A leaking roof is one of the most common causes of water damage in a home. Water damage can have extreme consequences, such as mold growth. Homeowners can experience severe health consequences from mold growth in their homes. Luckily, you can prevent water damage with a durable roof. As metal roofs are more durable than roofs with asphalt shingles, it would seem that the former is the better choice. However, most homeowners worry about the metal roof cost vs shingles roof cost dilemma.
Most people believe that metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt shingles. When one looks at the bigger picture, though, things look a bit different. Read on to learn more.
Metal Roof Cost vs Shingles Roof Cost Breakdown
A lot of the initial costs of buying and installing a metal roof are more expensive than doing the same with an asphalt roof. However, in the end, asphalt roofs are more expensive than you think.
Cost of Materials: Asphalt Is Cheaper
Asphalt shingles may vary in composition and some individual shingles are more expensive than others. However, most of them contain at least asphalt and fiberglass.
The former material is made of crude petroleum and stone aggregate. These materials are inexpensive to gather and manufacture. In contrast, the metal that makes up metal roofs is more precious and thus expensive.
However, the types of metals used in making metal roofs can vary widely, and some are more expensive than others. Aluminum, zinc, copper, and stainless steel are all common metals used for metal roofs. Zinc, copper, and steel all tend to be more expensive than aluminum.
Cost of Installation: Asphalt is Cheaper
Most roofers should be able to install asphalt shingles on a roof. It’s a fairly simple process to lay the individual shingles out and hammer them in.
This isn’t the case with metal roofing types like standing seam metal roofs. Roofers usually have to have specialized skills and knowledge to install a metal roof correctly. Oftentimes, they may even need special licenses to install metal roofing.
You’ll likely have to pay more to get the right experts to install a metal roof. On top of that, metal roofs take longer to install because the materials are harder to carry. If you pay roofers hourly wages, you’ll have to pay metal roof installers more than asphalt shingle roof installers.
Cost of Repairs: Metal Is (Likely) Cheaper
It can cost more to repair metal roofs. This is likely because only metal roof experts may know how to repair metal roofs. It can also be a more complicated process.
However, you likely won’t have to get metal roofs repaired often. Metal roofs stand up very well against water, weather debris, and other dangers. They don’t develop holes and tears easily, and most water washes right off them.
In contrast, asphalt shingles can split, come loose, and fall off more easily than metal roofs can. You’ll likely have to get several individual shingles replaced after every particularly strong storm. The cost of all these repairs can equal or exceed the cost of a few metal roof repairs.
Cost of Replacements: Metal Is (Likely) Cheaper
You may end up paying for several asphalt roof replacements within the lifetime of a metal roof. The cost of all these may end up equalling or exceeding the cost of one metal roof installation.
Experts have estimated that the lifespan of a metal roof is around 50 years or more. In contrast, the lifespan of an asphalt roof is only around a few decades.
Cost of Energy: Metal Is (Likely) Cheaper
Metal reflects the heat and light the sun produces better than most asphalt shingles. This means the home below a metal roof will be cooler during the hot weather months. As a result, metal roof owners will not have to crank the AC to keep themselves comfortable.
They will thus have lower energy costs as the AC will be using less energy. If a homeowner stays in their home long enough, the metal roof might even pay for itself with energy savings.
Cost of Home Value: Metal Is Cheaper
Another way that a metal roof can pay for itself is with an increase in home resale value. Buyers should be eager to purchase a home with a metal roof. They’ll likely know or learn how durable it is and be pleased that they won’t have to replace the roof for some time.
You may even make back the initial cost you paid for the metal roof. This won’t happen if you pay to get a shingle roof installed on your home.
Cost of Environmental Guilt: Metal Is Cheaper
Another thing to consider is how either roofing material impacts the environment. The more eco-friendly one won’t necessarily be cheaper for you financially. However, you’ll probably appreciate having less guilt over the impact your roofing material can have on the environment.
To start with, metal roofs are more eco-friendly as they’re more energy efficient. The less energy that a home uses, the fewer fossil fuels get burned for the energy. This means that fewer greenhouse gasses will go into the atmosphere.
On top of that, all of the metal in a metal roof can be recycled. This isn’t the case for some of the materials in asphalt shingles. Manufacturers can recycle asphalt, but they can’t recycle fiberglass.
Get a Metal Roof Installed With Us
In sum, the real battle of metal roof cost vs shingles roof cost isn’t so clear-cut. It would seem that metal roofing can pay for its high price with the several benefits that it offers. On the other hand, when it comes to the price of asphalt shingles, you get the quality that you pay for, which isn’t much.
If you want to get a metal roof installed in Edmonton, consider using our services. We offer high-quality products and fully licensed technicians on every project. Request a price estimate from us by filling out the information on this page.