To our readers, thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy.
Tom: Sandy, what is our topic of conversation for our readers this month? Hope it is not snowing!
Sandy: Yes, enough snow for sure, Tom. I recently got into a discussion with a local architect, not you, about metal roofing vs architectural shingle roofing. Let’s help our readers understand the pros and cons of either choice.
Tom: Great topic. Both choices have their place in our local world. Let’s start with the advantages of either selection.
Sandy: OK, Tom, let’s get on it!
I tend to like the look that architectural shingles have. These are the shingles that tend to mimic wood shakes or slate and have a more sculpted look.
Tom: The colors they come in, whether earthtones or grays or blacks, make that difference.
Sandy: Correct. The architectural shingles come in different thicknesses. The thicker they are, the more sculpted the look and the higher the longevity. Architectural shingles, as you said, Tom, have a thicker and sturdier base mat. They also offer more protection from the outside elements. New printing technologies also allow for more significant color variation, making them look more like natural wood than a synthetic material.
Tom: Another positive side to architectural shingles is they contain more surface granules, meaning they maintain their original appearance for a longer time than regular asphalt shingles. Architectural shingles are more resistant to wind and other weather-related events.
Tom: The fire rating is a plus as well. While most architectural shingles are Class A-rated; in fairness, they share that with metal roofing which is typically Class A rated as well.
Sandy: That rating is a necessity in the City of Prescott “Wildland Urban Interface” area. The Class A fire rating is the local standard for sure.
Tom: I talked with Roger Barton of Badger Roofing and Philip Hoops of Bradshaw Mountain Roofing to get their perspective on our discussion.
Sandy: Perfect. These guys are great, and their knowledge and experience can really help our readers.
Tom: Interestingly enough, both these fellows were on the same page with respect to selecting the roofing material best suited for any situation.
Sandy: Let me guess, knowing both these most excellent businesses, they spell out the pros and cons to a client and help them make the best decision.
Tom: Absolutely. The most relevant commonality was two things: context and cost.
Sandy: That makes a lot of sense. Context meaning where you are located – whether in the City of Prescott, or Prescott Valley, Diamond Valley, Chino Valley – the roofing choices will be different.
Tom: Yes. Let’s talk for a minute or two more about metal roofing then get into the good, bad, and ugly of either choice.
Sandy: Metal roofing tends toward a more commercial aesthetic. At least the “standing seam” and similar profiles choices.
Tom: I agree that commercial metal roofing applications have an aesthetic that does not always fit a residential application. They can though in the right setting.
Sandy: OK, I would agree with that. I like the rustic look that I see in places like the American Ranch or Talking Rock.
Tom: Yup. And that speaks to the diversity metal roofing choices have, color being one of them. Roger tells us that with the “Kynar” finish paint systems color can be guaranteed for upwards of 25 years.
Sandy: The profiles available in metal roofing systems is another benefit as well. The range of looks is phenomenal.
Tom: Philip tells us that the styles mimic everything from rustic wood shakes to slate. One of the more common profiles is the age-old classic, “corrugated style.”
Sandy: The type of metal used makes a difference in the aesthetic. The rustic look I spoke about earlier is usually from “Corten” or “Cor-Ten” steel. A weathering steel that is designed to rust to a certain level when the oxidation process drastically slows down or even stops.
Tom: That product is quite popular according to Philip of Bradshaw Mountain roofing. The most common profiles tend to mimic old agricultural applications such as barns.
Sandy: This is a good time to turn our conversation toward the advantages and disadvantages of architectural asphalt vs metal roofing. I’ll start with the cost difference. Metal is more costly than asphalt for sure.
Tom: Yes, it is. Both Philip and Roger agreed that they present all the options to the client and let them decide. Sometimes HOA rules will sway the decision, but a client’s budget is always a major consideration.
Sandy: Depending on the style selected, I understand metal can be 50% to 100% more than architectural asphalt shingles. As you said earlier though, cost and context will drive the decision.
Tom: Other than cost, there are other factors to consider. Philip tells us that labor cost is also what makes metal roofs cost more. He says a typical asphalt roof will take a crew about two to three days, where a metal roof installation can take four to six days.
Sandy: The skill sets required to install either roof differ as well. Metal is not a forgiving material.
Tom: Very true. Roger says he often gets asked whether lightning is more likely to be attracted to a metal roof. He assures clients that it is not.
Sandy: Weathering is, however, a consideration. Metal roofs can last upwards of 50 years with proper maintenance, compared to the 20 to 25 years on an asphalt shingle.
Tom: A lot of that has to do with the different thicknesses of either product. Metal shingles and some other profiles come in gauges from twenty-nine down to twenty-six typically. Twenty-four gauge is about the thickest and is quite expensive.
Sandy: With a standing seam metal roof, the thinner metal can lead to what is called “oil canning,” where the metal crinkles and that can be unsightly.
Sandy: In our area, hail damage is a big consideration. What did our two roofers say about that?
Tom: Philip and Roger both will tell clients to check with their insurance companies regarding coverage from hail damage.
Sandy: I certainly understand depending on the profile selected, where dimpling on a metal roof can be a real issue, like cars can be.
Tom: Roger tells us that either roof system can be purchased with a class four impact resistance rating. That is an added protection from hail damage. He notes there is no hail damage guarantee though with any manufacturer of either metal or asphalt.
Sandy: So, both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Like everything else in life, huh!
For our readers, the decision to go with either material needs to be based on what both Roger of Badger Roofing and Philip from Bradshaw Mountain Roofing agree on, and that is that cost, your budget, and context (where your home is) should be the guiding factors in your decision making. A big shout out to both of my roofing guys for helping our readers!
Tom: I agree, and second the shout out to two local roofers. Sandy and I appreciate your hard work and dedication to our community. To our readers, thanks for stopping in to read At Home with Tom and Sandy. You are in good company, and we love sharing educational, fun, and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN
Tom Reilly, Architect, 928-445-8506
Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.
Leave a Reply