Metal Roof Cost vs Asphalt Roof Cost
There has been an ongoing debate on which of the two roofing materials have better costs. In this article, we’ll be discussing in detail and crunching in numbers so that we can have a visible approach on which material would be great for your roof.
But before we can make any conclusions on which one is more cost-effective, we have to first look at how much each material will cost per square foot. We have to also make weigh-in on several different factors before making a final decision.
Metal Roof Cost
With every building material that we find in the market, the cost will typically depend on the measurement of the material. In this case, roofing materials will cost you for every square foot. If we’re going to look at the average area of a roof for a typical residential home in the United States, it has an area of 1700 square foot.
If you’re looking at a low-pitched roof, you’ll need a budget of at least $9000 for roofing materials that are of good quality. I know that you’re thinking that’s really expensive, but in the long-term, you’re investing on your roof. Additionally, metal roofing is practically maintenance-free and you won’t have to look after it for a long time.
Metal roofing is also quite durable and can easily withstand the different elements of nature. If you’re living on coastal towns, then having metal roofing will protect your home from potential damages.
Asphalt Roof Cost
Asphalt shingles are one of the most commonly found roofing materials that you can find in the local builder’s depot. More than two-thirds of residential homes in the United States use Asphalt shingles as a material since it’s readily available and cheaper. The expected lifespan of an asphalt roof will last you around 20 to 30 years. Although asphalt roofs don’t have a bad lifespan, you’ll still have to do regular maintenance to extend the lifespan.
Of course, there will be times that damage is inevitable and you’ll eventually have to replace your shingles. The average installation cost of shingles will set you back by around $5000 to $8000 dollars. There are certain factors that will affect the cost of asphalt shingles, such as the pitch, the area, and the quality. It’s best to keep this in mind when planning out your roof.
Conditions to Consider
Just like every product that you do buy in the market, there’s more to the product than just the cost alone. If you’re going to buy a certain product, it’s best to first look at the unique qualities that it has and for what specific design and purpose does it serve.
The first thing that most homeowners will look for when choosing the right roofing material is cost of the materials. Just because a certain material is cheaper than the other roofing material, this does not warrant it as the right choice.
Pitch
Certain roofing materials work better in different pitches. Metal roofing will generally work efficiently at a pitch of 3/12. Asphalt shingles can also be placed on steeper roofs but will need special supervision from roofing specialists. In general, steeper sloped roofs will cost you more money to install.
Roofing material quality
Cost will usually determine the level of quality of the roofing material. Another way of knowing that a roof will last you a long time is the length of the warranty. Normally, warranties that will last you 50 years or more is a good sign that the product will last you a longer time.
Climate
One of the main reasons on why homeowners would buy a certain roofing material is that it can fair well on certain weather conditions. Normally, metal roofing is great on enduring strong winds and making water flow faster off your roof. Overall, metal shingles are great for colder weather conditions.
Asphalt shingles are also a good choice for both warm and cold weather as it does have a well-rounded design. However, this type of roofing material is susceptible to high winds of more than 120 miles an hour.
Final Thoughts on Metal snd Shingle Roofs
Ultimately, the decision on whether you’re going to buy either metal roofing or asphalt roofing will depend on these conditions and the cost. When you’re on a budget, shingles tend to be the most cost-effective material that you can find in the market. If you’re going to invest on the long-term health of your roof, then installing a metal roof is the best way on prolonging the life expectancy of your roof.