Making the Switch From Asphalt Shingles to a Metal Roof
Mar 21, 2024Consider all your roofing options when it’s time for a roof replacement. You might have an asphalt shingle roof now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t switch to something more durable, such as metal. Here are some benefits, myths, and important details to know about metal roofing.
Metal Roofing Benefits
Metal is much more durable than asphalt shingles, which is important to consider when switching to a metal roof. Since it is more durable, a new metal roof should last much longer than asphalt shingles and need fewer repairs. This means a metal roof can do a better job of protecting your home from the elements for years longer than asphalt shingles.
Beauty is a matter of individual taste, but you may find metal roofing to be the perfect complement to your home. Metal panels come in many solid colors, so you can choose a color that matches your siding and your home’s surroundings.
A metal roof might even help with climate control in your home by keeping your home a little cooler in the summer. The metal panels reflect sunlight, so there is less solar warming in your home.
Myths About Metal Roofing
A few myths circulate about metal roofing, so you should know what’s true and what’s not. For instance, you may have heard that metal roofs are noisy when it rains. This might be true for a shed or barn where the metal panels make up the roof and have nothing under them, but that’s not the way metal roofing works on a home.
The metal panels are placed on a wood deck. There might even be insulation between the panels and the deck. Sound has to pass through the roof and your attic before it makes it to your living space.
Since your attic should be insulated well, the attic acts as a sound barrier to keep roof noise at bay. A metal roof on a home isn’t any noisier than an asphalt shingle roof.
Another myth is that metal roofs attract lightning. However, metal panels don’t attract lightning any more than any other type of roofing. Metal panels can provide better protection against lightning since metal doesn’t combust and has a high fire rating.
Important Details About Metal Roofing
One important aspect to know about metal roofing is that it is lightweight, so it might be possible to install a new metal roof on top of old asphalt shingles if your roofer determines that this is an acceptable method of installation. If your old roof has water damage or other issues, it may need to come off first instead.
Another aspect to know is that you have options when it comes to how your new roof will look. In addition to choosing the color of the panels, you can choose how the panels are designed. Two common options are exposed fastener and standing seam panels. These have different looks, installation methods, and costs.
Standing seam panels are popular for homes since they have a lower risk of leaking as the roof ages. Plus, standing seam panels have an attractive look because the fasteners are hidden out of sight. Metal panels with exposed fasteners have many screws over the roof that may give the roof a less pleasing aesthetic.
Another important aspect to understand about metal roofing is the cost. A new metal roof costs more initially than a new asphalt shingle roof, but it’s important to compare lifetime costs as well. Metal roofs usually need less maintenance, and they last years longer than asphalt shingle roofs, which can save you money over time.
If you’re thinking of getting a new metal roof, call Black Gold Exteriors. We can explain the pros and cons of all your roofing options, so you make the right choice in a roof replacement for your home.