Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing
A complete guide for home-owners.
When it comes to weighing the pros and cons of metal roofing against traditional asphalt roofing, the comparison isn’t a difficult one, home owners find.
Investment grade roofing is commonly known to provide far more advantages than traditional asphalt roofing-- namely, increased energy efficiency, protection from the elements and even tax credits – thusly, there's a surplus of information online and readily available for consumers seeking out this information.
Fewer comparisons, however, are available for pro and con weighing home-owners, between the various types of metal shingles available within the residential metal roofing market.
For home-owners considering Investment Grade Roofing, we’ve put together this comprehensive comparison guide covering pros and cons of metal roofing, stacked up against asphalt shingles, and cross compared across the various metal roofing types.
Metal Shingles vs. Asphalt: Comparison
Pros and Cons of Asphalt Shingles
ASPHALT ROOFS
Advantages:
Looks good upfront
Less upfront costs
Disadvantages:
Curls, splits, molds in as little as 1 year
Destroyed by elements – wind, hail, fire
Can require re-roofing every 12 to 20 years
Most expensive roof to own over time
Pros and Cons of Metal Shingles
Pros:
Saves in long-term maintenance costs
Most roofs come with a 50-year warranty
Saves in home heating and cooling energy costs
Resistance to elements in any climate
Adds re-sale value
Costs recouped at more than ¾ of the job cost
Good for the environment (100% recyclable material)
Insurance discounts available
Energy tax credit incentives available
Cons:
Cost more than substantially more initially, than a premium asphalt roof.
Q/A on Perceived Possible Disadvantage of Metal Roofing
A recent question posted by a home-owner in our Ask-The-Experts forum deals with the topic of expansion and contraction.
Dan writes:
Looking at the advantages of installing a metal roof, I have come across information referring to expansion and contraction problems; that over time, with heat and cold, the panels expand and contract lossening the fasteners and causing leaks. Is this a concern?
Answer: This question is probably best raised with individual metal roofing manufacturers. There are various methods by which various products deal with expansion and contraction. There are lots and lots of metal roofing products available today which have no problems with expansion and contraction. Some of the methods for accomplishing this include clip fasteners (rather than fixed fasteners) and accordion-style folds in the metal …
(Ask the contractor you’re working with, or Find A Contractor Near You
Comparing Advantages of Different Metal Roofing Types
Steel Roofing - Advantages
Galvanized Steel(steel with a coating of zinc/aluminum)
& Galvalume Steel (steel with a coating of aluminum/zinc)
Extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and longevity
Broader range of application than other roofing materials
Broader range of price levels and products than many other kinds of metal roofing
Due to their strength and weight. Steel roofs have passed the UL 90 wind tests
Aluminum Roofs - Advantages
Light weight - Consumers can re-roof their home and reduce the weight on their housing structure
Does not require structural reinforcement
Resistance to rust and corrosion over time
Aluminum roofing shingles are completely recyclable and often have a high recycled content
Does More for the Environment.
Perhaps the most important of advantages a metal roof provides, is its positive impact on the environment.
The decision to purchase and install metal roofing can have a greater positive impact on the environment than even a lifetime of household recycling.
Homeowners may not be aware that the recycled content in metal roofing is extremely high, which conserves both natural resources and the energy needed to convert those resources into usable materials.
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If you have specific questions about the advantages of metal roofing, or require more specialized support, please refer to the MRA's Ask-the Experts forum.
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