The Definitive Guide – Stone Coated Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles
It's normal, as a homeowner, to be concerned about your roof, especially when you know it's aging.
But it can be overwhelming to think about the cost and details that go into replacing your existing roof.
Your mind is swimming with questions like:
What should my new roof look like?
What roofing style should I choose?
Stone-coated metal roofing is becoming more popular in houses today, and many homeowners are wondering if it is worth making the switch from traditional asphalt shingles to stone-coated metal shingles.
So how do you decide between the two?
At K Graber Construction, we know that you want to make an informed decision about your roof and invest wisely in your future. And we want to help you do just that!
In this guide, we will discuss 6 of the most common questions in this discussion and how they might affect the decision that you make.
Cost Comparison: Stone Coated Metal vs. Asphalt Shingles
“How much does it cost?”
This single question is the largest influencer for many people in their decision.
After all, if stone-coated metal roofing breaks the bank, then is it worth putting on your roof?
Factors affecting the cost
There are many factors that play into the pricing of a new roof, no matter what roofing materials you use.
For example, if your roof has several gables, hips and valleys, or dormers, then it will cost more to install a new roof.
Many of these factors will cause the price of a new roof, whether you use asphalt or metal shingles, to either increase or decrease at a similar rate because the amount of labor will be similar.
No matter what, make sure you get a solid proposal from your roofing contractor that will give you the cost of the project and a breakdown of what is included. After all, no one likes hidden expenses!
The Average Cost of Asphalt Shingles
While asphalt shingle pricing can vary depending on the warranty you choose, the average cost of a new asphalt shingle roof is $4.25 to $6.50 per square foot of roofing space.
Your roofing contractor can discuss what options will work best for you since the location, temperatures, weather, building codes, and other factors can determine which warranty option is best for you.
The Average Cost of Stone Coated Metal Shingles
Stone-coated metal roofing is typically more than asphalt shingles; in fact, sometimes twice as much or more!
Like asphalt shingles, stone-coated metal roofing will vary on the style you choose and your roof, but the average is $10.50 to $18.50 per square foot of roofing space.
Of course, we need to explore more than just cost when it comes to a good roofing material for your home. To take a deeper dive into the topic, you should read our blog post on 7 Factors To Consider When Getting A New Roof.
Do Stone Coated Metal Shingles Or Asphalt Shingles Look Better?
This is your house, so you decide what it looks like, right?
While the roof might not be as noticeable as other parts of your house, if it doesn't complement your house’s design or color scheme, it will stick out like a sore thumb.
Asphalt Shingles: The Default Homeowner Look
Most people are familiar with the standard asphalt shingle look. When they are new, they have a distinct color, usually darker-toned, and provide a nice uniform look.
One of the biggest complaints with asphalt shingles is that they often begin to fade over time due to sun and weather exposure.
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles: Not Your Typical Metal Roof
On the other hand, when people hear “metal roof” they often immediately think of the types of metal roofing used on commercial buildings.
However, stone-coated metal roofing is different than standard metal roofing. Because of the stone particles attached to the metal plates, stone-coated metal roofing is able to avoid the “commercial metal” look that many homeowners want to avoid.
(Check out the beauty of stone-coated metal in this blog about Decra Roofing.)
In fact, depending on the style of coating you get, a stone-coated metal roof can keep its look longer than an asphalt shingle roof because it won’t fade as quickly.
Concerns With Stone Coated Metal Roof Aesthetics
A potential downfall to using stone-coated metal roofing is that the flashing and other attachment parts are also metal. While this is not usually a problem, if the installation is poorly done or if incorrect parts are used, rust can develop, leading to rust stains.
Make sure to ask your roofing contractor what warranties or services they offer if this becomes an issue.
Evironmental Friendliness of Asphalt Shingles and Metal Roofing
With climate change becoming an ever-present reality, and with our landfills and oceans filling with junk, being environmentally friendly is worth considering when you replace your roof.
Asphalt shingles: not usually eco-friendly
Asphalt shingles are not usually made from recyclable materials. While some shingles may have parts of organic material in them, most are made from asphalt and fiberglass.
It is estimated that 11 million tons of shingle waste are created every year in the US, and much of it ends up in landfills.
Stone-coated metal shingles: Recyclable friendly
Stone-coated metal shingles, on the other hand, have two big advantages due to being made of metal.
First, they can be made from recycled materials.
And second, if you ever remove them from your roof, you can recycle them!
Metal shingles sometimes reduce energy expenses in a home, particularly in the summer. Because metal does a better job at reflecting sunlight, having a metal roof can help keep temperatures down in the summer.
One valid concern that many have with a metal roof is noise, particularly when there is heavy rain.
Noise levels will vary somewhat depending on your situation, although metal roofing is potentially much louder than asphalt shingles in a rainstorm. Talk to your contractor about what noise levels you can expect, ways to dampen the noise, and what those noise-dampening methods will cost.
Installing Asphalt Shingles vs. Installing Stone-Coated Metal
You are probably going to have a local roofing contractor install your new roof for you, but you still want to think about the installation process.
And why does this concern you if you aren’t the one on the roof?
Because you are paying for it!
There are many factors of your roof that will affect installation time, and which shingle type you choose will affect this.
Asphalt Shingles Often Require The Old Roof To Be Removed
Standard asphalt shingles are relatively heavy when they are installed on the roof.
Because of this, it is rare that a house is able to hold 2 layers of shingles. Therefore, the roofing contractor will need to remove the old layer of shingles first.
While it is common and pretty standard to remove the old roof, it does require extra labor and tools which add to your bill.
Stone-Coated Metal Shingles Can Possibly Go On The Old Roof
Because they are lighter than asphalt shingles, sometimes a new stone-coated metal roof can be installed directly on top of the old existing roof.
You will want to have this approved by an engineer or architect. After all, you don’t want parts of your roof collapsing when they have some extra snow on them!
If it is possible to keep your old roof, this can save a day or two of labor. The good news is that this saved labor can help make the more expensive stone-coated metal shingles more affordable.
And honestly, this is just one of the many reasons stone-coated metal is a great roofing material!
Comparing Longevity: Asphalt Shingles vs. Stone Coated Metal
A big factor in what you put on your house roof is the longevity and warranty of your roof.
After all, it might make sense to spend more on a roof product that has a longer warranty if you know that you will be there for the long term.
Asphalt shingles: 15-30 year expectancy
As you look over quotes on a new asphalt shingle roof, you will notice that pricing will vary depending on the warranty and lifespan that you choose.
Most shingle warranties and expectancies will fall in the 15-30 year range. This means that if you live in the same home for most of your life, you can expect to replace your roof 2-3 times.
Metal roofs: 40-70 year expectancy
Because they are made of metal and won’t degrade as quickly, stone-coated metal roofs have a life expectancy in the 40-70 year range.
This can be a game-changer when compared to asphalt shingles and the price difference. For example, if a house has been owned by your family for 100 years, you would probably need to replace the roof 4 times with standard asphalt shingles, but only 2 times with stone-coated metal shingles!
Your long-term goals are a factor
You should think about your long-term goals for your house as you look at different roof types.
If your goal is to save money and avoid debt, then the asphalt roof is probably your best option; but be ready to replace it sooner.
On the other hand, if having a long-term roof that you will rarely need to replace is your priority, then stone-coated metal shingles are worth considering.
But while longevity is one advantage of stone-coated metal roofing, there are other factors to consider as well.
Maintaining Asphalt Shingles and Stone-Coated Metal Shingles
Part of the roof’s longevity, whether you have asphalt or metal shingles, is the maintenance that you do on the roof and the environment that you are in.
So which roof is a better option if you don’t want to be climbing the ladder to take care of issues on your roof?
General Roof Care
It is important to note that every roof, no matter the roof style, will require a certain level of maintenance.
It is important to keep debris off the roof and out of your gutters. If you see leaves beginning to pile up, they should be removed.
It is also good to watch for moss or other fungi that might begin to grow on your roof, especially if you live in a damp climate.
Asphalt shingles: More Likely To Warp And Curl
Asphalt shingles generally come with a shorter warranty, and this also means they will require maintenance earlier than metal shingles.
Generally, the biggest maintenance issue with asphalt shingles is when the shingles begin to show various signs of wear. This includes cracking, curling, or warping, which often comes from sun exposure or extreme weather.
If you live in a high-wind area, then you also want to be aware that asphalt shingles are quicker to blow off the roof during periods of extreme wind.
Metal Shingles: More Likely To Expand And Shrink
Stone-coated metal shingles do not face the same problems as asphalt shingles, particularly with sun exposure.
Because they are made of metal, they will not curl, crack, or show other signs of wear that are common with asphalt shingles. And if they are fastened correctly they are less likely to blow off a roof.
However, metal shingles are not perfect.
Their biggest weakness occurs during temperature changes. Metal will expand and contract with heat changes, and metal shingles are subject to these changes as well. If this movement happens on the roof, it can potentially allow water damage to the fasteners or the roof.
Thankfully much of this can be avoided if the metal shingles are installed properly. When choosing a roofing contractor, it is important to pick one that has good reviews and will honor their workmanship warranty in case the shingles do begin to expand and contract.
Conclusion
When deciding between a traditional asphalt shingle roof and a stone-coated metal roof, it is a good idea to look at the pros and cons of both.
If you have gone over this list and you are still unsure, it might be good to think about your priority for your roof and let that affect your decision.
For example, if short-term cost is important, then you probably want asphalt shingles. However, if the environment is most important, then stone-coated metal shingles are probably the winner.
Whatever fits your lifestyle the best, just make sure you choose the right local roofing contractor to partner with in the installation.
If you live in Miami County, Grant County, Howard County, or Cass County in Indiana; then we would love to work with you at K Graber Construction.
We offer services beyond roofing like:
Contact us today to get your personalized quote as well as further guidance on which roof will suit your situation the best!