Why Metal Roofing is Cheaper than Traditional Roofs in the Long Run

Are you wondering which roofing system between metal roofs and traditional roofs is the best option for your home? In this article we’ll provide you with a detailed comparison between the two choices to help you make your decision from an informed perspective.

Top Metal Roofs is a leading metal roofing services provider located in Toronto, Ontario. We service Toronto and the GTA and all cities within a 60 km radius of Toronto. We have a wealth of experience with metal roof installation, repair, and maintenance services in both residential and commercial housing sectors. With a team of highly qualified roofers, we can guarantee you the best quality and value for your money. Contact us today at 647-470-7161 for any inquiries regarding our metal roofs.

It is noteworthy that metal roofs and asphalt shingles are both viable options when it comes to roofing. There are also other roofing solutions, including wood and concrete materials. Given such a wide range of options, selecting the right option for you can be overwhelming for the majority of people embarked on a roofing project. Here at Top Metal roofs, we provide you with an honest assessment of the different roofing systems to ensure that your roofing decisions are based on factual research. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comparative analysis of metal roofing and traditional roofs and give you our expert opinion on the most cost-effective option in the long-run.

Comparison Between Metal Roofs and Traditional Roofs

1. Metal Roofing Materials are More Sustainable Than Traditional Roofs

Metal roofs are more durable and sustainable than asphalt or wood shingles. Metal roofs last at least three times longer than asphalt shingles, during which little or no maintenance is required. Due to their long lifespan and durability, metal roofs are considered as the most environment-friendly material available to date and they are 100% recyclable after the end of their useful life.
Furthermore, metal roofs have higher energy efficiency than asphalt roofs. For example, metal roofs remain comparatively much cooler than asphalt roofs during hot summer days, and this helps to regulate the temperature in your home. This is due to their reflective ability where they reflect away excessive heat from the sun, hence keeping it away from your living spaces. Similarly, metal roofs can absorb much of the heat and so have high thermal emissivity as they can readily reflect and absorb heat. Compared to asphalt roofs, metals can absorb more heat during the day and quickly release it during the night. Metal roofs also cool at a faster rate than asphalt, making them effective in keeping your home cool during hotter days. Due to all of this, metal roofs can reduce your electricity necessary for cooling during hot summer seasons.

2. The Convenience of Metal Roofs for all Climates or Seasons

Harsh elements like large amounts of snow, ice dams are a major problem for the majority of homeowners in Ontario during the winter season. An ice dam poses a significant threat to your roof as it can lead to leakage. They can also collect in your roof without your knowledge and go for months undetected. Ice dams form when the insulation under your roof is not sufficient, particularly in the attic. They may also form as a result of inadequate roof ventilation. Due to the lack of attic insulation, hot air ascends into the attic, where it gets trapped under your roof due to poor ventilation. As a consequence, this trapped hot air gradually heats the roof deck, causing the snow on the roof surface to melt. The resulting melted ice eventually begins running down your rooftop, refreezing alongside the cooler eaves, and this results in the formation of ice dams.
The resulting ice dams form an ice wall that builds up along the attics of your house. The more the snow gets melted, the more it runs down towards attics adding to the ice wall. When a considerable amount of ice collects along the eaves, it traps water that is pushed back to your roof shingles and may leak into your house. All these challenges can be overcome by having a metal roof. This is because metal roofs prevent ice and snow from accumulating, hence making it impossible for ice dams to form. Metal roofs are effective in preventing the formation of ice dams, hence the ideal roofing option for regions that experience icy seasons such as Ontario.

3. Fire Resistance

Metal roofs offer better fire resistance than asphalt or wood roofs. Such a feature can particularly be important in regions that are susceptible to constant wildfire outbreaks. Metal roofs are the best roofing solutions in regions that experience extreme weather conditions such as hail storms, large amounts of snowfall and strong winds. Although larger hail isn’t very common in the Toronto and GTA area, metal roofs can even endure large-sized hail with no to minimum dents and can endure strong winds with speeds of up to 130 kmph. All of this proves that metal roofs can bear even the severest weather conditions which makes them perfect for Ontario and Canada as a whole. By contrast, asphalt shingles cannot withstand winds that exceed the speed of 70 kmph, and strong winds lead to their breakage, especially if they were poorly installed. Metal roofs can withstand fire, hail and harsh weather conditions and becausr of this, some insurers also provide up to 30% discount for homeowners with metal-roofed homes.

4. Metal Roofs Offer Better Resistance to Wild Animals, Pests, Rodents, Raccoons etc. Than Traditional Roofs

In heavily wooded regions such as Ontario, it is common for rodents and raccoons to invade your home from tree branches. Metal roofs offer better protection from these rodents as they cannot damage your metal roof to penetrate your roof space. However, several incidences have been reported where these raccoons and rodents have damaged wood or asphalt shingles, thus, causing further damages inside such homes. With a metal roof, you don’t need to worry about these issues as you’re safely guarded against them, making it impossible for pests to cause damage.

5. Metal Roofs are Fungus and Moss Proof

Unlike traditional roofs, metal roofs do not get affected by moss, fungus, and other growths. Most traditional roofs such as asphalt, wood, shakes or cedar roofs are easily affected by mildew, fungus, and moss, and this is one of the reasons they don’t last as long as metal roofs. Fungus and moss growth can reduce the lifetime of a roof by around 50%. This significantly shortens their lifespan, leaving you having to replace them frequently throughout your homes lifetime. Therefore, metal roofs are considered to be the best choice, particularly in regions which are prone to moss growth due to their woody environment.

6. Metal Roofs are Longer Lasting and More Durable Than Traditional Roofs

When compared to asphalt roofs, metal roofs are far more long-lasting and durable roofing solutions, especially for residential homes. As a matter of fact, homeowners who settle for metal roofs for their homes usually don’t worry about ever having to re-roof again in their lifetime. This is because metal roofs can last more longer than traditional roofs such as asphalts since metal roofs have a 50 to 60 year lifespan. Some high-end metal roofs such as aluminum shingles and field-locked standing seams can last even longer. For instance, roofs made of copper and zinc have a lifespan of more than 100 years. The durability and longevity of metal roofs can be attributed to their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions such as ice, snow, rain, and sun, all of which are agents of corrosion.

Cost Comparisons Between Metal Roofs and Traditional Roofs

The cost of metal roofs and their installation are indeed significantly higher than traditional roofing systems. However, metal roofs are more cost-effective in the long run for the following reasons:
First, most metal roofs last for about 50-60 years while the asphalt roof lasts for 10-15 years. Therefore, it means that asphalt roofs will need to be replaced at least once during the useful life of metal roofs. By comparing the combined cost of asphalt roofs and their replacements, it becomes more than that of metal roofs, thus, making metal roofs actually much cheaper in the long-run.
Second, metal roofs require minimal maintenance or repairs, once installed by a professional roofer. However, this is not the case with asphalt roofs as they will need constant maintenance due to the effects of mold, mildew, rodents, and severe weather conditions such as snowstorms and hailstorms. This means that your cumulative maintenance costs for asphalt roofs will be more than that of metal roofs, making metal roofs cheaper in the long-run.

Third, metal roofs are more energy efficient than traditional roofs. On this account, asphalt roof homeowners end up paying more in terms of electricity bills for cooling purposes compared to metal roof homeowners in the long-term.

Finally, metal-roofed homes attract a higher resale value than asphalt roofed houses. This is because of the numerous advantages associated with metal roofs, including durability, sustainability, energy, fire resistance, energy efficiency, and low maintenance. It is also noteworthy that metal-roofed homes may attract insurance discounts of up to 30% due to their reduced risk levels, which is not the case for asphalt roofed houses. For these reasons, metal-roofed homes are more cost-effective than asphalt roofed homes in the long-term.

Contact a Top Metal Roofs Contractor

Whether you need a new roof installed or an old one replaced, we top the list of Burlington roofing companies. We have numerous satisfied clients whose success stories testify to our expertise. Our services are unmatched, and we guarantee a roof that will last you a lifetime. Talk to us at 647-470-7161, and we will professionally handle all your metal roofing matters.