Many homeowners in Virginia often find themselves searching between metal vs. asphalt roof materials. This guide may help.
When it comes to roofing, you actually have a lot more options than just regular asphalt roof shingles. Metal roofing is another great option for your home, but should you choose a metal or asphalt roof?
Here are the pros and cons you need to consider before making a decision.
Metal Roof: Pros
Opposed to asphalt shingles, a metal roof sounds rather industrial, but they will look fantastic on your home.
They have a lot of benefits too that you should take advantage of:
- Long Lasting: A metal roof will last almost as long as the house itself does, if not longer. They’re incredibly hard wearing, so they’re a great deal if you’re looking for a roof that will last. On average, they can last up to 50 years if cared for correctly.
- Color Options: You’ve got a lot of options for the style of the roof. You can paint a metal roof to be any color you choose, meaning it’s easy to match it up with the rest of your home. Metal roof paints are designed to act as extra protection too, helping that roof extend its lifespan.
- Lightweight: A metal roof is much lighter than other options out there. This means it’s putting a lot less stress on your home, so that’s another worry off your mind.
- Less Damage from Snow and Ice: Regular roofs are often subject to damage from heavy snow sitting on them and damaging them, or ice dams forming and causing leaks and other issues. A metal roof won’t have these problems. They’re better insulated, so snow won’t melt and create dams. It’s harder for snow to stick to them too, meaning it all just slides off.
- Quicker to Install: A metal roof doesn’t need to be applied shingle by shingle, so you don’t have to wait long for them to be installed. They’re perfect if you’re in a hurry and need that roof installed yesterday, especially if a storm is on the way.
- Fire Resistance: One of the best things about metal roofs is their fire resistance. If you’re concerned about damage to your home, then a metal roof may be the way to go. Most are rated at Class A for fire resistance, so you can be assured your home is safer with one installed.
Metal Roof: Cons
When looking into a metal vs. asphalt roof, the metal option does have cons in the eyes of some homeowners.
- Expense: As roofing options go, metal roofing is one of the most expensive options. As it’s made with longer lasting materials, this is to be expected. If you’re looking to save money on your roofing though, then you may want to look at different options.
- Noise: When it rains, you’ll be able to hear the raindrops tapping on your metal roof. For some, they’ll love the sound of the rain. For others, the sound will be annoying. If you think that the noise would irritate you, then a metal roof won’t be for you.
- Denting: As you’d expect from anything metal, if something heavy hits your roof then it could cause a dent. These can be repaired, but it’s a job that you’d rather not do. Damage can also happen during installation, if care isn’t taken to install the roof correctly. You’ll need to be careful to keep that roof looking good for its full lifespan.
Asphalt Roof: Pros
Asphalt roofing is one of the most popular roofing options out there, so why do so many homeowners choose it?
- Effectiveness: When installed properly, asphalt roof tiles will last you for around 12-20 years. This isn’t as long as other roofing options, but when weighed up against their other benefits, it’s well worth considering them for your roof.
- Inexpensive: Compared to other roofing options, asphalt roofing can be cheaper. Replacing a roof isn’t the most inexpensive job, so homeowners often want to save money where they can. As it’s a more cost effective option, it’s one of the most popular ones around.
- Variety of Styles: You want a roof that’s aesthetically pleasing, and will complement the look of your home. Asphalt tiles come in a huge array of styles, colors, and shapes. You can pick whatever style you’d like, so you can complete the look of the exterior of your home.
- Layering: If you’re short on time or are looking to save some costs in re-roofing your home, then you can layer asphalt roofing tiles on top of one another. That means you can lay a new roof on top of the old one, if it’s in good enough condition. It’s not advisable to layer the roof more than once, but it can be done.
Asphalt Roof: Cons
When determining between a metal vs. asphalt roof, there are some cons to asphalt materials to consider as well.
- Prone to Leakages: It’s quite easy for something to break the barrier that an asphalt roof provides, meaning that water can get through and start causing damage to the roof itself. Falling branches, hailstones, and other debris can all cause damage and lead to costly repair bills.
- Shorter Lifespan: As noted earlier, asphalt roofs aren’t known for lasting very long. The lifespan will be enough for most homeowners, but if you want something longer lasting then you’ll want to investigate other options.
- Cracking in the Heat: The problem with most asphalt roofs is that they can’t stand up to high temperatures. When the heat gets too high, the shingles will warp and crack, causing damage to your roof. If you live in an area where you regularly gets high temperatures, then you’ll want to investigate different roofing styles.
- Installation: It’s not that asphalt roofs aren’t easy to install, it’s just extremely time consuming. If you’re experienced enough in home renovation, then you could work on installing your own roof. You’ll have to lay down asphalt shingles one by one.
- Mold and Mildew: Asphalt roofs are the most common roof to struggle with mold and mildew growth. There are ways to to avoid this, but once your roof contains mildew or mold, it’s something that needs to be treated.
Metal vs. Asphalt Roof
The roof that’s right for you will depend on your budget, your needs, and your tastes.
No one roof is the ‘right’ roof, and either an asphalt or a metal roof could be the right option for your home.
Weigh up the pros and cons of a metal vs. asphalt roof, and see which one will work for you.
