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Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofing

Asphalt Shingles vs. Metal Roofing

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Your roof has a very important job — protecting your home from the elements. Picking the best roofing material ensures it looks and performs its best!

The roof is a critical component of any home. When it's in great condition, it protects your home from the elements, increases your property value, and boosts curb appeal. Unfortunately, roof materials don't last forever. When it comes to roof replacement and installation, it's important to understand your options so you can keep your home protected long-term. While preparation and proper installation are crucial, the roofing material you choose has the power to enhance the look, feel, and integrity of your home's exterior.

Types of Roof Materials: Pros & Cons

There are many options when choosing roofing materials, the most common being asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, and flat roofing. Learn more about each and their pros and cons below.

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Asphalt shingle roofing is good-looking, affordable, and long-lasting.

Asphalt shingles are the most popular and commonly used roofing material type in the United States. They are cost-effective, easy to install, and feature a high-performance, weather-resistant design that can be reinforced with fiberglass without altering their appearance. In addition to being one of the most attractive roofing materials, asphalt shingle roofing is strong and flexible, offering excellent protection against wind, rain, hail, ice, and extreme temperatures. Asphalt shingles are available in a 3-tab and laminated style.

Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles

Made of a single layer of materials, this type of asphalt shingle features a thin, low-profile design capable of withstanding winds up to 60 miles per hour when properly installed. While they are very affordable, three-tab asphalt shingles are only available in one shape and size and do not offer much flexibility in terms of style.

Laminated Asphalt Shingles

Created by laminating two shingle layers together, laminated asphalt shingles are stronger and more durable than their three-tab counterpart. The layered design is better suited to withstand the elements and can hold up against wind gusts as high as 130 miles per hour. Available in a diverse range of shapes, sizes, textures, and colors, laminated asphalt shingles are a practical and attractive option for many homeowners.

Pros of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

  • One of the most affordable types of roofing
  • Easier and quicker to install than other roofing materials
  • Available a wide selection of colors, textures, and styles
  • Can make repairs without having to replace the whole roof
  • Low-maintenance
  • Fire and wind-resistant up to 130 MPH
  • Recyclable upon replacement
  • 15-50 year lifespan

Cons of Asphalt Shingle Roofing

  • Poorly installed shingles may detach during strong winds
  • Color may fade over time due to sun exposure, depending on the type of asphalt shingle you choose

Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is durable, wind and fire-resistant, and complements a wide range of home styles.

Metal roofing is the second most popular type of roofing in the United States and works with nearly all home styles, except those with very flat roof pitches. Available in stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc, a properly installed metal roof is incredibly strong, durable, and long-lasting.

Metal roofing was previously only available in panels but has since evolved to include a shingle style that mimics the look of traditional asphalt shingles. Depending on where you live, metal roof installation can be completed over an existing roof without removing the old shingles.

Pros of Metal Roofing

  • Highly resistant to fire, rot, and insect damage
  • Highly wind-resistant with proper installation
  • Virtually maintenance-free
  • May reduce cooling costs by 10-25%
  • 100% recyclable upon replacement
  • 40-70 year lifespan with proper installation

Cons of Metal Roofing

  • Up to 3x more expensive than other roofing materials
  • May rust over time, especially in salt water areas
  • Vulnerable to hail and storm damage
  • Noisy during rainstorms
  • Challenging to repair without replacing the entire roof

Flat Roofing

Flat Roofing

Flat roofing improves energy efficiency and adds usable rooftop space.

Flat roofing is an appealing option for many homeowners because it is versatile and relatively easy to maintain. While the name suggests otherwise, flat roofing is not actually flat. It has a very low pitch — between ¼ to ½ inch per foot — that creates a slight slope and allows water to drain off the roof.

Homeowners can choose from three kinds of flat roofing: built-up roofing (BUR), modified bitumen roofing (MBR), or single-layer membrane roofing.

Built-Up Roofing

This type of roof is created using multiple layers, including a bottom layer of insulation board, alternating layers of tar or asphalt and roofing felt in the middle, and a top layer of gravel. As a result, BUR is thicker and more durable than other types of flat roofing materials. However, built-up roofing is typically used for commercial buildings due to its heavy weight, thickness, unpleasant odor, and messy application.

Modified Bitumen Roofing

Developed in the early 1960s, MBR is a lighter-weight, cleaner alternative to built-up roofing. Modified bitumen roofing is a flexible, asphalt-based material with a mineral top coating. It comes in rolled sheets that are adhered to a base layer during installation, either with a self-stick adhesive or by heating the back side of the sheet to melt the roofing material to the base layer.

Single-Layer Membrane Roofing

Many types of membrane roofing materials exist, including plastic and rubber formations. However, the most common option for residential flat roofing is a synthetic rubber sheet material referred to as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). During installation, the membrane material is laid over a layer of insulation board, which is either glued down, loose-laid, or held in place by river rock, masonry pavers, or other ballast.

Pros of Flat Roofing

  • Relatively quick, minimally disruptive installation
  • May be more affordable than pitched roofing on large roofs
  • Depending on the material and installation method, can provide additional space for a rooftop patio, garden, or other use
  • Improved energy efficiency, especially in warmer climates if white membranes are used
  • Optimal placement for solar panels

Cons of Flat Roofing

  • Greater potential for drainage issues, such as water leaks and ice dams
  • Less attractive than other types of roofing materials
  • Few options in terms of design and style
  • May need to be replaced every 10 years depending on the system used

Why Choose Asphalt Shingle Roofing?

As the most widely used roofing material in the United States, asphalt shingles are an affordable, attractive, and durable option for homes of all types and locales. Their weather-resistant design means you can count on them to withstand heavy rain, strong winds, hail, and whatever Mother Nature throws their way — and look good while doing it! With the proper installation, asphalt shingle roofing has the power to increase the lifespan of your roofing system while boosting the protection, curb appeal, and value of your home.

High-Performance Asphalt Shingles from Klaus Roofing Systems

Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Klaus Roofing Systems offers high-quality laminated asphalt shingles designed to provide superior protection against wind, rain, hail, ice, and extreme temperatures.

Klaus Roofing Systems offers high-quality laminated asphalt shingles. As part of our industry-leading roofing system, our shingles are engineered for superior performance, weather resistance, beauty, and value.

Laminated asphalt shingle roofing installed by Klaus Roofing Systems contractors is made using a combination of resilient fiberglass, asphalt coatings, and high-quality sealants.

The multi-layered shingles are securely bonded to provide critical protection from hail and high winds, preventing costly damage, shingle blow-offs, and water intrusion. Available in a wide array of colors, our dimensional asphalt shingles add depth and enhanced curb appeal to your home.

Benefits of Our Laminated Asphalt Shingle Roofing

  • Stronger for greater weather-resistance
  • Fire, water, and algae-resistant
  • Wind-resistant up to 130 MPH
  • Thick, dimensional shingles
  • UV protection from fading, weather, and degrading
  • Low-maintenance
  • Available in a wide range of attractive colors
  • Accommodate most home styles
  • Industry-leading 50-year warranty on materials and craftsmanship

Want to learn more about how high-performance laminated asphalt shingles can increase the lifespan of your roofing system and better protect your home? Contact your local Klaus Roofing Systems contractor to request a free roofing estimate!

Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.

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