When it comes to comparing roofing materials, asphalt vs. metal both come with a host of benefits. Long since the most popular residential roofing material, asphalt shingles are tried and true, relatively affordable, and simple to repair. But metal roofs have become more popular over the years, as metal offers unmatched durability, versatility, and sustainability. So which is right for your roof? At Dolan Roofing, we’ve worked with both of these materials throughout our time in the roofing industry, and we’ve seen many properties make great use of both. In today’s blog post, we’re looking at a variety of factors to help you decide between asphalt vs. metal for your roof.
Cost
When it comes to affordable roofing materials, it’s hard to beat asphalt shingles. In terms of material expenses alone, asphalt carries a much lower upfront cost than metal; particularly more expensive metals such as steel and copper. On top of that, asphalt roofs are typically simple and straightforward to install compared to metal, resulting in reduced labor costs. When you combine these costs, asphalt is the clear winner in terms of affordability.
Advantage: asphalt shingles
Durability
Where metal clearly shines the most is in its durability and longevity. Metal is arguably the longest-lasting roofing material available, depending on how well it’s maintained, lasting 50 years or more. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, are one of the less durable materials. That’s not to say they don’t last, but their expected lifespan of around 20-30 years is substantially less than that of metal. Besides longevity, metal is effectively unmatched when it comes to resisting severe weather such as hail and wind damage.
Advantage: metal roofing
Reparability
No matter what material it’s made from, every roof will become damaged eventually. At that point, it becomes a question of how easily the roof can be repaired, and here asphalt wins vs. a metal roof. Asphalt shingles are very simple and quick to replace. Metal roofing, however, can be difficult to repair and sometimes requires a complete replacement instead. What’s more, not all roofers work with metal, so you’ll need to be sure you’re hiring a roofing company that has experience working with metal roofs. While both materials can certainly be repaired, asphalt wins here due to how much easier it is to fix.
Advantage: asphalt shingles
Sustainability
Environmental friendliness is becoming more important each year throughout many industries. Roofing is no different, and some materials have surged in popularity due to their impressive sustainability. Metal is one example. While it takes a fair amount of energy to manufacture metal roofing, old metal roofing is fairly easy to recycle into new roofing or other metal products. While there are asphalt shingles that are more sustainable than others, in general asphalt is less environmentally friendly than the various types of metal used in roofing today.
Advantage: metal roofing
Appearance
While asphalt and metal roofing have their own distinct advantages in terms of cost and durability, it’s hard to say which really looks better. As a whole, metal roofing offers more options when it comes to colors and styles, as it’s highly customizable. However, some folks simply don’t like the way metal looks on a roof, particularly residential roofing. In that regard, asphalt shingles do a better job of making a statement while still keeping to a fairly traditional appearance. In the end, it all comes down to your preference!
Advantage: metal for customizability and bold colors; asphalt for a more traditional look
Your Trusted Roofer Can Help with the Asphalt vs. Metal Roof Decision!
Both asphalt and metal roofing offer clear advantages and disadvantages. For a supremely durable and sustainable material that makes a statement, metal roofing is what you want. But if you’d prefer a tried-and-true, affordable option that gives your home a more traditional look, asphalt roofing is for you! If you still can’t decide, the expert roofers at Dolan Restoration are here to help. We have years of experience, in San Antonio, working with both materials, and we’re always happy to lend our expertise in helping with your asphalt vs. metal roof dilemma. For all of your roofing needs, contact Dolan Roofing today!
