A common question we are asked by our clients is, “Which is better, an asphalt or a metal roof?” The answer is that they both have their pros and cons. We thought it would be helpful to share with you those pros and cons to help you make the right decision for your home.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are definitely the most common roofing material used in the state of Utah. This is due to it’s durability, cost-effectiveness, and ease to maintain. Here are some of the pros and cons of an asphalt roof:
Pro’s
- Variety of designs and colors
- Cost effective and easy to install
- Easy to maintain
- Fire and Wind Resistant
Con’s
- Absorb the heat of the sun
- Susceptible to hail damage
- Can be damaged by ice dams
The cons on this list can be easily overcome in other ways. Through proper insulation, the heat absorbed may not affect other parts of your home. Ice dams can be prevented by installing heat tape on North-facing slopes. Hail damage is not common in Utah, but is usually covered by your home-owners insurance policy.
In addition to the above lists, American Prestige Roofing offers the BEST warranty in the industry – a 100% lifetime materials and labor warranty. This makes asphalt shingles an even more cost-effective option for your home.
Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are a great alternative roofing material for our weather extremes in Utah. Metal roofs provides decades of weather protection, is resistant to moisture, fire, wind and snow, and it can lower your summer utility bills by reflecting – rather than absorbing – the heat from the summer sun. Here are some of the pros and cons to a metal roof
Pro’s
- Superior longevity of life
- Reflects the heat of the sun
- Prevents ice build-up
- Made of recycled steel
- Fire, wind, and moisture resistant
Con’s
- Higher cost to install
- Requires regular maintenance
- No lifetime warranty
- HOA’s may not allow metal roofs
The con’s on this list are not as easy to overcome as asphalt shingles, but because a metal roof is designed to last for decades it helps with the higher cost to install. All roofs require maintenance, but if you have your metal roof regularly inspected and maintained, it will minimize the maintenance costs.
Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with either choosing an asphalt roof or a metal roof. It is up to you to weigh the Pro’s and Con’s of each and decide the best option for you. As always, if you’d like a free estimate for your roof, trust the roofing professionals at American Prestige Roofing!