Metal Roof vs. Asphalt Shingles

Some Companies are offering "metal roof same price as shingles" but its important to look at the financing and the final price that you will end up paying.

When you're choosing what kind of material to install on your roof, two popular options recommended by roofing professionals are metal and asphalt shingles. These are very common in the United States, especially asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles are seen on at least 70% of homes in the United States because they're affordable, easy to install and don't cost as much to repair as other materials. However, metal roofing is growing more popular because of its energy efficiency and cooling ability.

Here is some more information on these two types of roofing materials to help better determine which is best for your home: 

Metal Roof vs Asphalt Shingle Cost Comparison

One of the singular most important factors to any homeowner is the cost of a roofing material. It's imperative to know that asphalt shingle roofing is much less expensive than metal roofing. Here is an approximate cost breakdown of each: 

Asphalt:

• 3-tab shingles: $90 per roofing square (i.e. 100 square feet)
• Architectural/laminate shingles: $100 per roofing square
• Felt: $20 per roll
• Synthetic underlayment: $85 for 400 square feet

Metal:

• Steel or aluminum shingles: $265 to $375 per roofing square
• Corrugated steel panels: $120 to $150 per roofing square
• Stone-coated steel: $350 to $425 per roofing square
• Standing seam: $400 to $600 per roofing square
• Copper or zinc roofing: $700 to $900 per roofing square 

With such high prices, you might wonder why you should invest in metal roofing at all. The reason is its longevity. It can last fifty years or more with little maintenance. Asphalt roofing needs to be replaced two to four times in its lifetime which means additional replacement and maintenance costs.

Metal roofing is also energy-efficient, offering savings of up to 40% on energy costs. Reflective metal roofing cuts down on air conditioning costs and emissive metal roofs help cut down on greenhouse gases and hot temperatures. Altogether, this means money savings, energy efficiency and less pollution.

Here's a breakdown of some major differences between asphalt shingle and metal roofing:

Option	Asphalt Shingles	Metal Roofs
Cost	Inexpensive, but repairs and replacement will mean additional costs down the road.	High initial cost but less chance of repairs and chance for federal rebates.
Durability	Lasts 15-30 years with a 20-25 year warranty	Lasts 50+ years with a potential lifetime warranty
Heating/Cooling	Not good for hot summers.	“Cool roofing” helps to keep air conditioning costs down in the summer.
Fire Resistance	Fiberglass shingles resist fire, but organic shingles do not.	Copper and steel are resistant, but aluminum doesn't hold up well.

Other Factors to Consider

If you still aren't sure about whether to install asphalt shingle roofing or metal roofing on your home exterior, there are some other factors that set the two apart. 

Weight

Metal roofs are often lighter than asphalt shingles. They weigh about 1.5 pounds per square foot, while asphalt shingles average 2 to 4 pounds per square foot. This means metal roofs can be installed over existing roofing without adding too much weight to the structure. Installing asphalt shingles, on the other hand, often involves removing the old roofing material before proceeding. This could mean an added cost to you for disposal and removal. 

Lifespan

Metal roofs, as evidenced by their 50-year lifespan, outlive asphalt shingles by more than three times their lifetime. While asphalt shingles are easier to install than metal roofing, they require regular maintenance and will need to be replaced in 15 to 30 years, which means an added cost to homeowners. 

Location

Labor costs vary greatly across the United States for roofing installation. Research has shown that labor costs are usually higher in places with a low-cost of living. This doesn't mean you should choose an inexpensive roofer for the job though, so ask for references! You also shouldn't choose the least expensive asphalt shingle roofing or metal roofing material when you proceed with an installation. You don't want to see bills down the road for repairs because you skimped to save a few dollars. 

Paint Finish

You can have your metal roofing painted in any finish color or style you want. There are special coats available from low to premium quality. Investing in the premium quality will cost a few hundred dollars more, but it often comes with a lifetime warranty and looks better on your roof as a result. 

Professional Installation

Installing a roof requires a professional due to safety concerns, licensing, time and effort. This is not something you can DIY on the weekend. It's even riskier with metal roofing because installing metal roofing requires measurement, extra time and technical background knowledge. There will need to be an underlayment, vents, trim and flashing installed.

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Barfield Contracting & Associates Services all of Brevard County, including Merritt Island, Cocoa, Rockledge, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, Satellite Beach, Melbourne, Palm Bay, Viera, Titusville and much more. 

(Source:  www.homeadvisor.com/cost/roofing/  *Prices and products may vary in different areas. Prices are from source and do not necessarily reflect Barfield Contracting & Associates Pricing)