Did you know that a new roof can cost you up to $10,000? In some cases, you might have to pay even more. For that reason, it would be a good idea to make sure you choose the right kind of roof for you and your home.
Some of the most popular roofing materials are asphalt shingles and metal roofing. While they each offer their own unique pros and cons, how can you make sure you make the right choice for yourself? First, let’s take a closer look at the benefits you can expect to see if you choose asphalt shingles for your roof.
Choosing Asphalt Shingles for Your Roof
Many people like to get an asphalt shingle roof because it can be quite versatile. If the look of your roof is important to you, asphalt shingles can give you all sorts of options when it comes to design. Asphalt shingles can mimic other materials such as slate, wood shakes, and even tile.
This is not to mention that asphalt shingles come in a wide variety of different colors. They can even come with a scalloped design if you want to make your home look more Victorian. Or, on the other hand, if you want your home to look more like a Mediterranean villa, you can choose shingles that look more like terracotta.
If you have an older and more rustic home, you can even choose shingles that look more weathered to match your home’s appearance. Whatever the case, you should also know that asphalt shingles tend to be much more affordable than metal roofs. Asphalt shingles are only between $100 and $200 per 100 square feet compared to metal roofs that can cost up to $900 per 100 square feet.
The roof cost is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why asphalt shingle roofs tend to be more popular than metal roofs. Another benefit of asphalt shingles is that they are much easier to install compared to metal roofs. This is because there is very little specialized knowledge required to install this kind of roof.
For that reason, hiring roofers for asphalt roofs won’t cost you that much. More than that, your new roof should be finished within a few days. So, if you need your roof finished in a short period of time, an asphalt shingle roof might be your best option. This is not to mention that asphalt roofs are fireproof and can last decades.
Choosing Metal for Your Roof
In terms of cost, a metal roof may not be the best option. As mentioned before, a metal roof can cost up to $900 per 100 square feet of roofing. However, the price is often a few hundred dollars cheaper than this in general.
More than that, the high price of metal roofing is often compensated by the fact that metal roofs are extremely durable. In fact, they are much more durable than asphalt shingle roofs can ever hope to be. The common problem that asphalt shingle roofs have is leakage.
If the sealing between the shingles wears down over time, water can get inside the roof and start to cause damage. Eventually, this will translate to rot and even mold growth inside your ceiling and perhaps even the rest of your house. When untreated, this kind of water damage can become a serious problem for your home’s internal support system.
You’ll never have to worry about leaks when you choose a metal roof. There are no nooks or crannies that water could ever seep through in a metal roof. You also won’t have to deal with the problem of missing shingles after a storm either.
In fact, when it comes to storms, a metal roof is your best option. Not even hail will be able to put a dent in your metal roof. Any debris and rain that hits your roof will slide right off.
This can save you a lot of money in the long run when it comes to roofing repair and replacement. This is not to mention that metal roofs can save you money in other ways as well. For example, metal roofs are great at keeping the heat inside your house instead of letting it filter through the top of your home.
What Should You Choose
As you have seen so far, both asphalt shingle roofs and metal roofs each have their advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right option all depends on what you want out of your roof. It may also depend on what kind of weather you have in your area.
For example, if you live in an area that frequently has bad weather or has a storm season, you may want to opt for durability and choose a metal roof. This can save you a lot of trouble since an asphalt roof can only withstand so much against bad storms. On the other hand, if you want a stylish roof, you will find that your options will be limited if you choose a metal roof.
Metal roofs only come with a few colors and designs. On the other hand, you can get any look you want when you choose asphalt shingles. Then, of course, there is the cost to consider.
While a metal roof is expensive upfront, you will save money in the long run because of its durability. While an asphalt roof is cheap at first, you may have to pour more money into it as it sustains damage in the future.
Choosing the Right Roof for You
If you were unsure about the difference between asphalt shingles and metal roofs before, you should now know all about them both. By choosing the right roof for you and your home, you won’t have to worry about roof problems for a long time.
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