Shingles vs metal roofings: Which is best for you?

So it’s time to get a new roof over your head. No doubt, it’s a challenging and stressful time. Between finding a trusted roofing company to take on the task while balancing your finances, sometimes it becomes so overwhelming that you end up not getting what’s best for you.

When it comes time to get a new roof, you will likely be faced with the following question: Asphalt/fiberglass shingles or metal roofing? Before making a rushed decision, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of both, and choose the best option for you not only for the present but for the future.

Advantages of shingles:

Asphalt or fiberglass shingle roofing systems are the most popular in North America, and have been for the last century. They are a trusted and reliable material for roofing thanks to a number of very convincing advantages:

• ‍AFFORDABILITY: A big reason why customers have chosen shingles over any other material over the decades, is because it is often significantly more cost effective in the short term. A new roof is a major investment, and oftentimes, if it comes down to cutting down on costs, customers will choose a cheaper material. That’s not necessarily to say that shingles are only popular because they are “cheaper”…
• ‍EASY TO INSTALL/REPAIR: Because shingles are the most popular, and therefore more common, material used in roofing, the industry has a lot more manufacturers dealing in asphalt shingles, thereby driving prices of the material down overall. Most roofers work overwhelmingly with asphalt shingles, and therefore they are often installed faster and more efficiently than other materials. When it comes time for repairs, you will find more roofers adept at doing the work than if you had a different roofing system.
• ‍ACCESSIBILITY: As the most commonly used material in roofing, you can bet that you’re going to see a tremendous number of manufacturing brands on the market. You can find shingles in every home repair store across North America.
• ROOF TRAFFIC: Aside from the factors already listed here, such as accessibility to materials and generally more experience in the installation and repair of shingle roofings, the ability to walk on the roof itself makes it much easier job for roofers. Other materials can dent or break when too much weight or movement is put on them, whereas asphalt shingles are very durable to foot traffic—both from humans and animals..
  WARRANTY COVERAGE: The warranty coverage for shingle roofing systems is often far broader and more inclusive than other materials. Most warranties cover anything from algae growth to contractor errors and manufacturing defects.

Disadvantages of shingles:

• ‍LIFESPAN: The lifespan of an asphalt or fiberglass roof is between 20-25, depending also on the quality of the materials used, as well as the installation. While this seems like a long time, keep in mind that other roofing systems can last nearly three times that amount. So if you’re looking for a roof for your forever home, consider the amount of times you’d want to go through the ordeal of re-roofing.
• ‍DAMAGE DURING INSTALLATION: Shingles are nailed to the wood decking of your house, leaving intrusive puncture holes in their wake. Every single repair or re-roofing adds further holes into the mainframe of your house. Overtime, this will compromise the overall structure and durability of your home.
• ‍APPEARANCE: If you want your roof to have a unique colour or appearance, you’re probably not going to find much luck with shingles. Most shingles on the market are dark greys or black.

Advantages of metal roofings:

Metal roofings have surged in popularity over the past few decades. Those who have chosen to install metal roofs on their homes boast that it is far superior to shingle roofing systems. Some of the biggest advantages of metal roofings are:

• ‍LIFESPAN: Without a doubt the biggest advantage of metal roofings are their lifespan. A well installed metal roof can last you a lifetime, or at least 50 years.
• ‍WEIGHT: Metal roofs are much more lightweight than shingles. That will overall have benefits to the structure and foundation of your home. As a shingle roof gets older, it can begin to sag. Because of the heaviness of asphalt, any sagging will put a lot of stress on the wood decking, and could compromise the infrastructure of your home.
• ‍RESISTANT TO FIRE: Metal roofs are Class A fire-rated. They are noncombustible and are the most fireproof roofing material on the market. Particularly if you live in a more rural or wooded area, metal roofs can give you a peace of mind that shingle roofs just can’t provide.
• ‍WATER RESISTANCY: Water literally slides right off metal materials, making metal roofs by far more waterproof than shingle roofs. Particularly on flat rooftops, water can pool, or build up. Over time, this will lead to leaks or the sagging of your roof. If you live in a region with lots of rain or snow, metal roofs could be a great investment for the long term. In fact, metal roofs are great against many of the elements, including strong winds, hail, ice, extreme cold, and extreme heat.
• ‍ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: One of the biggest reasons people are switching to metal roofing is for its environmental sustainability. Metal roofs are the most environmentally friendly option on the market. They are made from up to 99% recycled materials and have a much smaller carbon footprint than shingles. Metal roofs reduce energy costs by 20%, and they can reduce the load on air conditioning units as they keep your home much cooler in the summer months.
• ‍VARIETY: Metal roofs are customizable to your aesthetic tastes. They come in a wide variety of colours and shapes, so you can truly make a unique mark in your neighbourhood.
• ‍HIGHER PROPERTY VALUES: Installing a metal roof will undoubtedly push your property values up, so if you are looking to sell and make your home more competitive on the market, metal roofs have a major appeal with many buyers today.

Disadvantages of metal roofings:

The advantages of metal roofs are definitely striking, and it may make you wonder…why doesn’t everyone switch to metal roofs? Well, there are some downsides to metal roofings that you should consider before making your decision.

• ‍EXPENSIVE: Even though it has a much longer lifespan and less need for repairs over time, the immediate financial commitment needed to install a metal roof is often a big deterrent. Metal roofs can cost up to three times as much as a shingle roof.
• ‍COST OF CONTRACTORS: Installation can also be more expensive because there aren’t as many roofers that have the qualifications to install a metal roof. Especially if you live in a smaller town or more rural region, and it can be harder to find a reputable roofing contractor that does metal roofing.
• ‍INSTALLATION: Installing a metal roof is also a much bigger undertaking. It will not only take longer to install a metal roof, but there is a lot more pressure on how skilled the contractors you hired are. There is no room for error in the installation of a metal roof.
• ‍OIL CANNING: An aesthetic disadvantage of metal roofs is oil canning, which is the visible deformation or waviness of sheet metal. They can be caused by uneven stresses at fastening points and there is really nothing much you can do about them.

When it comes to whether metal roofs are better than shingle roofs, it’s a much more complicated answer. There are a lot of factors that can make shingle roofs a much more desirable option for some homeowners. And for other homeowners, the time might be right to make a switch to metal roofs.