How Much Does a New Roof Cost?
Nine factors that go into how much it costs to replace your roof.
The pros and cons of the two most popular types of roofs.
Published December 10, 2021
There’s a debate between what’s better, an asphalt shingle roof or metal roof? The truth is, it’s not much of a debate. Both types of roofs have their advantages and disadvantages. There are also many differences between the two that may make one type of roof better suited for your home than the other.
An asphalt shingle roof is the most common type of roof according to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA); approximately 80% of homes in the United States are roofed with this popular choice. Other options include metal roofing, as well as clay tile, concrete tile, slate, or a cedar shake roof.
Coming in a second (albeit distant), are metal roofs; however, the popularity of metal as a roofing option is growing. According to the Metal Roof Alliance (MRA), the number of new homes constructed with a metal roof doubled from 4% in 2018 to 8% in 2019. And, for homeowners repairing or remodeling their existing roof in 2019, market share for metal roofing was 12%.
While both types of roofs have their benefits, there’s no denying that asphalt shingles outdo metal roofs in one important category: initial cost. Compared to the other roofing options available to homeowners, asphalt shingles are the most affordable.
Even the MRA admits as much:
“You can expect your new [metal] roof to cost roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs. However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less.”
Why do so many Americans choose a metal roof when it costs two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs? Longevity. The average lifespan of an asphalt roof is 15 to 20 years while the average lifespan for a metal roof is 50 or more years.
It could be argued the cost of an asphalt shingle roof is about the same as a metal roof when you factor in the frequency with which shingles need to be replaced.
Decisions are usually not solely made on cost alone, and the advantages and disadvantages of asphalt shingles are varied which may impact your purchase decision.
While installing a new metal roof could mean you’ll never have to re-roof your home again, there are other considerations that may influence which type of roof you choose to install.
What’s overhead matters especially when it comes to the roof of your home. Whether you go with the popular asphalt shingle roof or the long-lasting metal roof, you can get a free, no obligation quote from a local expert today.
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Nine factors that go into how much it costs to replace your roof.
The pros and cons of each cooling option to help you decide between the two.
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