Replacing Your Roof: Asphalt or metal?
By:
RALEIGH, N.C. --
Asphalt or metal? Asphalt is usually the go to choice when it
comes to choosing a new roof for your home. However, times have changed
and more companies are specializing in metal roofs. Is metal the right option for you? I checked out some pros and cons.
I met up with the recent owner of a new metal roof. As I pulled up to his house, I wondered if I had the wrong address. To my surprise what I thought were cedar shakes was actually metal.
"They come in different styles and colors - some look like wood, slate tile, clay tile, even asphalt shingles," said Angie Hicks from Angie's List.
Homeowner Jesse Price is sold on his new purchase. "Metal roofs are the only way to go," said Price.
President of Metal Work & Improvements David Logue says metal roofing has evolved. "We've taken something that's great and enhanced upon it," said Logue.
Here's a look at some pros and cons of metal roofing. The first pro is durability. A metal roof can last up to 50 years. Asphalt can last up to 10 to 20 years. Logue says after April's tornadoes they didn't receive a single call to repair a metal roof.
Another pro: energy savings. "It's hands down more energy efficient than asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles absorb the heat and once they get heated up it takes a long time for it to get cooled down. All metal roofing has reflectivity," said Logue.
Homeowners can cut their energy bills by as much as 40 percent.
Metal is also weather-resistant.
"We had people call us saying they've had 145 per hour winds and all of their neighbors lost their roofing, but our metal roof is still up there," said Logue.
Plus, you can save on insurance due to its storm-resistant properties. Metal roofing is low maintenance – to clean it, you can hose it down. It's also a green alternative. A metal roof can be recycled.
However, metal will be more expensive in the short term, but it'll pay for itself in the long run.
Many styles meet Homeowners Association requirements, plus a federal tax credit of $500 is available for metal roofs that meet Energy Star requirements.
Here's another interesting fact: In North Carolina, metal products can be installed over an existing roof.
I met up with the recent owner of a new metal roof. As I pulled up to his house, I wondered if I had the wrong address. To my surprise what I thought were cedar shakes was actually metal.
"They come in different styles and colors - some look like wood, slate tile, clay tile, even asphalt shingles," said Angie Hicks from Angie's List.
Homeowner Jesse Price is sold on his new purchase. "Metal roofs are the only way to go," said Price.
President of Metal Work & Improvements David Logue says metal roofing has evolved. "We've taken something that's great and enhanced upon it," said Logue.
Here's a look at some pros and cons of metal roofing. The first pro is durability. A metal roof can last up to 50 years. Asphalt can last up to 10 to 20 years. Logue says after April's tornadoes they didn't receive a single call to repair a metal roof.
Another pro: energy savings. "It's hands down more energy efficient than asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles absorb the heat and once they get heated up it takes a long time for it to get cooled down. All metal roofing has reflectivity," said Logue.
Homeowners can cut their energy bills by as much as 40 percent.
Metal is also weather-resistant.
"We had people call us saying they've had 145 per hour winds and all of their neighbors lost their roofing, but our metal roof is still up there," said Logue.
Plus, you can save on insurance due to its storm-resistant properties. Metal roofing is low maintenance – to clean it, you can hose it down. It's also a green alternative. A metal roof can be recycled.
However, metal will be more expensive in the short term, but it'll pay for itself in the long run.
Many styles meet Homeowners Association requirements, plus a federal tax credit of $500 is available for metal roofs that meet Energy Star requirements.
Here's another interesting fact: In North Carolina, metal products can be installed over an existing roof.
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