However, they have limited color options.
Environmental Friendliness
A metal roof doesn’t have many harmful effects on the environment. It’s recyclable. This makes metal the preferred choice of roofing material for environmentally conscious people. Some types of shingles like asphalt have been reported to be carcinogenic to roofers. The fumes produced by coal- tar asphalt pose a cancer threat to people through dermal exposure or inhalation.
Property Value
A house that is roofed using metal attracts a better price than one with shingle roofing. That’s because the metal roof lasts longer. This makes it easier to resell a house with a metal roof since most people will be interested in purchasing it. Thus, installing a metal roof is an ideal move especially if you intend to sell your house.
Insurance
Due to the durability aspect of metal, you can get lower premiums when insuring your house. Insurers give homeowners whose houses have metal roofs lower premiums because the metal roofing is likely to resist fire, hailstone damage, and wind damage than other types of roofing like shingles. However, this can vary because of other factors that affect insurance like location and prevalence of extreme weather.
It’s important to note that installation of a metal roof is not allowed in some areas. That’s because the community and some Home Owners Associations claim that this material has bad effects. These include metallic glare, giving the area an industrial look, and causing inconsistencies in aesthetics within a neighborhood. But, if torn between metal roof vs. shingles, and you have the freedom to choose, go for a metal roof. That’s because metal roofing has more benefits than shingle roofing.
