It doesn’t matter if you want to re-roof your home or build a house from scratch and install a completely new roof, you should, either way, put a lot of thought into the materials you are going to use for this project. The choice of roofing materials will impact initial construction costs, the way your home looks and feels, but also (thinking long-term) energy and maintenance costs.
Today, the Groom & Co team is shedding light on all of the differences between asphalt and metal roofing and listing the pros and cons of each so you can make up your mind easier.
Asphalt Shingles – Economic Option
Asphalt shingles come in rolls or sheets and feature a pretty uniform design and feel. These are fairly easy to install and fall into the category of the most affordable roofing materials. You just need to layer and nail the shingles into the roofing structure and require no special skills.
Metal Roofing – Minimal Maintenance Option
Metal roofing is super easy to maintain, very strong, durable, and resistant to elements. Yet, on the other hand, it costs a lot more compared to asphalt shingles and takes some skill to install.
Although metal sheets aren’t so complicated to install, the interlocking seam design can actually cause some trouble to inexperienced folks, which is why it is best to hire a professional contractor for this kind of project.
We did a quick overview of both materials but let’s go into detail about each so you can decide on the right roofing material for your home and your needs.
Durability
Asphalt shingles can, provided they are properly maintained, last up to 40 years. These deteriorate faster when exposed to excess sun, wind, and rain so take the area you live in into account if you want to go for this kind of roofing. Also, maybe you’ll need to replace or patch some shingles every once in a while, too, which is all part of regular asphalt shingles maintenance.
Metal roofing has an amazing lifespan of 50 to 70 years. When knowing that the metal industry is improving and materials are getting better every day, we can even expect the newer metal roofs to last even longer.
Maintenance
As mentioned above, sometimes, asphalt shingles need to be patched or replaced. They tend to slide and move, which is why you may face leaks in the attic. To prevent this, regularly (ideally, once a year) inspect the roof and nail down shingles that have moved or patch the ones that got damaged.
Metal roofs are relatively easy to maintain, although they still can be prone to corrosion. If any damage occurs to your metal roof, you’d have to contact a professional company since patching a metal roof can be tricky and dangerous for non-skilled people.
Costs
Asphalt roofing costs, on average, £5 per square foot, while metal roofing can cost up to four times more.
Energy Efficiency
Asphalt shingles tend to warm up during summer, which can increase your bills during the hottest months, yet, these do pretty well during the winter months so you won’t be paying too much for your heating bills.
Metal roofs do better in the summertime since they reflect heat but aren’t an ideal solution for colder months and climates. However, they handle precipitation and accumulated ice and snow much better than asphalt shingles.
Resale Value
If you are thinking about selling your home once the roof gets fixed or sometimes in the future, keep in mind that homes with asphalt shingle roofs, depending on the maintenance quality and age of the shingles, still tend to sell at a slightly lower cost compared to homes with metal roofs.
Metal and Asphalt Roofing – Pros and Cons (Sum Up)
Metal Roofing
Pros
- Little to no maintenance
- Strong and durable
- Sleek appearance
Cons
- Can add a lot of weight to your home’s construction
- Complex installation
- Costly
Asphalt Roofing
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- Easy to fix
Cons
- Less durable than metal roofing
- Not resistant to weather elements
Summary
Now you know everything you need to know about the differences between metal and asphalt roofing and how each can affect the appearance of your home, your energy bills, etc. If you need any kind of advice, feel free to contact us anytime.
Our teams have installed hundreds of roofs and we certainly know which type of roof works best with different homes. If you are based in Bromley, Chislehurst, Orpington, Greenwich, Blackheath, or any nearby area, we’d be happy to help with your roof installation or repair project!
