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5 star on Google ReviewsAs a homeowner in the Washington DC Metro Area, also known as “The DMV”, maintaining the integrity of your roof is crucial. From hot, humid summers to freezing winters, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. If you currently have a metal roof, you may be wondering whether it’s worth switching to asphalt shingles—a material that’s not only more affordable but also comes with various practical benefits.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of both materials and why switching could save you money while still protecting your home effectively.
The Case for Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material in the U.S., and for good reason. They offer several benefits, particularly for homeowners that live in our region where the weather can be unpredictable and demanding. Here are some compelling reasons to consider converting your metal roof to asphalt shingles:
One of the most significant advantages of asphalt shingles is their affordability. If you’re looking to save money, asphalt shingles are far more budget-friendly than metal roofing. The cost of installing a new metal roof can be two to three times higher than that of asphalt shingles. For many homeowners, this upfront cost makes asphalt shingles the more attractive option.
Not only are the materials themselves less expensive, but installation is also more affordable. Asphalt shingles are easier to install, meaning we spend less time on the job and charge lower labor costs. If your current metal roof needs repairs or replacement, you may find the cost of upgrading to asphalt shingles significantly easier on your wallet.
Converting to asphalt shingles is straightforward. Asphalt is the most used roofing material, which means nearly every roofing contractor is familiar with how to install, repair, and maintain it.
Because asphalt shingles are widely used, St Joseph’s Roofing is very experienced in installing them. This means the installation process is typically faster and less expensive than installing a metal roof. If you need a quick roof replacement, asphalt shingles may be the way to go.
If curb appeal is a priority for you, asphalt shingles offer far more aesthetic variety than metal roofs. Asphalt shingles come in a wide range of colors, textures, and styles, allowing you to customize the look of your roof to match the architectural design of your home. Whether your home is colonial, craftsman, or modern, there’s likely an asphalt shingle that complements it.
In contrast, metal roofs tend to have a more industrial or modern appearance, which may not fit well with the traditional style of many homes in the DMV area. While metal roofs have their aesthetic appeal, they can sometimes look out of place in neighborhoods where asphalt shingles dominate.
During Spring and Summer, we experience our fair share of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even hail, which can make metal roofs particularly noisy during these events. The sound of rain hitting a metal roof can be distracting or even disruptive, especially for light sleepers.
Asphalt shingles provide a quieter living environment. The softer surface of asphalt shingles absorbs sound, significantly reducing the noise of rain, hail, or even wind compared to a metal roof. If you’re sensitive to noise, switching to asphalt shingles can enhance the comfort of your home.
While metal roofs are often praised for their energy efficiency due to their ability to reflect sunlight, modern asphalt shingles offer energy-efficient options as well. Certain types of asphalt shingles are designed with reflective properties, allowing them to reduce heat absorption and keep your home cooler during hot summers.
Many manufacturers now produce “cool” asphalt shingles that meet the Energy Star requirements, helping you to reduce cooling costs in the warmer months. These energy-efficient asphalt shingles offer a balance between affordability and energy performance without the higher cost of metal roofing.
Maintaining a roof is a necessary part of homeownership, but the amount of maintenance required can vary depending on the roofing material. Asphalt shingles generally require less maintenance than metal roofs. While both materials are durable, metal roofs can dent from hail or falling branches, leading to potential repairs.
Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, are resilient and don’t dent easily. If a section of your asphalt roof is damaged, repairs are typically simpler and more affordable than fixing a dented metal roof. The widespread use of asphalt shingles also means replacement materials are readily available and easy to match, ensuring repairs blend seamlessly with the rest of the roof.
The Drawbacks of Metal Roofing
To better understand why switching to asphalt shingles makes sense, it’s important to look at the drawbacks of metal roofing—especially in our area’s climate.
Metal roofing can be expensive, with costs two to three times higher than asphalt shingles. While metal roofs are known for their longevity, the high initial investment may not always make financial sense, particularly if you don’t plan to stay in your home for decades. Asphalt shingles provide excellent protection at a fraction of the cost, offering a more budget-conscious choice.
While some homeowners appreciate the sleek, modern look of metal roofing, it may not suit the traditional or colonial homes often found in Northern Virginia, Washington DC and Southern Maryland. Asphalt shingles are available in a variety of styles that can complement different home designs, whereas metal roofs can sometimes clash with the existing architecture.
As mentioned earlier, one of the primary complaints about metal roofing is the noise it produces during heavy rain or hail. For homeowners seeking peace and quiet, particularly in areas prone to storms, this can be a dealbreaker. Asphalt shingles are much quieter, providing a more comfortable living experience during bad weather.
Weather Considerations
Our weather is marked by cold winters and hot summers, making the choice of roofing material particularly important. Here’s how both metal and asphalt shingles perform in these conditions:
Why Switch to Asphalt Shingles?
Converting your metal roof to asphalt shingles offers several practical and financial benefits, particularly for homeowners in the DMV. Asphalt shingles are more affordable, easier to install, and offer a wider range of aesthetic options, making them an excellent choice for most homeowners. Additionally, their quiet performance, energy-efficient options, and low maintenance needs make them a well-rounded roofing material.
If you’re looking for a cost-effective roofing solution that doesn’t compromise on quality or appearance, switching to asphalt shingles is a smart move. Whether you’re concerned about the budget, noise, or the overall look of your home, asphalt shingles provide a reliable, attractive, and long-lasting alternative to metal roofing. Contact St. Joseph’s roofing to learn more and get a free estimate to switch.
A poorly installed roof can lead to leaks, damage to the structure of your home, and even pose a safety hazard. Replacing your roof is a big investment and an important decision that must be done right the first time. A new roof can improve the overall look of your home, protect it from damage, and increase its resale value. However, replacing your roof can also be a complex and expensive process, especially if the following common mistakes are made, they can end up costing you more money and time in the long run. Here are some of the most common roofing mistakes to avoid when replacing your roof:
One of the biggest mistakes people make when replacing their roof is not hiring a professional roofing contractor. While it may be tempting to try to save money by doing the job yourself or hiring an unlicensed handyman, this is a mistake that can end up costing you more in the long run. A professional roofing contractor will have the necessary experience and training to properly install your roof and ensure that it is up to code. Click the following hyperlink for tips on how to choose a roofing contractor.
2. Skipping the Inspection
Before replacing your roof, it’s important to have a professional inspect it. This will allow you to identify any existing problems and determine the best course of action. For example, if your roof is structurally unsound, you may need to have it repaired before you can replace it. If you skip the inspection, you may end up with a new roof that is installed on top of existing problems, which can lead to further damage down the line.
3. Ignoring the Underlayment
The underlayment of your roof is a critical component that helps to protect your home from water damage. Unfortunately, many people ignore this important layer when replacing their roof. Without a proper underlayment, your roof will be more susceptible to leaks, which can cause damage to your home’s structure.
4. Choosing the Wrong Roofing Materials
There are many different types of roofing materials and roofing systems to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. When choosing roofing materials for your home, it’s important to disucss with your roofing contractor factors such as durability, cost, and energy efficiency. If you’re trying to save money by using cheaper roofing materials for your home, you may end up with a roof that is less durable, more expensive to maintain, and less energy efficient than you thought.
5. Improperly Installing Ventilation
Proper ventilation is critical to the longevity of your roof. Without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can build up in your attic, which can cause damage to your roofing material and even your home’s structure. When replacing your roof, ask the contractor to ensure that proper ventilation is in place to prevent these issues.
6. Not Properly Securing the Roofing Material
Another common mistake made when replacing a roof is not properly securing the roofing material. If your roofing material is not properly secured, it can become dislodged during high winds or heavy rain, which can lead to leaks and damage to your home. To avoid this, you might want to make sure that a foreman or manger inspects the final work done by the workers to ensure everything is properly secured and fastened to the roof deck.
7. Not Properly Sealing the Roof
Finally, one of the most common roofing mistakes is not properly sealing the roof. If your roof is not properly sealed, it will be more susceptible to leaks and water damage. To avoid this, it’s important to make sure that all seams, flashing, and penetrations are properly sealed to prevent water from penetrating your roof.
8. Not getting a warranty
When replacing your roof, it is important to get a labor and manufacturer’s warranty from your contractor. A warranty will provide you with protection in the event that something goes wrong with your roof. Make sure you understand the terms of the warranty, what it covers, and how long it lasts.
In conclusion, replacing your roof is a major project that requires careful planning and execution. Take the time to research your options, hire a reputable contractor, and follow all local building codes and regulations to get the best results from your roofing project. Top of Form
By discussing how your roofing contractor will avoid these common roofing mistakes, you can ensure that your new roof is properly installed and will provide years of protection for your home.
For over 25 years, St Joseph’s Roofing has delivered world-class results to customers across Northern Virginia. We built this company on a simple premise: honesty is the best policy. It engenders lifelong goodwill that translates into roofing projects down the line. We never use deceitful practices to upsell our customers. All we offer is the facts as we find them and the services to solve whatever problem you’re facing. For us, it’s about the customer from start to finish. Please contact us today with any questions or to schedule a quote.
Having your roof in its best condition is vital throughout the whole year. But in the colder months, an old or damaged roof can cause a different set of problems than in other seasons.
It’s a common misconception that roofs can’t be installed during winter. In reality, a new roof can be installed at any time of the year as long as the temperature outside is above 40 degrees and the weather is clear, with no snow or ice on the roof. There are many benefits to having your roof replaced as the weather gets colder, including saving money.
Most shingles used for roofing should only be installed when the outside temperature is above 40 degrees. This is because a lot of asphalt shingles are made with components that seal to the roof using the sun’s heat, making it impossible for them to seal when the weather is too cold.
In addition, shingles can become brittle and break more easily in the cold, meaning a roofing contractor will end up wasting a lot of materials that get damaged. Although some companies claim their shingles can be installed at any temperature, a lot of roofers still adhere to the 40-degrees rule to make sure they’re doing great work.
A good roofing contractor’s main concerns are the quality of their work and the safety of their employees. Snow or ice on a roof makes it dangerous for roofers to work because they can easily lose their footing and fall from a height that could cause them serious harm.
Not only that, but roofers will have to wear cold weather-appropriate gear in the snow or ice, such as heavy boots, gloves, and coats, which will add to the weight they have to carry while working on your roof.
Adding in the possibility that tools won’t function as they’re supposed to in freezing conditions or shingles won’t adhere properly to the roof, it’s overall a better idea to schedule a roof replacement for a time when the weather is a little bit warmer.
Having a bad roof in any season is pretty much guaranteed to cost you time, effort, and money. In the winter, though, it can leave you with higher heating bills and water damage or flooding inside your home. Therefore, you should look into a roof replacement as soon as you need it rather than putting it off.
Considering the issues you might face if you have a faulty roof, you should be jumping to get your roof replaced before the weather gets too cold! These are just a few of the benefits of scheduling your roof replacement before or during the winter months.
It’s no surprise that your heating bills will go up in the winter, but did you know they’ll go up even more if you have an old roof? Damaged places in roofs allow the heat from your house to escape through your attic, so your heating system has to work even harder to keep you and your family comfortable. This problem is eliminated when your roof is in great condition, which is just one of the many reasons you should aim to get your old roof replaced before the weather gets too cold.
Having clean gutters is a must in the snowy, icy winter months. When snow builds up on your roof, it melts down and your gutters keep it from seeping into your house and causing water damage or flooding. If your roof’s shingles are in bad condition and start breaking off, pieces can get caught in your gutters and create a buildup of debris that doesn’t allow melted snow and ice through, and it can overflow and cause serious problems. If your roof is new and the shingles are securely attached, however, there will be no risk of them falling off and catching in the gutters.
Partly thanks to the belief that roof replacement in cold weather is impossible, many people don’t schedule roof inspections during autumn and winter. That means that roof contractors are available more readily and will have an easier time working with you to find a time that works best for your roof replacement.
Realized you need to get your roof replaced but are unsure where to start? Get your free estimate today from SJ Roofing and work with the best roofers in Northern Virginia.
Along with your free estimate, if you know anyone else looking for a new roof, be sure to check out our referral program.