A question that comes up often in the residential construction world is the question of which is better: Metal Roofing or Shingles? Both options have their own benefits, sure. As far as the aesthetic of your new home goes, the look of singles vs that of a metal roof is purely an opinion. However, there are definitely a lot of pros to making the choice to put a metal roof on your home.
When people think about the look of a metal roof, it often conjures pictures of rural, country homes. Barndominiums, ranch homes, and farm houses definitely lean towards metal roofing when they are built, but there is a great reason for that. Metal roofs are quicker to install and last at least twice as long as the standard shingle roof. Where I grew up, cost is something that everyone had to be keenly aware of. Farmers, typically speaking, are not rolling in anything but hay and mud. Much less dough.
Metal Roofing, Pros and Cons
The Pros
The biggest reason to have a metal roof over shingles is the lifetime of your roof. On average, metal roofing costs MORE for a first time installation than shingles. Yes, I know I said that shingles are the more expensive ones, and I didnt lie. Over the course of a shingle roof’s life it degrades, warps, and loses layer after layer to rain and weather. Simply put, metal doesn’t.
Of course, each roof is different and requires a different sort of attention, labor, and material costs to complete. The more complicated your roof is, the higher it is going to cost for us to replace it. A roof that has 2 low-grade slopes and a single ridge is going to cost a whole lot less than a roof with 6 valleys, 5 ridges, and some skylights. But either way you slice it, metal roofing will still save your money in the long run.
The primary reason why we suggest that you at least consider a metal roof is that shingles need to be replaced every 30 years (at least, but some recommend every 20), while metal roofs have an average usability life of 60 years. Using the prices from RoofingCalc.com (on the right), this would mean that for the metal roof you would pay $21,833 for installation, and $15,448 for a shingle roof. A difference of $6,385. In my experience, 6k can be the difference between affording and not when it comes to a home. However, if this is going to be your forever home then hear me out. In 25 years or so you will have to replace those shingles for another $15,448. Meaning you paid $30,896 over the life of your home just on shingles. Making shingles cost $9,063 more. And this is if all prices stay the same. Highly unlikely.
Environmentally Friendly– Metal roofing, in general, is easier on the environment than shingles. For one, metal roofing is easily recyclable where as shingles are not. In fact, most metal roofing panels are made from recycled materials already. Additionally, the thin layer of material that goes under the metal to protect against water vapor, ice, etc, is also highly recyclable.
Installation – Metal roofing is easier to install than shingles if you have someone who knows that they are doing and has the tools. In fact, shingles can be a down right pain to install. Metal Roofing is almost like those old Lincoln Logs, they just kind of fit together nicely. The panels are also lightweight, meaning it puts less of a strain on your house’s structure.
Cost-Saving – Metal Roofs do not just save you money from the installation, but can also save you money in the long run by reducing the costs to maintain. Metal Roofs are a synch to maintain and often take very little effort (if any). Your insurance company will thank you too, generally in the form of a lower premium. Metal roofing can be, and often is, simply installed over the existing shingle roof. This saves you time and money when we do not have to take off all those shingles.
Aesthetic – Metal on top of your home gives it a sleek, modern look that can be ageless. It comes in a variety of colors and has a few different options as far as shapes go. You can even opt for metal shingles if you really wanted to. Really, metal roofing can fit whatever look your are going for with your new home.
Cons
A lot of the downsides of Metal Roofing comes with the installation. Not that it is particularly difficult to install, but rather it does have a higher up-front cost compared with shingles. Despite it’s ease, metal roofing has to be installed right and requires more precision than shingles. Each ridge, cap, and valley has to be water tight enough to ensure that you do not have any roof leaks. Therefore, it can be harder to find a contractor willing to instal a metal roof than it is for a shingle roof.
While a metal roof might save you some money on your insurance premium, it could be more costly to replace than a shingle roof, causing you to foot some of the bill for repairs. Additionally, some neighborhoods just do not allow metal roofs in their building restrictions. We always recommend that you check your local restrictions and ordinances before deciding on your new roof.
Shingles, Pros and Cons
Pros
A significant point in the favor of shingles is that of the lower upfront costs. If you are looking at flipping a home, or staying in the home for only a few years, then shingles might be the way to go. Though a metal roof can increase your home’s value, shingles roofs are just the more affordable option. Shingles are, simply put, more cost friendly in the short term.
It is also easier to find someone to install shingles. A ton of contractors can do it because it doesn’t really require any expert knowledge or special tools. Generally, you can replace a shingle roof with a hammer, a ladder, and the materials. I am over simplifying it, sure, but not by much. Because of the ease of installation, shingles typically come with more warranty options than metal roofing does.
Shingles can also be just more pleasing to look at for some folks. The have a traditional look to them than can be pleasing in it’s own right. Shingles can also be easily walked on without slipping, making it a requirement for some roofs. This also makes it easier for the installer seeing as they do not chance denting, scuffing, or impacting the shingles when the crew walks on the roof.
Cons
Shingles can provide upfront savings and be easier to find people to install them, but that is where the benefits end. Shingles have a short life-cycle, lasting typically only 20-30 years before having to be replaced. Replacements are very common with shingles, and each time you have to tear off the existing layer and redo the entire portion you are replacing.
Installation – Shingles can be messy and can damage the existing roof deck to even install. The more layers of roof that you have to replace, the more expensive it will be to replace it.
Not Environmentally Friendly- Shingles are made from asphalt, which is an oil based product. When shingles are removed, they can not be recycled easily. While it is possible, most singles go straight to landfills. This means that all that tar and oil just sits in a land fill somewhere, seeping into the dirt.
Low Durability – Shingles just do not have the shelf life that metal does. They damage more easily, are not nearly as fire-resistance as metal, and can even grow mildew or algae. In fact, seeing as shingles are made from oil, if a fire ever breaches the top layer of the shingles then it is more likely to combust rather than keep the fire out.
Aesthetic – Unlike metal, shingles just do not come in the same variety of colors. Most shingles are black, but you can get some that are reddish or brown. You will not be getting that matte sheen you get from metal, though.
Wrapping Up
When it comes to your home, each choice you make is going to feel like it is personal. I am sure that you will deliberate for a long time over shingles vs metal roofing, and you should. There is a lot to consider. How long are you going to live in your current home? How much do you care about the re-sale value? How do you want your home to look? A roof over your head is the only barrier between you and being homeless. The importance of the actual roof should be just as important to you. As you and your family sleep, the roof over your head protects you from the wind, rain and storms. You should consider the following areas when it comes to your roofing choice.
Style
What kind of home do you want to drive up to every day after work? What do you want it to look like when you are outside, firing up the grill or relaxing in your back yard? A roof might not seem important to these kinds of images, but would you rather look at your house and see a grey shingle roof, or a vibrant blue metal one?
Either way you should get to know your roof and it’s cost. What is your roof slope? How many valleys, skylights, ridges, and hips does your roof have? What is the square footage of your roof? Which parts are shaded? Finding the answer to all these questions can help you, and your contractor, when deciding on a new roof.
Use
What are you going to use the building for? Is it a rental that you are going to flip in a year or two, or is it a home that you will be raising your children in? Do you want to be able to lay out on your roof, or do you care more about the look? These are the types of questions that you have to keep in mind as well. If your home will have a short use cycle for you, say less than 20 years, then you might want to go with a shingle roof.
Another factor in use is the kind of environment that you will be living in. It is particularly hot and rainy or dry, but cold? High winds and heavy rains can make a shingle’s life span shortened significantly where as metal roofing does just as well in wind and rain. You want to consider your HOA and neighborhood restrictions as well. If your HOA says no metal roofs, well it makes your choice a lot easier.
Budget
The most important factor is, of course, what you can afford. Metal roofing is more expensive up front. If you just don’t have the extra money to install the metal roof you want, shingles do the job just fine. If you have more money or a larger cash flow, then you should definitely consider installing a metal roof for it’s longevity and housing value.
Find a Contractor
Find yourself a contractor that is willing to help you with your roofing needs. Contractors are experts in their trades and frankly, know more than you most of the time. In the information age, we like to think that everything is available on the internet and that we can learn any skill from Youtube videos. If we were all tradesmen, perhaps the world might be a better place, but I would definitely be out of work.
So find a contractor that you can trust. Ask your friends and family for recommendations and just do a search online for contractors in your area. If you live in Central Alabama give us a call and we would be more than happy to help you and your family find what it is that you need.
Whomever you decide to work with, make sure that they are fully licensed and have done the kind of work that you are wanting them to perform. Talk with some of their previous clients, if possible, and really get a feel for their reliability. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there that just don’t put their best into their work. Hiring the right person for the job can give you peace of mind, but more importantly can save you a ton of money by getting it right the first time.
Mid-State Construction 