You’re in the market for a new roof. The first thing you want to know is what roofing materials are the best. Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roofing material found in the United States. However, metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular. So how do you choose between a metal roof and a shingle roof?
There are many factors to think about when contemplating a roof replacement for your home, including:
- Curb appeal
- Durability
- Energy efficiency
- Lifespan
- Maintenance
- Price
Each of these factors must be considered in selecting a new roof. In this article, we will look at the differences between metal and shingle roofing materials and how they perform in each category.
What Are Asphalt Shingles?
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of residential roofing in the United States. Their use dates back to the early 1900s.
The three main components forming shingles are asphalt, fiberglass, and granules, which is a substance made up of crushed stone and minerals. There are three popular types of asphalt shingles:
- 3-tab shingles are flat and have a uniform look. They are the cheapest and lightest type of asphalt shingle, although they have shorter lifespans.
- Architectural shingles are thick and weigh twice as much as 3-tab shingles. They are sturdy, high-quality shingles created to mimic cedar shakes. They are more expensive than 3-tab shingles but they also have a longer lifespan.
- Luxury shingles are expensive. The quality shingles are thicker and heavier than normal asphalt shingles. They are also the strongest and most weather-resistant.
What is Metal Roofing?
As the name suggests, a metal roof is a metal roofing system shielding your home from the elements.
Roofs come in several types of metal:
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Steel
- Tin
- Zinc
Metal roofing panels are the most common metal roofing design. Metal roofing systems can also mimic slate, clay tiles, or asphalt shingles.
Paneled roofing comes in two common types:
- Standing seam metal roofs
- Corrugated metal roofs
Standing seam metal roofs consist of long, flat panels held together by fasteners. The fasteners hold the metal roofing to the house frame. In a standing seam metal roof, the fasteners hide underneath the panels.
Corrugated metal roofs are wavy, and their fasteners are visible outside the paneling.
What Are the Differences Between Metal Roofing and Asphalt Shingles?
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Cost
Metal Roofing
The biggest downside to a metal roof is the installation cost. The cost of a metal roof is two or three times more than shingle roofing.
Something to consider is that metal roofing lasts far longer than asphalt shingles. Metal roofing doesn’t need to be replaced as frequently as shingles do. While the upfront costs for a metal roof are higher, the long-term costs are comparable. In fact, metal roofs may even be cheaper in the long run.
Additionally, metal roofs can save up to 25% on your cooling costs.
Shingle Roofing
When comparing which roofing material is cheaper, asphalt roofs are the clear winner. Asphalt roofing is one of the cheapest roofing materials available. The downside of shingles is that they need replacing more than metal roofing.
| Type of Roofing | Typical price range per square foot |
| Architectural Shingles | $4 to $7 |
| Luxury Shingles | $4 to $8 |
| 3-tab Shingles | $1 to $2 |
| Aluminum | $4 to $12 |
| Copper | $13 to $40 |
| Steel | $1.50 to $16 |
| Tin | $4 to $30 |
| Zinc | $6 to $25 |
Durability
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs have a longer lifespan than shingle roofs, lasting 40 to 70 years.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingle roofs have a shorter life expectancy of 15 to 20 years.
Moreover, asphalt roofs are more likely to be damaged in bad weather conditions such as hail, strong winds, ultraviolet rays, and extreme hot or cold. In some cases, this leads to needing early replacement.
Environmentally Friendly
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are eco-friendly because they’re constructed from 25% to 95% recycled material. Some roofs are even made from 100% recycled materials. Another bonus is that they can be completely recycled when they reach the end of their lifespan.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are made from petroleum, meaning they take fossil fuels to produce. Shingles need replacing every 20 years or so. An estimated 7 million to 10 million shingles end up in landfills every year.
Asphalt shingles can be recycled into materials for making new roads and pavements. However, most shingles aren’t recycled due to recycling costs and lack of facilities equipped to recycle asphalt. As a result, the majority of asphalt shingles end up as waste.
Both metal and shingle roofing are suitable for installing solar panels. However, metal roofs are the more environmentally friendly option.
Installation
Metal Roofing
It’s challenging to install a metal roof without professional experience and specialized equipment. You’ll want to hire a professional roofer rather than do the job yourself.
Because they are so lightweight, metal roofs can be installed over existing roofs, which is known as reroofing.
However, if there are already three or more layers of roofing on your house, then reroofing won’t be an option. The old roof needs to go and you will need a full roof replacement, otherwise the weight will be too heavy for the structure of your home.
The benefits of installing a metal roof over an existing roof is that it saves money on labor and reduces tear-off waste. However, there are some drawbacks. The metal roofing installation could void warranties. Additionally, moisture could get trapped between the two roofing materials, causing damage.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are fairly easy to install yourself. Since it’s so common, most roofing contractors specialize in installing shingles. Finding a contractor to install asphalt shingles is easier than with metal roofs, since not all roofing contractors install metal roofs.
Maintenance and Repairs
Metal Roofing
Overall, metal roofs do not usually require much maintenance. Metal roofing is impervious to the growth of moss, mildew, fungus, and mold. However, metal roofs can be damaged by gutter clogs if your gutters are not regularly cleaned and maintained.
Metal roofs can also rust, although they can be covered with a protective coating to prevent oxidation.
Metal roofs pose a challenge to repair. Metal paneling is not easy or cheap to fix, as the pieces are difficult to replace.
To clean a metal roof, you can rinse it off with a hose or use a broom to knock debris off the roof. If the prospect of cleaning your metal roof seems too daunting, you can hire a roofing company to clean your roof for you.
Asphalt Roofing
Asphalt roofs are difficult and expensive to maintain. Things that will require maintenance include:
- Gutter clogs
- Mold
- Shingle cracks
- Snow on the roof
Avoid shingle rot by regularly inspecting and cleaning moss growth, especially in moist climates. Moss can be removed by scrubbing it away with warm water and a moss-removal solution. You can purchase moss cleaner in stores or make your own cleaning solution of dish soap, bleach, and water. Vinegar and water is another solution that will work against moss infestations.
During the winter, asphalt roofs are prone to accumulate snow. Sweep off the snow with a roof rake or snow rake to prevent the roof from collapsing under the weight.
Roofing shingles do not show dirt as readily as other roofing materials. However, shingles can fade with time and sun exposure, making it impossible to color match replacement shingles.
Energy-Efficiency
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs have fantastic energy efficiency since they reflect heat instead of absorb it. They work as an insulator by controlling your home’s climate.
In the winter, metal roofs are great at keeping warm air trapped inside your home. In the summer, the reflected heat helps keep your roof cooler. It also can save you up to 25% on your annual energy bills.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are not as energy efficient as metal roofs. They absorb heat, heating up the roof and house. Extreme heat can even cause shingles to crack, which causes leaks. However, cool roofs repel the sun through solar reflectance and thermal emittance, reducing energy costs.
Noise
Metal Roofing
If not properly insulated, metal roofs can be noisy if hit with rain, hail, or falling tree branches. Some people enjoy the soothing sound of rainfall on a metal rooftop while others find the noise irritating.
That said, metal roofs are not significantly noisier than other types of roofs. So long as metal roofs have proper attic insulation and sheathing, they should not be louder than asphalt shingles or other roofing materials.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are known to be quieter than metal roofing.
Style
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are highly customizable and come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, textures, styles, and finishes. There are over 100 different colors available for metal roofing.
Metal roofing can be designed to resemble slate, clay tile, wood shakes, or asphalt shingles.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingle roofs come in a variety of shapes, textures, and colors, making them incredibly versatile. The flexible material boosts curb appeal and allows for easy mixing and matching. Aside from traditional shingles, asphalt shingles also come in 3-tab and architectural varieties.
Weight
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are lightweight, weighing only half as much as asphalt shingles. Typically metal roofs weigh less than 1.5 pounds per square foot, usually about 0.7 to 1.3 pounds per square foot.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are heavy, which puts strain on your home’s structure over time. At an average weight of 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot, asphalt shingles weigh about twice as much as metal roofing. However, asphalt shingles weigh less than other materials such as clay tile or slate.
Weather Performance
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are incredibly durable and resilient against rough weather conditions. Metal roofs are able to withstand gusty winds up to speeds of 140 mph. Generally, metal roofs aren’t likely to suffer dents from hail, but it depends on the size of the hail. Large, golf-ball-sized hail could dent a metal roof.
However, extreme weather can cause oil canning in metal roofs. Oil canning occurs when the contraction and expansion of metal creates waviness in metal paneling. It does not damage the roof, but it is visually unattractive. Freezing temperatures or temperatures above 80 degrees can lead to oil canning.
Snowfall isn’t a problem for metal roofs, since snow and ice slide off the slick metal. When the sun is out, it heats up the metal and melts the snow. As long as the roof was installed properly, snow and ice shouldn’t cause rust.
Shingle Roofing
Asphalt shingles are vulnerable to damage from snow, hail, heat, falling tree branches, and high winds. Moss, algae, fungus, or mold also pose a danger to shingle roofs.
In windy storms or hail conditions, asphalt shingles can be torn or completely blown away. Excessively high temperatures can crack shingles.
If too much snow accumulates on your asphalt shingle roof, the heavy strain can lead to your roof collapsing.
Fire Resistance
Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is impervious to flying sparks and embers. For this reason, metal roofing is great for areas of the country that experience wildfires or lightning storms.
Shingle Roofing
Although they can catch fire, asphalt shingles are fire-resistant. However, asphalt shingles are not as good as protecting from fire as metal roofing.
Impact on Property Value
A new roof adds approximately $15,000 to the sale price of your home, no matter the material.
Insurance Benefit
After installing a new roof, homeowners usually get lower insurance premiums regardless of the roofing material type.
In most states, metal roofs have a lower insurance rate than shingle roofs. Insurance companies consider factors like longevity, fire resistance, and pest and rot resistance. Therefore, shingle roofing doesn’t get as much of a discount due to decay rates and shorter lifespans.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Roof
Visible clues can help you prevent leaks before they happen. Watch for these telltale signs it is time to replace your roof:
- Damaged, loose, curled, missing, or mossy shingles
- Damage or discoloration around vents, chimneys, or skylights
- Grit (flakes of asphalt shingles) in your gutters
- Neighbors are having their roofs replaced
- Sagging areas
- Visible leaks or water damage
- Your roof is past its life expectancy
- Storm damage
- Worn, cracking, or peeling paint
- Corrosion and rust
Final Verdict: Metal or Asphalt?
Now that you know the differences between metal roofing and asphalt shingles, here’s a chart listing the advantages and disadvantages of each
| Metal | Asphalt | |
| Cost | Expensive | Affordable |
| Eco Friendly | Yes | No |
| Installation | Difficult | Easy |
| Maintenance | Low Maintenance | Requires Regular Maintenance |
| Repairs | Difficult to Repair | Easy to Repair |
| Energy Efficiency | Excellent | Average |
| Noise | Normal if Properly Insulated | Normal |
| Style | Available in many different colors and styles | Limited colors but available in several styles |
| Longevity | 40-70 years | 15-20 years |
| Weight | Lightweight | Average |
| Weather Performance | Highly weather resistant | Can be damaged in rough weather |
| Fire Resistance | Excellent | Can catch fire |
| Property Value | Increases property value | New roofs increase property value |
| Insurance Benefit | Premiums can go up or down depending on the insurance company | Premiums are usually higher than metal roofs |
FAQ About the Differences Between Metal Roofing and Shingles
For both metal and shingle roofing, lighter roofing colors, like white, reflect sunlight and keep the house cooler. Light-colored roofs help reduce urban heat islands, which occur when a city experiences higher temperatures than surrounding areas.
Dark-colored roofing such as black absorbs heat and increases a house’s temperature.
In winter, a dark roof is advantageous, but it can raise energy bills in the summer and make house temperatures uncomfortable. Similarly, a white roof keeps the house cooler in both summer and winter, which isn’t an advantage during the winter.
Walking on a metal roof is dangerous because the surface is slick. And metal roofs can be damaged by scuffs or dents caused by walking on the roof.
Looking for a Roofing Pro?
There are a lot of pros and cons to both types of roofs. In the end, the asphalt vs. metal roofing verdict comes down to what works best for you and your home.
Whether metal roofing or asphalt shingles, if you’re ready for a new roof, find a professional roofing contractor near you.
Main Image Credit: Unsplash
