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When comparing the price of an asphalt roof to the price of a metal roof, what really is the best deal for the average homeowner?

Why would you care? "When my roof needs to be replaced, I'll just call my local roofing contractor to come in and replace it. Asphalt shingles are okay. The last ones lasted about 15 years. They were cheap enough."

Were they cheap enough? Why would you want to put a roof on your house that you or someone else has to replace every 15-20 years? "But the shingles I'm getting are 40 year shingles." WOW!! How is it that the asphalt shingle companies say they are selling you a roof that will last for 40 years when the insurance companies that insure our homes say they will last only 17 years? Many of the asphalt shingle manufacturers have gone out of business due to class action law suits.

How do metal roofing costs compare to the cost of replacing an asphalt roof every 15 - 20 years? Take into account that the cost of installing an asphalt roof doubles every 15 years. So what cost $7,000 this year will cost $14,000 in fifteen years. So the cost of the roof after only 15 years would end up being $21,000. Now compare that to the cost of a metal roof that will last a lifetime. A metal roof would cost about two and a half times the cost of asphalt, or $17,500. It's a one time investment for the life of the house.

Additionally, you must consider the environmental impact. When an asphalt roof goes on, it begins to break down immediately. And when you have one installed, the old one should be taken off and disposed of. Where are they disposed? Landfills, mostly, where

they take hundreds of years to break down. With metal roofing, especially aluminum roofing, they are made from recycled aluminum and they are fully recyclable at the end of their life, which is 100 years plus. Additionally, many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners with metal roofs.

There are many more factors to consider, such as curb appeal, wind ratings, energy savings, and tax incentives. Talk with a metal roofing professional to get the whole story. Do your research and you will make the right choice for your home.