Best alternative to asphalt shingle?

Ed the Roofer

I don't even consider that to be an option.

Ed

__________________
Just Wait A Minute, I Will Be Right Back With A Link For That.
http://www.rightwayroofingcompany.com/ www.rightwayroofingcompany.com
Roof Estimates, Roof Repairs, Roofers, Roof Leak Help, Elgin, Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Algonquin, South Elgin, Huntley, Lake In The Hills, Illinois

Grumpy

Nor do I Ed, but that's what we are competing against when it comes to metal panels. Lowest price, lowest quality crap wins.

__________________
-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

peterjames

Roof shingles are available in a great range of varieties, each offers various benefits. Asphalt shingles are inexpensive, easy to repair and fire-resistant. Wood shingles are natural at looking and also easy to repair installation as well.

jimsonburg

Metal is one of the best alternative to asphalt shingle roofs.
Unlike conventional asphalt shingle roofs that tend to last an average of 12 to 17 years, professionally installed metal roof can last well over 50 years! In fact, it is not uncommon for copper and aluminum roofs to last well over 75 years. Metal roofs are considerably more expensive to install than even architectural shingle roofs.

__________________
Jimson burg,
Home Improvement .

Bonanza

Thank you Jimsonburg. I am seriously considering metal roofing for my house and for my projects. I find it very attractive and long lasting. The one I am considering is from www.50roof.com The only consideration I have is that I don't see anywhere this type of roof. Is there a reason I should be aware that people prefer asphalt shingles? I am a designer and I would like to also specify this type of roof in my projects, commercial and residential. Any comments from professionals who are very familiar with pros and cons of metal roofing will be appreciated. Thank you.

buildpinnacle

Pros:

1. Energy efficiency. Metal is a product that remits UV transfer rays in lieu of absorbing them upwards of close to 57%. An installation of a metal roof can decrease utilities by up to 25% in some regions.

2. Class IV impact resistant. This usually equates to a discount on your insurance premiums ranging from 20 to 30% in high risk areas.

3. Longevity

4. Aesthetic.....re-sale.

Some metal products can be installed over existing asphalt in optimum conditions according to the mfg specs. I personally don't like putting anything on top of existing product, but it is an option. Initial outlay may be more but with the potential energy savings and insurance discounts and longevity the extra costs can be easily justified and packaged into a good sales pitch. It is one of the few roofs that can actually pay back some of the extra cost on what you save on the utility and ins premium bill.

BTW, I'm a fan of the Metalworks shingle acquired by Tamko.

__________________

Mr Roofer

The best alternative I can think of around here is the Lightweight Concrete tile from Unicrete. It is comparable to the Cedar pricing, yet in terms of lifecycle costing on roofs longterm is one of if not the cheapest. I say that because around here metal roofing typically is outta the ballpark into a differnet timezone, sometimes two or three times the cost of tile. The really nice thing about the Lightweight Tile is it is available for most any re-roof purpose (NO structural upgrade neccesary). This tile is typically about 2-2/12 times the cost of your standard 30 yr laminate. I would be curious to hear of any reasonably priced, decent, metal alternative. Im not talking Decra or Metro, I figure those are just expensive shingles.