Why Metal Roofing vs Shingles? If you are planning to install a new roof or replace an old one, you might be wondering what type of roofing material is best for your home. There are many options available, but two of the most popular ones are metal roofing and roofing shingles. Both have their pros and cons, and depending on your needs, preferences, and budget, one might suit you better than the other. In this article, we will compare metal roofing and roofing shingles in terms of their appearance, durability, cost, lifespan, environmental impact, and maintenance. We will also give you some tips on how to choose the right roofing material for your home.
Appearance
One of the first things that you might consider when choosing a roofing material is how it will look on your home. Both metal roofing and roofing shingles offer a variety of styles and colors that can match different architectural designs and personal tastes.
Metal roofing comes in large flat sheets that are folded longitudinally in different patterns, such as corrugated, standing seam, or flat seam. Metal roofing can also be made into tiles or shingles that mimic the look of other materials, such as wood, slate, or clay. Metal roofing can be painted or coated with different finishes to enhance its appearance and performance. Some of the advantages of metal roofing in terms of appearance are:
It can create a modern, sleek, or rustic look depending on the type and color of metal used.
It can reflect sunlight and create interesting effects with different angles and lighting conditions.
It can be customized to fit any shape or size of roof.
Roofing shingles are typically made of asphalt, which is a mixture of organic or fiberglass materials and mineral granules. Roofing shingles come in sheets, stacks, or rolls that are nailed onto the roof deck in overlapping layers. Roofing shingles can also be made to resemble other materials, such as wood shakes, slate tiles, or ceramic tiles. Some of the advantages of roofing shingles in terms of appearance are:
They can create a traditional, classic, or cozy look depending on the type and color of shingles used.
They can add depth and texture to the roof with different shapes and patterns.
They can blend in with the surrounding environment and neighborhood.
Durability
Another important factor that you might consider when choosing a roofing material is how durable it is. Durability refers to how well a roofing material can withstand different weather conditions, such as rain, snow, hail, wind, heat, cold, and UV rays. Durability also affects how often a roofing material needs to be repaired or replaced.
Metal roofing is generally more durable than roofing shingles. Metal roofing can resist fire, water, hail, wind, and corrosion better than roofing shingles. Metal roofing does not absorb moisture or crack due to temperature changes. Metal roofing can also handle higher snow loads and stronger winds than roofing shingles. Some of the disadvantages of metal roofing in terms of durability are:
It can dent or scratch due to impact from hail or falling branches.
It can expand or contract due to thermal movement, which can cause noise or leaks if not installed properly.
It can fade or corrode over time if not coated or painted properly.
Roofing shingles are less durable than metal roofing. Roofing shingles can deteriorate due to exposure to sunlight, moisture, heat, cold, and algae. Roofing shingles can also curl, crack, or lose granules due to aging or weathering. Roofing shingles are more prone to damage from hail or wind than metal roofing. Some of the advantages of roofing shingles in terms of durability are:
They can absorb sound and reduce noise from rain or wind.
They can provide better insulation and ventilation than metal roofing.
They can be easily repaired or replaced if damaged.
Lifespan
Lifespan is another key factor that you might consider when choosing a roofing material. Lifespan refers to how long a roofing material can last before it needs to be replaced.
Metal roofing has a longer lifespan than roofing shingles. Metal roofing can last up to 40 to 70 years or longer depending on the type and quality of metal used. Metal roofing also comes with longer warranties than roofing shingles, typically ranging from 30 to 50 years. Metal roofing can also be recycled or reused at the end of its lifespan, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Roofing shingles have a shorter lifespan than metal roofing. Roofing shingles can last up to 10 to 20 years or longer depending on the type and quality of shingles used. Roofing shingles also come with shorter warranties than metal roofing, typically ranging from 15 to 25 years. Roofing shingles are not easily recyclable or reusable at the end of their lifespan, creating more landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental Impact
Environmental impact is another significant factor that you might consider when choosing a roofing material. Environmental impact refers to how a roofing material affects the environment in terms of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and resource depletion.
Metal roofing has a lower environmental impact than roofing shingles. Metal roofing is more energy-efficient than roofing shingles due to its higher reflectivity and emissivity, which reduce the heat gain and loss of the roof. Metal roofing is also more eco-friendly than roofing shingles due to its higher recyclability and reusability, which reduce the need for new materials and landfill space. Metal roofing is also made from more renewable and abundant resources than roofing shingles, such as steel, aluminum, or copper.
Roofing shingles have a higher environmental impact than metal roofing. Roofing shingles are less energy-efficient than metal roofing due to their lower reflectivity and emissivity, which increase the heat gain and loss of the roof. Roofing shingles are also less eco-friendly than metal roofing due to their lower recyclability and reusability, which increase the demand for new materials and landfill space. Roofing shingles are also made from more non-renewable and scarce resources than metal roofing, such as asphalt, fiberglass, or petroleum.
Maintenance
Maintenance is another relevant factor that you might consider when choosing a roofing material. Maintenance refers to how much time, effort, and money you need to spend on keeping your roof in good condition.
Metal roofing requires less maintenance than roofing shingles. Metal roofing does not need regular cleaning, painting, or sealing like roofing shingles do. Metal roofing also does not need frequent inspection, repair, or replacement like roofing shingles do. Metal roofing only needs occasional maintenance to check for leaks, dents, scratches, or corrosion, and to fix them if necessary.
Roofing shingles require more maintenance than metal roofing. Roofing shingles need regular cleaning, painting, or sealing to prevent dirt, algae, mold, or stains from accumulating on the roof surface. Roofing shingles also need frequent inspection, repair, or replacement to prevent curling, cracking, or granule loss from affecting the roof performance. Roofing shingles also need more care during installation and removal to avoid damage or injury.
How to Choose
Now that you know the differences between metal roofing and roofing shingles in terms of appearance, durability, cost, lifespan, environmental impact, and maintenance, how do you choose the best one for your home? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision:
Consider your climate: If you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, hail, wind, heat, or cold, you might want to choose metal roofing for its higher resistance and resilience. If you live in an area that experiences mild weather conditions, such as moderate rain, snow, wind, heat, or cold, you might want to choose roofing shingles for their lower cost and easier installation.
Consider your budget: If you have a tight budget and want to save money on your initial installation cost, you might want to choose roofing shingles for their lower price per square foot. If you have a flexible budget and want to save money on your long-term maintenance cost, you might want to choose metal roofing for its longer lifespan and lower energy consumption.
Consider your style: If you want a modern, sleek, or rustic look for your home, you might want to choose metal roofing for its variety of colors and finishes. If you want a traditional, classic, or cozy look for your home, you might want to choose roofing shingles for their variety of shapes and patterns.
Consider your values: If you care about the environment and want to reduce your carbon footprint, you might want to choose metal roofing for its higher recyclability and reusability. If you care about your comfort and convenience, you might want to choose roofing shingles for their better insulation and ventilation.
HD Roofing and Solar: Your Trusted Roofing Contractor
Whatever roofing material you choose, you need a reliable and professional roofing contractor to install it for you. That’s where HD Roofing and Solar comes in. We are a licensed and insured roofing company that has been serving the area for over 20 years. We offer quality workmanship, competitive pricing, and excellent customer service. We can handle any roofing project, big or small, from new installation to repair and replacement. We also offer solar panel installation and maintenance to help you save more money and energy.
At HD Roofing and Solar, we use only the best roofing materials from reputable manufacturers. We can help you choose the right roofing material for your home based on your needs, preferences, and budget. We can also provide you with a free estimate and a warranty for your peace of mind. Whether you want metal roofing or roofing shingles, we can install it for you with skill and care.
If you are looking for a trustworthy and experienced roofing contractor, look no further than HD Roofing and Solar. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and estimate. We look forward to hearing from you and serving you with excellence.
