Asphalt Shingles VS Metal Roofing

Asphalt VS Metal Roofing Choices

As you can imagine, we get a lot of Texas homeowners that would like to replace their older asphalt roofing shingles as replacement becomes a necessity. When folks just like you and I are considering a new roof, often a metal roof choice becomes an option to consider. Having said that, we have put together some ideas and considerations when choosing between a Asphalt or Metal Roof including the following considerations: Rust, Cost and the dreaded least favorite of all, complete loss or interference of your Cell Phone reception.

Cost of Asphalt VS. Metal Roofing

Metal roofing vs asphalt shingles comparisons

This is the biggest factor for most homeowners to consider between the two roofing choices. Let’s say the asphalt shingle roof replacement cost is $10,000 and the metal roof cost double (or more) at $20,000 +, this is most often the case that homeowners are often experiencing. Some will not mind paying the extra money that it takes to install a metal roof because that is what they have been desiring for some time.

The labor to install the two roofs is very different from one to another due to the skill level and experience in working with the two products. For instance, an asphalt roofing shingle is flexible and can be made to fit in many applications where as a metal roof panel is rigid and requires a much different set of skills and tools to fit in the same area of application. It is often common that roofers that have installed asphalt shingles in the past, will attempt to install a metal roof resulting many mistakes in installation resulting in an voided warranty. There is also a big difference in the cost of materials between the two products as well as the many options between the two roofing products as well.

$10,000 Asphalt vs. a $20,000 + Metal Re-Roofing Job Long Run Cost Comparisons

GAF Timberline HD Lifetime Asphalt Roof Weatherwood Color

This is where asphalt roofing shingles wins in my opinion. If a metal roof is going to cost you double or more, are you going to recoup this money in the long run? The short answer is yes and no and here is why: In the past, the asphalt roof will last anywhere from 12 – 25 years on average. That was in the past, today, GAF is offering a lifetime warranty on their asphalt composition roofing shingles replacement . This means, a longer replacement life if you install their lifetime asphalt roofing shingle warranty product.

Metal roofing products such as galvalume, offer a 25 year metal roofing warranty and other metal roofing products can range from 25 – 50 + years. We have even seen some lifetime warranties offered by metal roofing manufacturers as well. The reason for this range in warranty span, is RUST. These roofing panels are coated with paint or coated with a galvanized coating called, Galvalume. If they were aluminum or copper, they would never rust, however the cost would be 3 -5 times + the cost of an asphalt roof that can offer a lifetime warranty.

Having said all of that, here is some quick math thoughts for comparisons:

Should I go with a Lifetime Asphalt Roof @ $10,000 vs. a 25 – 50 Year Metal Roof @ $20,000 +? A quick math comparison quickly reveals that an Asphalt roof at half or less of the price offers the longer warranty of a metal roof, what are your thoughts? Form a cost effective perspective, the asphalt roof is less expensive in the long run if you go with the Lifetime Warranty that GAF is offering.

Rusting VS. Weathering Longevity Issues

Before and after metal roofing applied coating

This is where metal roofing wins big time in my opinion. When an asphalt roofing shingle gets weathered and old, it will experience granule loss and lose its structural integrity and start to fail and come apart.

Those ceramic granules are adhered to the shingle with asphalt petroleum based adhesive. As these shingles age they lose this protective coating leaving the underlying asphalt and fiberglass base to crack and become quite brittle.

No matter what one might put on top of this asphalt shingle, the base has become so deteriorated that it can no longer support anything that is coated on the surface of it. This is why roofing contractors  will re-coating metal roof over asphalt shingles.

Both of these buildings were built at the some time. Notice the roof on the left how it is faded as apposed to the roof on the right. Click to enlarge photo.

Fading Issues With Metal Standing Seam Roof Panels at Hwy 6 & 290 in Houston TX

On the other hand is the metal roof. When it starts to age the most common issue is loss of the painted or coated surface such as galvalume or Kynar 500 paint coating. When these factory applied coatings start to fade, they leave and expose the metal surface underneath to the elements. The most common response to this exposure of most metal products is surface rust.

This metal roofing panel often still holds its structural integrity and only exhibits unsightly surface rust as long as it has not been exposed for a lengthy span of time.

With this metal roofing panel still intact with only surface rust, it is the perfect candidate to be sprayed with a new fluid applied metal roof coating. This coating is completed sprayed on and has a warranty for 10 -25 years. So another words, for a “fee” you can extend the life of your roof for 10 – 25 years. Please note that I said… “for a fee”.

The Myth Of The Forever Metal Roof

Galvalume Standing Seam Metal Roofing

When I get a call from a Texas homeowner seeking a price on a metal roof, there seems an instant connection that by installing a metal roof that it will be the last they will ever install. This is clearly not the case as the manufacturer warranties range anywhere from 25 years to lifetime. Even with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer, you will eventually have to replace that roof after your warranty is claimed with the manufacturer due to the coating failure.

The metal roofing manufacturer typically will prorate the warranty claim that you have against them and either offer a small portion of the original price back to you or offer a discount on the replacement materials. The metal roofing manufacturer will not offer any labor money to replace the rusting and or falling metal roofing panels.

The same goes for asphalt roofing shingles should you ever need to file a warranty claim against them as well. After you have contacted them, they will come out and assess (look at) your asphalt roofing shingles and take an assessment on the service life that is left. The asphalt roofing manufacturer will make a settlement offer that is either a partial credit (rebate) towards new replacement roof shingles, or a possible cash value settlement. Either way with metal or asphalt roofing, you are going to be out of pocket some time down the road when either the warranty period ends or a claim needs to be filled due to failure.

Cell Phone Reception Interference

cell phone reception issues associated with a metal roof

This is an area where most Texas completely forget to consider and is one of the most frustrating to find out onee the new metal roof is installed. Something to think about, when you have a metal roof installed on your home, you now have installed a shield that stops some of your cell phone signal from coming into your home. What you have now created is what is called the Faraday cage effect.

One of the ways around this is to install a signal booster that has an outside antenna to receive better reception. Sometimes this works and sometimes this will not depending on your existing reception situation. If your signal is already poor or marginal, you will probably have none with an addition of a metal roof replacing your non interfering asphalt roof.

Final Thoughts

You have to choose between which roof is better for your home when you consider the cos, rust and possible cell phone reception issues associated with a metal roof. If you are liking that standing seam ribbed metal roofing look, then by all means go with that type of roof. Keep in mind that you are going to pay 2-3+ times more without really getting much longer of a warranty out of a metal roof. Should you decide on the Asphalt roofing shingle, you be saving money up front and in the long run if you get the lifetime warranty shingle that is offered by GAF.

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