Metal Roof Vs. Architectural Shingles
Metal roofs and architectural shingles are two common options for residential home roofing. Both represent an upgrade from standard asphalt shingles. Architectural shingles are durable, affordable and built to last from 20 to 50 years. Metal roofing is also durable as well as environmentally friendly, and it is designed to last over 30 years. Metal roofs can cost significantly more than architectural shingles. The type of roofing material you choose can depend on cost, appearance and weather conditions in your area. Does this Spark an idea?
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Achitectural
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Architectural shingles are asphalt shingles which are designed to be more durable and are easily installed. They are heavier than standard asphalt shingles and look three-dimensional. The layering process used in construction gives architectural shingles a textured look similar to cedar shingles. It also hides imperfections in the structure of the roof. These shingles can be applied the routine way with nails or, for some architectural shingles, can combine nails with interlocking tabs. Architectural shingles are also called laminated or dimensional shingles.
Metal
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Metal roofs are among the most popular roofing types. They are lightweight, easy to install using screws and clips, can be painted in a variety of colors, and can be molded and shaped to look like other styles of roofing material such as wood or asphalt. Metal roofing works well on homes in areas where it snows. The metal shingles allow snow to slip off the roof easily, which reduces the likelihood that the roof will dent or collapse under the weight of heavy snow.
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Construction
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Architectural shingles are made of asphalt in multiple layers placed on top of a layer of an organic material such as cellulose fibers or fiberglass. More asphalt is added to this lower level, and minerals are embedded on top of the shingles to protect them from ultraviolet rays. Metal roofing is made of steel coated with zinc. The metal is manufactured as large sheets that look like individual shingles when installed.
Durability
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Metal roofs are environmentally friendly, fire resistant and able to withstand strong winds and extreme temperatures. Architectural shingles are also fire resistant and can withstand 120 mph winds; they are built to last up to 40 years.
Considerations
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Architectural shingles are among the highest quality roofing materials, but they are susceptible to algae and mildew. Metal roofing is vulnerable to soft paints which can allow metal roofing to get scratched or bend. Moisture can get under metal roofing, if it is not properly ventilated, and cause it to corrode. Metal roofing costs about four times more than architectural shingles.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
