When it comes to roofing options, shingled roofs, and metal roofs are two popular choices among homeowners. Shingled roofs have been a traditional choice for many homeowners, while metal roofs have gained popularity in recent years. Each option has its own set of pros and cons that should be considered before making a decision. We will explore the advantages and disadvantages of shingled vs metal roofs to help you make an informed decision for your home.
The Difference Between Shingle Roofs vs Metal Roofs
Shingle roofs are a popular roofing option for residential and commercial buildings. They consist of overlapping rectangular or square pieces of material, typically made from asphalt, wood, metal, or slate. Shingles are designed to shed water and protect the building from the elements. They come in a variety of colors, textures, and styles, allowing for customization to match the aesthetic of the building.
Metal roofs are a type of roofing system that is made from metal materials such as steel, aluminum, or copper. They are known for their durability, longevity, and resistance to weather elements such as wind, rain, and hail. Metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors, and can be customized to fit the design and aesthetic of any building. They are also environmentally friendly as they are often made from recycled materials and can be recycled again at the end of their lifespan.
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Pros and Cons of Shingle Roofs
Shingles are the common roofing option you will see when you go looking from house to house. The pros and cons of shingle roofs will help you learn why they are so common.
Pros
- Affordable – A main reason why so many houses have shingles is due to affordability. Shingles on average cost
- Long lasting – While not as durable as a metal roof, shingles if installed correctly can last up to 15 – 30 years.
- Easy to repair and replace – Shingle roofs are much more convenient to repair and replace due to the installation pro
cess. If shingles blow off the roof or become damaged, it is as simple as installing those missing shingles without having to do massive repairs. - Color and style customization – Shingle roofs are a popular choice due to the wide selection of shingle styles and customization. Shingle roofs can have a more diverse color palette than metal roofs, enabling homeowners to color match more specifically to their desires
Cons
- Requires more maintenance – Shingle roofs are more prone to maintenance due to the risk of shingle tiles blowing off from storms. They also collect more dirt and other environmental components which may require you to clean your roof to prevent prolonged damage.
- Less insulation value – Shingles have less insulation value than metal roofs meaning they release more heat from your home rather than entrapping it. This can cause you to spend more money on heating and cooling depending on your usage patterns.
- Environmental effects – Shingle roofs are more prone to taking damage from theenvironment. Harsh winds and rainstorms are more likely to cause shingles to blow off and lead to leaks due to them being less durable compared to metal roofs.
- Shorter lifespan – In comparison to metal roofs, a shingled roof has a short lifespan and is more likely to be replaced before a metal roof needs repairs or replacing
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs
Metal roofs have become increasingly more popular over the years for homeowners looking to do roof replacements. The pros and cons will show you why metal roofs continue to trend in the market today.
Pros
- Longer lifespan – A main deciding factor as to why people choose metal roofs is their lifespan. Metal roofs are likely to last a lifetime for homeowners, with the average lifespan being 40 – 70 years.
- Durable – The durability of a metal roof is levels above a shingle roof. Metal roofs are less likely to be damaged by the environment and can handle harsh storms.
- Energy efficient – Unlike shingles, metal roofs are much more energy efficient as they can entrap more heating and cooling within your home, preventing your heating and cooling systems from overworking themselves to keep up with the desired output.
- Ability to install overtop of shingles – When installing a metal roof, most of the time, you can install the material on the right overtop of your old shingles. This eliminates the process of taking off all the shingles, but instead, adds a layer of extra protection from leaks.
- Home safety – Metal roofs provide an extra level of safety for your home when dealing with the environment. Metal roofs will not catch fire in the event of a lighting strike, unlike a shingled roof.
Cons
- Costly – The main reason why most people do not go with metal roofs is that they are costly.
- Color matching limited – From a customizable standpoint, metal roofs do not have the diverse color palette as shingles do, which offers limited choices in comparison.
- Noisy – Depending on the person, metal roofs may be annoying to the ear during rain or hail storms, as the rain and hail will be loud as they hit the roof. Although, some people may find the noise soothing.
Conclusion
Shingled vs metal roofs both have their pros and cons and each person may view a certain roofing option as superior to the other. Ultimately, it is up to the homeowners to decide whether they want a shingled roof or a metal. Hopefully, this blog was able to aid in that decisions
Those that are interested in metal roofing, look no further. Aapex Construction & Restoration is the expert for you. Our industry professionals can perform precision metal cutting and install your metal roofs with accuracy. Contact us today to discuss how we can improve your home’s roof.
