Asphalt Shingles versus Alternative & Metal Residential

It can be argued that the most visible, distinguishing and important part of a home is the roof. The roof generally represents about
40% of the visual exterior of a typical home and therefore plays an important role in its overall aesthetics. Most buyers in the
market for a home will eliminate from consideration any home that does not have curb appeal for them. That’s why four out of
five residential roofs in the United States today boast beautiful, affordable and reliable asphalt shingles.
What are the material options for residential roofs?
Today’s homeowner has a number of options when it comes to the style, material and color of their roof. Asphalt shingles are by
far the most common option, with metal, clay tile, concrete tile, slate and cedar shake as alternatives.
The majority of residential roofs in the U.S. don asphalt shingles because they are beautiful, affordable, reliable and low
maintenance.
Another material featured on a fraction of homes in the U.S. is metal roofing. While metal roofs are environmentally friendly and
not as costly as stone-like materials such as clay tiles and slate, they are still more expensive than asphalt shingles and require a
much more intricate installation.
What are some of the considerations when thinking about a metal roof?
In addition to high cost and difficult installation, homeowners also need to think through the following when considering a metal
roof:
• Care must be taken on large roofs to provide for thermal expansion and movement
• Movement caused by differences in temperature may cause objectionable noises in some roofs; for example, curved roof
surfaces
• Condensation accumulation issues can arise, such as rust, discoloration and mold
• Care must be taken to avoid the use of incompatible materials, as dissimilar metals can cause unexpected and rapid
corrosion
• Metal refining, production and transport of metal roof components can be energy-intensive and is typically a non-local
activity
• Support structure for metal required over older roofing systems (retrofit)
• There are a limited number of Contractor Training Programs
• Absence of skilled contractors
• Lack of organized codes and standards
• Repair, matching and cut-lists
• Lead time
• Walkability
• Accessories like snow jacks
• Maintenance issues with metal
– SH1 Rating
– Re-coating
– Wind-uplift warranties
• Repair and matching
• Exposed fasteners—back out
What are the benefits of asphalt shingles?
For the past 150 years, asphalt shingles have proved the most popular roofing material in North America. The benefits are
abundant and include:
• Versatility/Aesthetic options
– Color range
– Style range
– Natural look
– EnergyStar compliant options
– Reliability/performance
• Affordability
– Life cycle cost
– Low installation cost
• Sustainability
– Energy efficient
– Cool roofing/reflectivity
– Recyclability
• Quality
– Durability
– Ease of installation
– Fire and wind resistance

If I select asphalt shingles, what is my return on investment?
The majority of home owners will base their roofing decision on cost, ease of maintenance and longevity. Asphalt shingles fulfill all three
categories while also offering a range of color, style and eco-friendly options. Careful selection of a roofing material will reduce longterm costs for you and the environment.
• Life Cycle Cost Number
• Warranties (third party source)
• Time and Cost for Installer