If you’re facing the decision of buying a new roof for your home, there are many considerations to take into account.
You will want to consider the style, functionality, and costs associated with your choice of roof.
The most popular roof types in America right now are asphalt roofs and metallic roofs, the latter of which has only become increasingly popular in recent years.
Both types have their own unique advantages when it comes to style and functionality. However, one aspect that is rarely discussed is how your choice of roof will affect your wallet.
When deciding between metal roof vs shingles, the cost is a crucial consideration. Your choice will affect your short and long-term costs, as well as the potential resale value of your home. Read on to find out more.
Metal Roof vs Shingles: The Upfront Costs
Among professional roofers, there is plenty of debate over the merits of asphalt vs metal roof materials.
However, one area that cannot be debated is the upfront costs. Put simply, a metal roof is significantly more expensive than asphalt shingles.
If you’re installing standard metal roofing on a 1500 sq. foot home, expect to pay anything between $7500 to $15000 in installation costs alone.
Compare and contrast this to the average cost of installing asphalt shingles, which ranges from around $2100 at the lower end of the scale to $4800 at the upper end for a 1500 sq. foot home.
Of course, you may be able to find prices below these ranges, depending on the contractor.
If you’re more concerned about the immediate hit to your bank account, then standard asphalt shingles might be the way to go.
Long-Term Costs
Another important consideration when deciding on asphalt or metal shingles is the long-term costs for you and your household.
In this regard, metal roof material tends to win out. For one, metal roofing is considerably more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles.
It is for this reason that the Federal Government offers extensive tax credits and discounts for those who decide to install it.
In addition, that added efficiency will almost certainly save you substantial amounts on energy bills over the years.
Metal roofing is also a lot more durable than asphalt, with a shelf life of 40-70 years for metal compared to just 15 to 20 years for asphalt.
This means that you will not have to pay the re-installation and repair costs associated with standard asphalt roofing, saving you money over the long-term.
Potential Impact on Home Values
When it comes to home values, it is less clear whether or not aluminum roofing shingles have a positive impact.
How a choice of roof material affects the resale value of a home depends on several factors.
One of these is aesthetics. Put simply, asphalt roof shingles are more aesthetically pleasing and tend to add more curb appeal in suburban neighborhoods.
However, it’s worth noting that the long-term cost benefits of metal roofing might allow you to add some value to the price tag of your home if your realtor is able to pitch it convincingly.
It’s worth noting that in studies in more urban areas, metal roofing has been shown to increase home values by between 1 and 6%. Therefore, metal could be your best bet.
Learn More
If you are still undecided on the metal roof vs shingles debate, it’s time to learn more. Make sure to consult our extensive Seller’s Guides to see how your home’s essential feature can impact its value.
