Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofing

If you are a homeowner and planning for roof installation, you mainly have two roofing options to choose - shingles and metal roofing.  It is advisable to seek suggestion from an experienced roofing contractor before choosing any specific roof type.

To have a basic knowledge about asphalt shingle roofing and metal roofing, read out below:

Metal Roofing

 A metal roof can be made up of steel, zinc, copper or aluminum. They usually come in the form of long sheets, which can further be cut into small pieces. Earlier, they were rarely used for residential purposes, but with growing trend, people have started using metal roofing for residential purposes too.

Pros

• Metal is the lightest material you can install on your roof. Though weight varies based on type of metal, contractors and manufacturers.
• The lifespan of a metal roof is great. It can last up to at 50-60 years depending upon the quality of materials used and how well it is maintained.
• They have enormous strength. They can withstand high-speed winds without getting damaged.
• . They never rot or mildew and bugs can’t ever eat through them.
• Metal roofs are energy efficient as during summers, they reflect heat which in turn helps to keep home cooler.
• Metals are environment friendly as they can easily be recycled, causing not much damage to the environment.

Cons

• A metal roof usually costs three times as much as asphalt. Metals such as stainless steel, copper, zinc can cost even higher.
• As metal roofs are sold in sheets, it gets difficult to repair or replace the damaged area.
• Some critics say that metal roofs expand or contract a bit, thus comprising their long-term performance and their ability to remain water tight.

Asphalt Shingles

For residential roofing, asphalt shingles are one of the most widely used materials. People who have a low budget prefer going for these roofing materials as they are the least expensive roofing material available in market. Organic and fiberglass are the two types of asphalt shingles available.

Pros

• They are the most affordable roofing materials.
• Go well with steep sloped structures.
• Low maintenance roofing materials and one can easily walk on without damaging the material.
• They are considered to be the easiest roofing materials to install as they can be cut and fit without taking much time.
• They are available in vast range of prices, sizes and colors.
• Though they are not the lightest materials, but they are much light in weight as compared to other roofing materials.

Cons

• They are susceptible to areas having a lot of rainfall and snowfall.
• They have a lifespan of around 15-20 years.
• They not only transfer solar heat into your home, but also can get damaged by the heat.
• Mildew problems caused by excess moisture can damage the shingles.

Bottom Line

You can select either metal roofing or asphalt shingle roofing depending upon your requirement and the weather conditions. But for that, you need to hire a renowned roofer in Austin, TX to get the roofing work done.