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Having a new roof installed on your home is an exciting time. A few short weeks from now, you’ll be able to put any leaks or other problems behind you and start enjoying your home’s upgraded aesthetics. You may even start saving money each month on your heating and cooling bills.
But before you can sign on the dotted line and schedule the work to begin, you’ll have to make one key decision: You have to select the material you want your new roof to be made from.
This is a pretty big decision, with far-reaching effects. To help, we’ll share some basic information about the roofing materials commonly used in the Charleston area, so that you can feel confident you’ve made the best choice.
Metal vs Asphalt Shingles: The Leading Choices in Charleston
Most homes in Charleston have a roof made from one of two materials: asphalt shingles or metal. Both options can work well in our area and provide the kind of long-lasting roofing solution homeowners want. But each presents a different set of benefits and drawbacks, which you’ll want to consider carefully.
We’ll explain some of the basic facts about each kind of roofing material below, and then we’ll compare them to each other directly, so you can decide which one would work best for your specific situation.
Asphalt Shingles: The Basics
Often the default choice among homeowners, asphalt shingles have been a popular roofing material for decades. Shingles certainly work well as a roof material, and they are a relatively affordable option, which makes them a very common choice for Charleston-area homeowners.
In addition to being more affordable to install, asphalt shingle roofs are easier to repair in many cases, which means that you’ll face lower costs if some portion of your new roof becomes damaged.
Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of profiles (shapes), ranging from economy-priced 3-tab shingles to thick architectural shingles. They also come in shake-shingle-style profiles, which provide a truly eye-catching aesthetic. You can also get asphalt shingles in almost every color under the sun, from standard black and gray to green, red, or blue.
High-end asphalt shingles often come with bonus features, such as sunlight-reflecting granules, which help keep a home cooler in the summer, or increased resistance to punctures (helpful in hail-prone regions) or high wind speeds.
Metal Roofing: The Basics
Metal has been a popular roofing material for more than 2,000 years, but it’s gone through a number of different iterations over that time. Instead of being limited to the old-school corrugated metal sheets that were popular in the past, modern homeowners can select from several different kinds of metal roofing.
Metal roofing tends to be more expensive than some of the most affordable shingles, but it generally lasts much longer. Additionally, metal is inherently fire resistant and well-suited for withstanding storm damage.
Metal roofs are available in a variety of styles and profiles, from large, flat sheets to smaller plates, designed to resemble shingles (some even mimic shake or architectural shingles). And for homeowners seeking the performance of metal with a shingle-like aesthetic, stone-covered metal shingles provide the best of both worlds.
Most metal roofs are relatively resistant to wind and hail damage, but some specific products perform better in this regard than others.
Metal vs Shingle Roofing in Charleston: A Head-to-Head Comparison
Having covered the basics of both roofing materials, we can start to compare them both and help you decide which one will work best for your home.
Cost
As mentioned earlier, asphalt shingles are generally more affordable than metal roofing materials. Shingle roofs can often be installed for costs in the $3 to $6 per square foot range, while metal often costs between $9 and $16 per square foot to install.
Typical Lifespan
When properly installed, asphalt shingle roofs often last for about 15 to 25 years. Conversely, metal roofs tend to last longer, and they often have lifespans of 40 to 70 years or more.
Storm Resistance
Metal roofs generally have much better storm resistance than asphalt shingles. This makes metal the better option in storm-prone regions like the Carolina coast. However, high-end architectural shingles are often designed to withstand higher windspeeds and hail, which can make them a viable choice.
Fire Resistance
Metal is completely non-combustible, while asphalt is a petroleum-based material which can burn. With that said, most asphalt shingles are designed to provide some fire resistance, and premium options often have a Class A fire resistance rating, which can provide homeowners with more peace of mind.
Maintenance Needs
Neither metal nor asphalt shingles require a lot of maintenance from a homeowner, aside from keeping debris off the roof and having it inspected periodically. However, shingles will generally accumulate more damage over time, which will necessitate more repairs and maintenance from a roofing contractor.
Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is a subjective issue, and both materials can appeal to different potential home buyers. With that said, metal roofs often continue to look newer for longer, and they’re often used on upscale homes. Nevertheless, some potential buyers simply prefer the look of traditional shingles.
Selecting the Perfect Roofing Material: Questions & Considerations
Understanding the basics of different roofing materials and the way they compare to each other is important. However, to ensure that you select the right material for your specific roof, you’ll want to consider a few key issues.
- Neighborhood Trends: There’s nothing wrong with expressing your individuality and style, but it’s worth at least considering the roofing styles and materials used in your neighborhood. Are all of the roofs covered in shingles? Do metal roofs dominate?
- HOA Restrictions: Some HOAs impose rules, guidelines, or restrictions that dictate which kind of roof material homeowners have to use. This is an important consideration, as failing to adhere to these regulations can lead to fines and possibly having to have your new roof replaced again.
- Your Home Style: There are no hard-and-fast rules dictating that different home styles require different roofing materials, but there are pretty well-established trends. For example, metal roofs are most common in more modern home styles, while shingles provide a bit more traditional look.
- Your Budget: Aside from figuring out what kinds of up-front costs you can afford, you’ll also want to consider the long-term costs associated with both types of roof material. Metal tends to last longer and provide greater value, making it a more cost-effective option over the long term.
- Your Plans for the Home: If you’re planning to sell your home in the near future, you may want to prioritize things like low up-front costs and curb appeal; if you’re planning on being in the house for many years, long-term value and your own aesthetic tastes are more important.
- The Local Climate: Metal stands up better to Charleston’s sometimes-severe weather, but premium (as opposed to economy options) shingles are also a good option. But if you opt for shingles, you may want to spend more time protecting them, such as by trimming branches from above your home.
- Personal Preference: It’s also important to simply ask yourself which roof material you like most. After all, you’ll be looking at your roof every day for years or potentially decades, and it’s important that you like it.
Roof Materials in Charleston: FAQ
Still have questions about roofing material selection for a Charleston home? We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions we hear from homeowners and answered them below!
Willow Ash Roofing: Charleston’s Source for Roofing Repairs and Replacement
Selecting the best roof material for your home is an important question, but there’s one more critical issue Charleston residents have to consider: Identifying a high-quality roofing contractor, who can produce the kind of results you deserve. But whether you think a metal roof is the perfect choice for your home or you’d prefer asphalt shingles, Willow Ash Roofing can provide the roofing solutions you need.
We’ve been providing reliable roof repairs and replacements since 2002, and our team has the skills, experience, and expertise to ensure your new roof will last for decades. Contact us today to schedule your free estimate and see the Willow Ash Roofing difference for yourself!
