by Alden Smith
When faced with the problem of a leaking roof, many people only want to get it fixed before it does extensive damage to the interior of their home. Roofs should last a long time if installed properly. The roof should be installed with superior quality materials and should be handled by a licensed and skilled contractor. Remember, the roof is your first defense against the elements, and if the roof is leaking or giving you problems, the whole infrastructure suffers. Because your home is your single most primary investment, it just doesn't pay to cut corners. Installing an asphalt roof takes care of the problems with leakage, but does it make the most sense in the long run? Here, we discuss the differences between metal and asphalt roofs, some advantages and disadvantages,
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most popular type of roofing material. Let's look at asphalt shingles as compared to metal.
* Greater color range
* Easier to install
* Has the best life cycle cost
* Is a proven material for steep slope roofs
* Is much easier to work with. A shingled roof can be completed in one day by a professional crew.
* Do not expand and contract in temperature extremes
* Can be installed directly over the roof deck.
*Asphalt shingles can be laid three installations deep.
* Will never rust or bend
* Are offered in a variety of sizes, with a new asphalt shingle that is made very large for quicker installation now available.
Installation of asphalt shingles is an easy process, as long as the workman follows a few simple guidelines, and insures that the fit is right. Workmen do not need to be highly trained or skilled to install this type of roof. Simple tools are used to install, with a utility knife used to cut the shingles on site. Care should be taken to install flashings properly, and the roofer should follow the guidelines for installing this roof for the locale in which you live. According to professionalroofing.net, 70% of homes in the United States have asphalt shingle roofs.
Metal roofs have for many years been out of the price range of many homeowners. Today, the metal roof is more affordable, and technology has advanced so that a metal roof can appear the same as a roof finished in asphalt. Let's look at the advantages of a metal roof: * Extreme longevity
* Comes in many colors and patterns
* No longer needs to be soldered on installation
* Works better against leakage than an asphalt roof
* Metal roofing is recyclable
* Saves the homeowner money on insurance
* Is fireproof
* Saves on roof maintenance
* Are excellent insulators, saving money on utilities
* Long term warranties<
Comparing the Two
When it comes to longevity, a metal roof can't be beat. Most metal roofs are guaranteed by the manufacturer for 30 to 50 years. They will easily last the lifetime of the home. They add value to a home, making a metal roof a good investment in terms of saleability. Conklin Metal Industries manufactures metal shingles, and have on record homes that were installed with metal shingles in the early 1900's, and still in good condition today. Asphalt shingles last on the average 17 years. Compared to a metal roof, they are much easier and cheaper to install. Technology in the industry has come a long way to improving the longevity of asphalt shingles, with the fiberglass shingle considered to be the best. Comparing the two, we see that a metal roof is probably the best roofing material of the two. For one thing, asphalt shingles are not recyclable. According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. To put that in perspective, if you filled a 40,000 pound truck with these shingles that are dumped into landfills, each truck placed end to end would reach from New York to California and back, and then as far as Chicago. Fifty six percent of metal roofing can be recycled. Because the metal roof last for so long, there is not a need to tear them off and cause more pollution to the planet. Warranties on metal roof surpass the longevity of an asphalt roof.
Dollar for dollar, then, means a metal roof is the best choice of the two. You must consider cost into the equation, and here is where the asphalt shingle roof outshines the metal one. In terms of longevity, better protection against leaks, and maintenance, a metal roof is still the best bet. Many people will shy away from installing a metal roof due to cost, but if you want something that never needs replacement, and adds value and protection to your home, then a metal roof is the way to go.
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