PROS AND CONS OF ASPHALT SHINGLE ROOFING

Once it’s time for a new roof, there are a lot of decisions that have to be made, not the least of which is the material to choose. Two of the most popular roofing materials on the market are metal and asphalt, and both offer different pros and cons. Your budget, location, and desired aesthetic are main elements in making this decision.

Asphalt shingle roofing pros

-Economical in the short term: asphalt roofs are the most common roofs in our region, mainly because they are the most economical options in the short term. Almost every other type of roofing material will cost more for the installation. -Less expensive/easier repairs: because shingles are individual and can generally be removed one at a time, it is easier to repair a few affected shingles in the case of a failure rather than an entire panel on a metal roof. It therefore costs less to repair because you need to replace fewer materials.

-More installers/proven materials/easy to install: shingles are the standard in residential roofing materials, so more people know to install them. They also come ready to install right from the package, so they can be nailed easily onto the roof.

-Readily available: because they are such popular materials, there are many manufacturer’s and and they are easy to get. Any roofing company will be able to supply and install asphalt shingles. There is also a variety of styles to choose from, ranging from basic up to premium styles that mimic more expensive materials such as cedar or slate.

-Coast-friendly: certain metals can corrode when they are too close to water, particularly salt water, and therefore put those roofs at risk for failure. Most manufacturers won’t offer a warranty on metal roofs too close to sea water unless they are aluminium. Asphalt shingles are heavier and easier to replace in the case of wind damage, which often happens near coasts. -Some fire resistant: some asphalt shingles can have fire ratings as high as Class A, depending on the type of shingles.

-Some can be recycled: although it is unusual and difficult, asphalt shingles are often recycled or reused.

 Asphalt shingle roofing pros

-Shorter life cycle: with low cost comes low lifespan. A shingle roof will last around 15-25 years, depending on the material and the quality of the installer.

-Higher long-term cost: shorter lifespans means more frequent replacements. Though they have the least expensive upfront cost, asphalt roofs can need frequent repairs and will have to be replaced over the course of a typical owner’s time with a house.

-Heavier: shingles are heavier material than metal panels, which can cause stress on the structure of the house over time.

-Fire/weather concerns: there are some shingles with Class A fire ratings, but most still are flammable.

-Lower recyclability: there are ways to properly recycle and reuse asphalt shingles, but most go to creating more waste. 11 million tons of asphalt shingles end up in dumps in the US every year.

-Damages easier: shingles don’t stand up to extreme weather, such as major storms, high winds, or extreme heat, as well as metal or other materials can. This means there are more frequent repairs that need to happen.

-Holds heat: dark shingles retain heat from the sun, which brings heat into your home during the warm summer months. This can cause your electric bill to go up as your air conditioner has to work overtime to combat the extra heat.

-Flaking granules: over time, granules can flake off and get stuck in gutters or pipes and cause blockage problems.

-Mildew, Mold, and Algae: one of the most common problems with shingles is that when there is excess moisture, they can’t dry easily, and wind up being a perfect environment for mildew, mold, and algae.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Budget: it’s important to weigh your immediate budget against your overall budget in the future. Replacing a roof is an expensive decision, and cannot only come down to cost. If you opt for a less expensive option, it could cost you more in the long term. Not only do you need to consider the price of materials and repairs over a single lifetime, but you also have to anticipate the steep inflation trend in the construction market. Waiting even a few years could add thousands of dollars to your project.

Building’s life cycle/how long you’ll be in it: your personal needs from your roof are crucial to consider. If you plan to stay in the house for only a few more years, replacing or repairing at a less expensive cost might make sense. However, if you are hoping to get most of the roof’s lifetime out of it, you also need to think of the resale value and if you’d need to replace the roof or not over the duration that you own your house.

Environment: some materials are better on the environment than others. There are plenty of ways to make an eco-friendly decision so you do not leave a large ecological footprint behind.

HOA/Municipality: obviously, certain developments and HOAs have regulations on your materials. Make sure to work with contractors who have materials that fit your requirements.