The roof above your head is one of the most critical elements of a safe and secure home. Not only is the roof an important component of your home’s structural design, but it also protects you from the elements, and helps regulate the seasonal changes in temperature. Read below to see our comparison of metal roofing and asphalt shingles, and you can decide which option is best suited for you.
The Basics
Metal roofing comes in an array of different styles, depending on the type of metal used and the coating applied. Aluminum, for example, is a common metal used that requires no coating. Steel, however, needs specialized treatment in this application to prevent rusting. Other metals used for roofing include copper, zinc, stainless steel, and titanium.
There are two main varieties of shingle roofing, including the most recent fibreglass shingles and the traditional organic shingles. The noticeable difference is in their layered make-up. Fibreglass shingles have a fibreglass core that is covered with an asphalt layer. In contrast, organic shingles have a heavy felt layer beneath the asphalt.
Appearance
Metal roofs are starting to become more popular in urban and suburban areas. Even though they’re slightly less adaptable, metal roofing does come in a variety of colours and styles to match the rest of the home. Metal roofs can be made up of panels, tiles or shingles.
Asphalt shingles are the more popular of the two types largely because it’s a material that builders trust and the traditional layered appearance is what homeowners are most familiar with. Asphalt shingles have the benefit of coming in many different colours to match the paint or brick of a home. Two common styles are three-tab shingles, which give a flat appearance to the roof, and the more expensive architectural shingles, which appear more three-dimensional.
Installation
Installing a metal roof is much more labour intensive and takes more time than an asphalt roof. One reason why metal roofing takes longer is that it requires an additional step of laying plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) under the metal. The purpose of this step is to eliminate the added noise of metal.
Installation is another facet where asphalt shingles hold an advantage. In addition, warranty and insurance requirements may mandate the removal of previous asphalt shingles. Since the installation is easier, even considering the removal of the previous roof, installing asphalt shingles can take as little as a day or two of labour, depending on the size of the house.
Cost
When it comes to comparing the cost of metal shingles and asphalt shingles, metal roofing materials are much more expensive. Not only do the materials cost more but installing a metal roof is also more labour intensive, making it sometimes over double the cost of a standard asphalt shingle roof.
Of all roofing materials, asphalt shingles are actually the cheapest to buy and install, making them more appealing to homeowners. Warranties and life expectancies of asphalt shingles have also dramatically improved over the years, helping homeowners get the most value out of their investment.
Whether you choose asphalt shingles or metal roofing, our experienced team at Top Hat offers top-of-the-line roof installation services at a fair price. Contact us today to save time and money and ensure a safe, sturdy new roof for your home.
