The two main types of roofs we offer at Fine Line Improvements for residential buildings are asphalt and metal roofs. (Check out our silicone coatings for flat, commercial roofs.) Both of these roof types are excellent options for protecting your home, and each offers its own unique attributes that make it an ideal choice. Struggling to decide between an asphalt and a metal roof for your home? Here are some things to think through:
Asphalt Roofs
A shingled, asphalt roof is a common choice for homeowners. Asphalt offers a classic look at an economical price point. The roofing materials for asphalt roofs are more budget-friendly, and they require less time to install than other roofs, saving you money on the material cost and the labor cost.
Asphalt roofs also offer a more customizable and dimensional look to your roof. We often use architectural shingles, rather than 3-tab shingles, due to the dimension in color and thicker material, which adds to their durability. The depth and range of colors adds interest to your roof, something that is unachievable with a metal roof.
Another benefit to asphalt roofs is their noise-reducing quality. During a storm, asphalt shingles abosrb noise better than other types of roofs, and according to GAF, our asphalt roofing supplier, “many of them also have a UL Class A fire rating, the best rating possible.”
Metal Roofs
More popular than ever, metal roofs are a solid choice for those looking to maximize the protection and durability of their home. While usually more expensive, our metal roofs come with a 40-year warranty and can be installed over an existing roof, eliminating the process and cost of a tear-off. Metal roofs are more durable than asphalt due to their ability to withstand the elements. They are less likely to become damaged from snow, hail and wind, minimizing the repair costs over the years.
A major bonus of metal roofs is their energy efficiency. Metal roofs are installed in a way that allows for airflow underneath, which the U.S. Department of Energy discovered helps improve their energy efficiency by redirecting heat in the summer and acting as extra insulation in the winter. They also reflect sunlight away from your home, rather than absorbing it, offering a cost-effective way of lowering your energy consumption for cooling in the summer.
Choosing your roof type is a major decision and one to think through fully. Asphalt roofs give a more classic and dimensional look while being more cost-effective up front, but require more maintenance and repair work down the road. Metal roofs can be more expensive at first, but they do not need as much maintenance as asphalt roofs. Luckily, Fine Line Improvements is happy to provide free quotes for both options. Thinking about a metal roof but wanting to take it one step at a time? We also do partial roof replacements! Contact us if you have any questions or are ready to dive into your next home improvement project.