Your roof protects your home from damage, the elements, pests, and more. When choosing a roofing material for your home, you want to ensure that it’s the best choice for you personally, which is where the metal vs asphalt roofing debate can come in. Of all the roofing materials, metal and asphalt roofing both boast many advantages, but they also have their disadvantages. Here’s what you need to know about metal vs asphalt roofing. 

Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt roofing is one of the most popular materials for shingles in the United States and as such, are widely available too. They wouldn’t be so popular without good reason, one of which being their cost-effectiveness, however they aren’t perfect, and that same pro of being cost-effective can also lead to some cons, which you will learn about below.

The Benefits Of Asphalt Roofing

Asphalt roofing has many benefits. Here are some of the ones to be aware of.

• Cost-Effective.

Asphalt roofing is inexpensive and easy to install which makes both the material itself and the installation process more economical than other roofing options. They are also durable and resistant to damage like algae and from storms, reducing maintenance costs. 

• Recyclable.

Asphalt shingles are recyclable, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to other less sustainable roofing. 

• Fire-Resistant.

Asphalt tends to be resistant to fire, which helps keep house fires contained and reduce damage to your property, as well as protect against wildfires. 

• Solar-Reflecting.

Asphalt roofing can reflect sunlight, ergo cooling the interior of your home, creating a more comfortable environment, especially in the warmer months. 

The Cons Of Asphalt Roofing

Nothing is perfect. Everything has flaws; here are some for asphalt shingles.

• Crack Easier.

Since asphalt roofing is a fairly lightweight material, this leaves them more prone to cracking, especially if you live in an area with drastic temperature fluctuations.

• Less Environmentally Friendly.

Though the industry is working to be able to repurpose old asphalt shingles, they are made of fossil fuels and take up space in landfills, making them a less environmentally friendly roofing material.

• Not As Durable.

Since asphalt roofing is more prone to weather damage and cracking, they don’t hold up as much or for as long as other roofing materials.

• Weight.

Asphalt shingles can be quite heavy, adding a lot of strain to your roofing system.

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is tough, and if you want durable, weather resistant protection, it can be an ideal choice for you. It is, however, still metal at the end of the day, which means it’s subject to the same weaknesses as other metal objects. Here’s what you must know about metal roofing. 

The Benefits Of Metal Roofing

Here are some of the many benefits you should know about metal roofing.

• Eco-Friendly. 

Metal roofing materials are energy-efficient, recyclable, last over fifty years, and since they tend to be made of recycled materials and can also be recycled at the end of their lifespan, they have a smaller carbon footprint than other roofing materials.

• Provide Protection Against The Elements And Pests.

Metal roofing won’t suffer from water damage the same way wood roofing would. It is also harder for pests to infiltrate, ergo reducing risks of pest infestation.

• Fire-Resistant.

Metal is generally a fire resistant material, which is important not just for house fires, but for if you live in an area prone to wildfires. 

• Durability.

Metal is a very durable material that’s damage resistant. As such, it also tends to last longer than some of its alternatives. 

The Cons Of Metal Roofing

Like anything, metal roofing has its drawbacks too. Here are some things that metal roofing doesn’t do well with. 

• Noisiness.

Metal roofs can be louder than their alternatives, especially during storms, depending on how they were installed and how well your attic is insulated. 

• Dentable.

Metal is metal, roof or not. Although metal roofs are designed to withstand all the issues any other roof may face, metal roofing can be dented which can lead to further damage. 

• Price-tag.

Metal roofs can be more expensive than other materials, both because of the material itself and because of a more-involved installation process. 

• Expansion And Contraction. 

Metal expands and contracts depending on the temperature, and metal roofing does the same. 

Metal Vs Asphalt Roofing: Which Is Better?

Cared for properly, metal roofing can last three times as long as asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles, however, are much easier to repair and replace than metal roofing, both in how they are constructed and in the cost of labor to do so. There are many pros and cons to both, so when considering metal vs asphalt roofing, ultimately, you need to weigh them and decide what might be a deal-breaker and what you can’t do without. The metal vs asphalt debate really comes down to personal preference and what you are looking for in a roof. 

Are You Considering Metal Vs Asphalt Roofing?

Here at Kanga Roof, we offer both metal and asphalt roofing. We can walk you through the pros and cons of both types of roofing to help you understand which option you would prefer. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a free roof inspection, please contact us at Kanga Roof today! We’ll hop to it.