Metal Roofs vs. Asphalt Shingles

American Metal Roofs installed, replacing an asphalt roof

The asphalt content in today’s shingles has fallen to an all-time low. It’s a simple equation—lower asphalt content equals lower quality. As a matter of fact, the quality has gotten so bad that new shingles begin curling, cupping, and shedding granules in just one year, and the asphalt shingle industry is in a panic trying to figure out how to keep fooling you. That is why Frank Farmer, owner of American Metal Roofs, vows to never install another asphalt roof. In the ongoing battle of metal roofs vs. asphalt shingles, there is consistently a clear winner.

Investment-grade metal roofing, on the other hand, is impervious to the elements that often destroy asphalt roofing materials. So not only will you enjoy the increased durability of metal, but you’ll gain the benefit of its eye-catching beauty too.

Why Asphalt Roofs Fail

If you’re expecting 20-25 years out of these, we’ve got some bad news for you…

Composition Shingles

Composition shingles are comprised of felt or fiberglass material with tiny stones glued to the surface. From the moment these shingles are installed, the wind, weather, and heat from the sun begin to break down the asphalt-based adhesives that hold everything together. This sets off a process where the shingles begin to
curl, crack, and streak due to algae and loss of granules.

Composition shingles also act as a sponge, soaking up the sun’s radiant heat and trapping it inside the home’s attic space. Unlike metal, asphalt and fiberglass shingles hold onto their heat, forcing the home’s air-conditioning unit to work harder to keep the house cool.

According to the asphalt roofing industry, the average shingle roof lasts 17 – 19 years. The actual lifetime is dramatically lower than this in hot climates and extreme weather situations. Unfortunately, the warranties on these products do not cover natural wear and tear from the weather. Damage resulting from high winds, hail, rain, and extreme temperatures are also not covered.

Lastly, in order for new shingle warranties to be effective, the old shingles must first be removed. These petroleum-soaked shingles are placed in landfills across the country where the oils and chemicals seep into the ground. There is unfortunately, nothing “green” about a shingle roof. If a homeowner decides not to tear off the old shingles, the new shingle warranties are often voided.

American Metal Roofs of Michigan is changing the way America roofs, one metal roof at a time. So, while we obviously stand behind our metal roofs vs. asphalt shingles, read what other experts have to say as well about why asphalt fails.

When it comes to shingles, the drawbacks center on service life. While asphalt shingles come with warranties ranging from 20 to as long as 45 years, roofers and builders remain skeptical of those warranties. Since warranties are a marketing device, they are not a reliable predictor of lifespan. In the past decade, there have been many complaints of asphalt shingle failure long before warranties expired. Many homeowners have been dissatisfied with warranty payouts that didn’t cover all the costs of repair or replacement as well.
- Bob Vila

The pressures placed on large, public companies to maintain profitability brought forward good old American ingenuity, reduce fiberglass mat weight (fibers were expensive) and increase filler content (asphalt was also expensive)...”
- Dwain Bouton, President, Certified Roofing Consultant

Failed shingles that we have tested contain approximately 30% asphalt by weight. New shingles contain less than 25%. This asphalt is mixed with sand and fine mineral matter and then has granules embedded in it. There is no separate asphalt binder for the filler. What coating exists on the back of the shingle appears to have bled through the mat from the top side during manufacturing. No wonder shingles ``weep`` water after only a few years.
- Richard Tippet, Applied Roofing Technology, Laboratory Testing Facility

Other Roofing Materials

Just like asphalt shingles, many of the other popular roofing materials today are chosen because of their price, not their longevity. These roofing alternatives, while initially attractive, quickly lose their appeal as they begin to deteriorate. Temporary roofs are initially less expensive than permanent roofing systems like metal. But when you consider the cost of periodic re-roofing, loss of energy efficiency, and potential damage due to weather, the cost of temporary roofing becomes astronomical over the long haul. That is why many people are avoiding temporary roofing materials.

Wood Shake

For hundreds of years, wood shakes and shingles adorned the roofs of homes in America. Because the wood was plentiful and the alternatives were few, wood shakes and shingles became an accepted part of the American landscape. Unfortunately, wood shakes, while beautiful in appearance, require regular and intense maintenance. Because the wood is an organic material, in hot and humid as well as shaded areas, it is susceptible to mold, algae, and other forms of unsightly growth. Since these growths are water retaining life forms, the shingles begin to rot, causing leaks to the underside of the roof. Eventually, the battens and decking begin to rot away and the whole roof needs to be torn off and replaced. Tearing off the old roof will have detrimental effects on the homeowner’s property. Pieces of wood, nails, and other debris litter the yard and neighborhood, and, just like with standard shingles, the refuse must be deposited in a landfill.

Clay and Concrete Tile and Slate

The beauty of clay tiles and slate are associated with certain areas of the country and are thought to be long–lasting and highly efficient. However, the high weight of these products can cause undue strain on the structure of a home. Many clay and concrete tiles are highly porous and, as water seeps into the tiles, the tiles crack and break. This situation is made worse by freeze-thaw weather cycles. In high winds, clay tiles can be quite dangerous and the damage leaves holes that could affect the interior of a home. These heavy products are also very prone to cause a structural collapse in the event of seismic activity or an interior fire. Natural slate is less indestructible than man-made tiles but, unfortunately, the nails that hold them in place are not. In many instances, the nails rust away leaving the heavy slates held in place by gravity’s pull alone. Falling slate can be very dangerous and damaging to property.

Other Temporary Roofing Materials

There are many other roofing materials, such as rubber and other composite materials. These materials are higher cost materials and are liable to fade and chalk in the intense heat of the sun. Many of these products also do not yet have proven track records. Regardless of the material, it’s clear that when you compare metal roofs vs. shingles, metal roofing is far superior.

Metal Roofs vs. Asphalt Shingles