You’ve probably heard about metal roofing shingles, perhaps from your favorite roofing company. But, what are they, and how do they compare to traditional asphalt shingles or wood shake? Why would you consider them over your existing roof? In this article, we compare metal roofing shingles to traditional asphalt shingles and wood shake and discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Lastly, we comment on who metal roofing shingles might be for so you can decide if they’re right for you.
What Are Metal Roofing Shingles
Metal roofing shingles, also called stone-coated steel shingles, consist of a layer of granules adhered to a tin foundation with asphalt. The granules offer protection from harmful UV radiation and prevent the asphalt from drying-up. The metal foundation offers a much more solid structure compared to the fiberglass foundation found in traditional asphalt shingles.
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing Shingles
Pros
- Light Weight
- Longer-Lasting
- Recyclable
- Cost Less Long Term
- More Energy-Efficient
- More Durable
- More Fire Resistant
- More Wind Resistant
- More Hail Resistant
Cons
- Costs More Short Term
- Longer Installation Time
Weight
Metal shingles are roughly the same size as asphalt shingles, at 3′ wide by 1′ tall. However, they weigh a lot less. A square of asphalt shingles weigh almost 200 lbs. A square of stone-coated steel shingles, on the other hand, weigh about 150 lbs. A roofing square is 10ft x 10ft. Over the span of a 2500sf roof, that’s a big weight difference.
Durable
An important advantage metal shingles have over asphalt shingles and wood shake is their metal foundation. As mentioned above, traditional asphalt shingles have a fiberglass foundation. Metal roofing shingles have a metal foundation. Metal is much more durable than fiberglass. As a result, they withstand hail storms much better. Those with wood shake roofs often replace them with stone-coated steel shingles for the same reason. Wood shake splits in a hail storm.
Fasteners
Another key difference between metal shingles and asphalt shingles is their fasteners. Traditional asphalt shingles and wood shake use nails to secure them to the roof deck. Metal shingles, on the other hand, use screws. Screws offer superior holding power over nails. As a result, metal roofing shingles are more durable in high winds than asphalt shingles.
Recyclable
In a world of overflowing landfills, some find metal roofing shingles recyclability a major plus. We’ve identified metal recycling centers from Denver to Fort Collins. When we remove an old metal roof, we deliver it to the nearest metal recycling center. Asphalt shingles are not recyclable in our area. One might think wood shake is recyclable since it’s wood. However, most don’t consider the fact that wood shake is so heavily treated with chemicals that they can’t be recycled. Nor should they be burned in your next camping trip due to risk of inhaling those harmful chemicals.
Energy-Efficiency
Every year the world hits new heat records. More people are taking efforts to make their homes more energy-efficient. However, most people don’t consider their roofs. Most people start with their windows and doors. As a matter of fact, a highly efficient roof can lower the temperature in your attic by 22º. This effects the temperature in your home. An energy-efficient home includes an energy-efficient roof. Stone-coated steel shingles are much more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles. Asphalt shingles have a heat emittance of around .15. Heat emittance is how well a surface releases absorbed heat. Metal roofing shingles have a heat emittance of .41, which makes them more energy-efficient than traditional asphalt shingles.
Cost
One of the few advantages asphalt shingles have over metal roofing shingles is cost. Stone-coated steel shingles often cost 2-3x more than asphalt shingles to install. That said, it’s worth noting that metal shingles often last 3x longer or more than traditional asphalt shingles. Therefore, they often cost less in the long run.
Installation Time
A minor disadvantage of metal roofing shingles is installation time. Average sized roofs can be reroofed within a day, usually. Installing metal roofing shingles on that same roof will take longer, sometimes an extra day or two. With that in mind, because metal shingles last so much longer, you’ll be inconvenienced less frequently by having your roof replaced.
Who Are Metal Roofing Shingles For
If you’re tired of replacing your asphalt shingles or wood shake roof from frequent hail storms, stone-coated metal roofing shingles might be right for you. Asphalt shingle roofs usually only last 15-25 years. That means every 15-25 years you’re being inconvenienced by the process of a reroofing. Metal roofing shingles, on the other hand, last 70 years or more. That means you’re only being inconvenienced once. 👍🏻
If you’re looking for a roof that’s more energy-efficient than traditional asphalt shingles, metal roofing shingles will do the trick. As mentioned above, they’re significantly more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles as they release more absorbed heat. Want an even more energy-efficient roof? Consider a standing seam sheet metal roof. Sheet metal roofing is the most energy-efficient roof.
Stone-coated steel shingles require a minimum of a 3/12 (~14º) roof pitch. If your roof is above 2/12 but less than 3/12, stick with asphalt shingles. Interested in metal roofing shingles but unsure what your roof pitch is? Contact us for a free inspection and chat. Most homes since the ’60s qualify. However, we’d be more than happy to stop-by, check your roof’s pitch, and discuss your roof questions.
Stone-Coated Steel Roofing Options
Metal Shingles/Shake
Colors include Barclay, Charcoal, White, Harborwood, Sage Green, Stirling Gray, Timberwood, and more.
Metal Barrel Tiles
Colors include Barcelona, Barclay, Charcoal, White, Spanish Red, Sunset Gold, Timberwood, and more.
Metal Pacific Tiles
Colors include Barclay, Charcoal, Harborwood, Sage Green, Spanish Red, Stirling Gray, and more.
The Bottom Line – Are Stone-Coated Metal Roofing Shingles Right For You
- they cost more initially, but will probably cost less in the long run
- they last longer than traditional asphalt shingles and wood shake
- they’re light
- they’re more energy-efficient than asphalt shingles, but not as much as standing seam panels
- you won’t replace them as frequently as traditional asphalt shingles or wood shake
If you’ve decided that metal roofing shingles are in fact right for you, contact us for a free consultation and estimate. We offer stone-coated steel shingles and tiles from Westlake Royal Roofing. Metal roof installations is one of our specialties. We offer a 5-year workmanship guarantee and ask for no money up-front.