Differences between Asphalt Tile and Sheet Metal

The roof is your main line of defence against extreme weather elements and other external factors. It is possibly the most essential surface in a home. A damaged roof is not only dangerous for your property but also for your well-being. The roof has to be fixed ASAP.  Considering how important the roof is, choosing the right material for your roof is paramount. If you are planning to install a new roof, you may be weighing on asphalt shingles, clay shingles, sheet metal, or some other material.

In this article we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of both asphalt shingles and sheet metal, although both are great roofing options, there are significant differences between the two and you should expect different results from each.

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Thermal isolation

Metal sheets, due to their physical properties, are excellent conductors of temperature, which can permeate the cold and heat inside the house. In order to correct this weakness, you should opt for some complementary thermal protection strategies such as the ventilated chamber or the use of thermal insulators.

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In the case of asphalt tiles, the composition of fibreglass covered with oxidized asphalt and granules designed with infrared reflective pigments reduce solar radiation and thermally insulate the house as they are not materials that naturally transmit so much heat inset.

There are colours in the asphalt shingle that have solar reflectance such as white and light gray Dual grey.

If this is not enough, there are other options you can do, such as adding insulation to your roof such as spray foam, which is an excellent and highly energetic material; or you can also put under the asphalt shingles a radiant barrier.

Likewise, for any type of roof covering, be it asphalt tile or metal sheets, ventilation is key, it is what makes your roof energy-efficient or not.‍

Acoustic isolation

One of the great advantages of the asphalt tile is its property to isolate the noises from outside. Given its composition, it allows you not to hear rain, hail or wind.

The sheet is an acoustic transmitter so any rain or wind, no matter how small, gives the feeling inside the home of being much stronger than it really is.

Durability

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This is where people think sheet metal lasts forever and it really doesn't. With changes in temperature, the metal expands and contracts, so over time if there is any hole in the screws or between them, it can become larger and water can leak.

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The sheets are categorized by the gauge of the metal, the lower the gauge number the better the quality of the sheet and therefore the warranty also varies. The most common among roofing companies is 26 gauge, which is not as good as 24 gauge. In commercial warehouses, you are more likely to find 29 gauge sheets but they are very poor quality when you walk on them. you run the risk of being damaged or deformed. There are also 22 gauges but you can't get the screws through them without pre-drilling. So 24 gauge sheet metal is the best you can get.

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That said, many manufacturers give product warranties between 20 and 30 years depending on the brand and gauge of the metal. Although in reality, the metal sheets can last up to 50 years, although during this time they can rust, or will be dented by hail, as well as become brittle, and in the case of walking on them they can break causing water leaks.

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The manufacturer's warranty for asphalt shingles varies depending on the type, brand or model, but ranges from 25 years as is the case with traditional 3-tongue asphalt shingles to a lifetime warranty (50 years) as are the premium models. Depending on the model, it is the thickness of the asphalt tile that allows greater durability and guarantee. Asphalt shingles are maintenance-free. ‍

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Weather

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Although the weather, in general, is an important factor, especially the wind is a specific factor to consider when choosing the material that you will use for your roof.

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The asphalt shingles resist strong winds very well. The specifications set by manufacturers for installation in high-wind areas is much stricter, precisely because more care and reinforcement must be taken. Normally in an area where there are no strong winds, the instruction is to install the tiles with only 4 nails resisting winds of up to 100 km/hr, otherwise, you have to use 6 nails and also manually seal with asphalt adhesive, which will achieve a resistance up to 200 km/hr. Thus, they are also proven to withstand snow, heat, ice, hail and strong storms very well. They are very popular in very cold climates such as Canada, snow areas in the United States or Argentina, and in very hot climates such as India. They are very resistant to the impacts of trees, hail, they can be stepped on and they do not break.

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The metal withstands rain and winds of up to 220 km/hr remarkably well, as well as any weather. Although you have to consider the size of the sheet leaves since if they are very large they can easily be lifted by the wind due to their size. In areas where winter brings snow with it, it does not tend to fall slowly on a metal roof, it slides down in the style of an avalanche. This is why you need to install snow guards at various points along the bottom of your roof to help break up chunks of snow so it doesn't get trapped underneath.

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Appearance

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The Texas Asphalt better provide the appearance of all types of roofing. There are several models, where some can even imitate slate, wood or stone ceilings. The Architectural or Superior Design is the best selling in the world since they have a very good cost and greater dimensionality due to the additional layers of asphalt and fibreglass. It also has a variety of 14 colors which can be combined with any architectural design, be it modern, traditional, contemporary, country, among others. Additionally, it can be installed on any curved surface, domes, walls, which gives it great versatility.

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The metal market has also benefited from a number of aesthetic advances, yet they give it a more rural style. The sheet can be painted in different colors but they do not give a design look in homes and are associated with low-cost houses. ‍

Weight

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Thanks to the lightweight of metal sheets, they put much less pressure on the structure of your home. Metal is the lightest material you can select for a roof. Although the weight varies from one material to another.

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After sheet metal, asphalt shingles are the lightest roofing materials on the market. ‍

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Costs

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The unpainted galvanized sheet metal will cost you very similar or a little more expensive than the asphalt shingle in the traditional model.

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With asphalt tiles we only have a waste factor of 3% and with metal sheets we have a waste of 30%, this because there is a lot of overlap of the panels in the sheets and also when you have to cut pieces of sheet to fit the measurements of the area to be covered can no longer be used again, it becomes garbage, so a lot of material is lost, the opposite with asphalt shingles. ‍

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Maintenance

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The shingles are easier to repair than metal sheets. A roofer can replace a single shingle or repair an area with relative ease. Fixing a problem spot or replacing a panel on a metal roof is more difficult due to the way it is installed and how the panels are connected.

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The asphalt tiles have an anti-algae treatment which gives resistance to their formation and does not stain the roof. Sheets can corrode or stain over time. ‍

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Installation

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The asphalt shingles are relatively easy to install with some simple tools like hammers and pneumatic guns. This makes it much easier for installers to simply load the shingle packages onto their roof and then proceed with the installation.  

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Sheet metal installation will require a professional roofing contractor because metal roofs are difficult and tedious to work with. More time is needed for ceiling installation when metal materials are used. Most of the problems a sheet metal roof can have are due to poor installation, so finding a professional and qualified installer with experience in sheet metal roofing is critical.

Hope this sharing session has been informative. Tune in to my blog for more roof tips.