Roofing Options: Metal vs. Asphalt

Key Differences What Are Asphalt Shingles? Shingles typically come in sheets, stacks or rolls and are mostly uniform in design and composition—ceramic granular upper surface and smooth asphalt layering over a fiberglass base. Shingles are typically nailed onto wooden-framed roofing structures, layered and staggered upward from the lowest point on a sloped roof.Because the materials in the shingles are inexpensive and the cost of manufacturing them is low, shingles tend to be the most economical option for roof construction and replacement. They’re also the simplest to install and won’t require any special skill or instruction to apply properly; any contractor will know exactly how to work with them. What Is Metal Roofing? Metal roofing comes in large flat sheets and is folded longitudinally in a few different pattern categories including corrugated metals and flat seam metal roofing. Flat seam metal roofing can be more expensive to make and install, but its interlocking seam design is among the best options available.The design features seams that interlock and fasteners that hold the smooth metal surface to the roof frame beneath, giving these roofs strength and durability while requiring minimal maintenance.Nearby in material but a decade or two behind in design are corrugated steel, aluminum, tin and composite metals, which can be purchased from many lumber retailers across the country. Corrugated metals are also folded longitudinally in a pattern of repeating spacing and are generally attached to the underlying roof structure with nails or screws fitted with rubber washers to serve as gaskets at the attachment points. Advantages and Disadvantages Metal Roofing Advantages

• High longevity—Typically metal roofs last longer than their counterparts of any other construction material.
• Low maintenance
• Chic and popular (for now)
• Possible energy savings

Metal Roofing Disadvantages

• Higher cost of installation
• Installation is more challenging
• Heavier—could pose a complication with respect to the building’s load-bearing capacity

Asphalt Shingles Advantages

• Affordability
• Ubiquitous, available, comparably constructed and priced
• Easy to work with
• Relatively durable

Asphalt Shingles Disadvantages

• Low snow retention
• Susceptible to damage in extreme weather
• No energy savings

Installation

Metal Roofing Because of the weight and size of metal roofing panels, the installation of this material can be tricky, to say the least. A professional contractor should be consulted and probably hired for a job like this, but any DIYers would be well served to hire an extra set of hands to help out. Most metal roofing systems made today have an interlocking edge system, so attention to details and review of instructions prior to starting the project is highly advised, too. Asphalt Shingles Installation is where asphalt shingles really win out over pricier metal roofing options, in part because of the cost and challenge involved in getting metal roofing into place. Shingles couldn’t be easier to install, and any roofing contractor or builder will know exactly what to do when working with this material. TruHome offers both asphalt shingles and stone-coated steel shingles. If you would like a quote for a new roof, call us to schedule your appointment! 608-426-6767