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Shingle Roofs vs Metal Roofs how to decide.
Steel Roof on a New Home
Pros and cons of composition asphalt shingles and steel (metal) roofs. Consider lifetime, roof durability, cost, protection from the elements, and fire resistance.
Shingle Roofs VS Metal Roofs
A home’s roof is arguably the most important component. After all, the roof protects the house from the elements: rain, snow, sleet, and hail. The two most common residential roofing materials are composition shingles (or asphalt shingles), and steel (also known as a metal roof). When the homeowner is installing the original roof on a new home or when the time has come to replace the old roof, the homeowner needs to consider metal roofs vs. shingle roofs.
Composition Shingle Roofs
Composition shingle roofs are the most popular because of their economy and the number of options available. The composition shingle has a fiberglass mat core. The fiberglass gives the shingle flexibility and provides some fire resistance. The exterior of the composition shingle has a weather resistant asphalt coating embedded with crushed rock. The lifetime of the composition shingle is 15 to 20 years.
The price of composition shingles varies widely depending on a number of factors. On the low end of the price scale are the plain, flat shingles. For a more appealing appearance, many homeowners opt for a slightly more expensive shingle; one that incorporates a three dimensional look. One manufacturer calls this the “shadow”. These composition shingles have more of a beefy look, reminiscent of the cedar shake shingles of old.