Metal Roof vs Shingles

As a homeowner, one of the decisions you make when moving into your new house is the type of roof you want to get. Deciding on what material to use for your roofing needs a lot of thought because not only is it an expensive endeavor, but it is also not easy just to wake up one morning and switch your roof.

For a very long time, Shingles were the most common type of roofing material because of their cost-effectiveness and relatively easy maintenance. In recent times, however, some materials have started to give Asphalt Shingles a run for their money, and none of these is more prominent than Metal. Metal has risen to prominence because of its strength and long lifespan. In this article, we’ll look at both materials’ pros and cons to help you better decide which suits your taste better.

Advantages of Metal Roofing

1. It is strong and has a long lifespan: Metal roofs are quite durable, and their long lifespan is why many tend to select them. A metal roof can last for over 50 years without developing any issues; this makes it very sought after.

2. Metal roofs are friendly to the environment: Unlike other roofing materials such as asphalt, which is a petroleum derivative and, as such, requires the use of more fossil fuels, metal roofs are naturally made and do no further harm to the environment.

3. Metal roofs help conserve energy: Due to the fact that metal roofs reflect the rays of the sunlight rather than store it, it helps reduce cooling costs by a huge percentage. You can recover all the money spent on the installation from the monthly amount you save because of its energy conservation.

Disadvantages of Metal Roofing.

1. It is on the expensive side: Due to installation and transportation, the cost of having a good and well-functioning metal roof can be high.

2. It can be dented: Since it is metal, it means it can be dented if the right amount of external force is applied. Although very rare, a falling tree can create a dent in your roof.

Advantages of Shingles (Asphalt)

1. They are cost-effective: Asphalt Shingles are probably the least expensive of all the roofing materials available today. This means that every homeowner who doesn’t want to splash too big on a new roof can go for the shingles and still receive great value for the money spent.

2. They are not difficult to install: Shingles are very light, which makes them very easy to cut and transport. This means you’ll have your new roof installed in no time at all

3. Replacement is easy: If a single part of the roof gets damaged, it can easily be changed without removing the whole roof. In a case where the roof needs to be removed for repair, it will still be installed back relatively fast.

Disadvantages of Shingles

1. They are prone to cracks: Since asphalt shingles are so light, they are prone to periodic cracking due to environmental conditions like excess sunlight.

2. They are vulnerable to heavy winds: Getting your shingles from unreliable sources makes them even more vulnerable to heavy winds. If a heavy wind takes away parts of your roof, then it leaves it prone to leakages as well.

Conclusion

The roof you choose today could very well be the only one you use throughout your duration in that house so making the right choice is very important. In the case of these two materials, however, there really isn’t a bad choice; it just depends on your preference. We at Driscoll Contracting make it our sole aim to provide you with the roofing material of your choice.