Shingles or Metal roof?
We are about to take the next big step in building our cabin on the Upper Sunshine Coast. The roof has to be covered. Should it be shingles or a metal roof?
The is enclosed since the end of 2022.. That means, all walls are up, the windows are installed and the roof is at least closed as well.We have build the roof truss and also the sheathing and a waterproof membrane. What is still missing is the actual roof. In this respect, we are or were until a while ago faced with a big decision: Metal roof or shingles?
In this post, I take you back to the decision-making process. What are the arguments for a metal roof and what for shingles? And what did we decide on in the end?
Metal roofing
Almost exactly a year ago, we already had to deal with a metal roof. At that time, it was about removing the roof from the old mobile home. At the time, our enthusiasm was limited.
However, in order to make an informed decision about whether a metal roof is right for our cabin, we have taken a close look at the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Durability and low maintenance: Metal roofs require very little maintenance compared to other materials and have a durability of up to 50 years. A metal roof does not crack, rot or warp and does not require regular cleaning or painting.
- Low weight: Metal roofs are relatively light, which reduces the load on the building structure.
- Environmentally friendly: Metal roofs are made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable at the end of their life. In addition, sunlight is reflected. This means less heat is absorbed by the cabin itself and energy consumption is reduced.
- Resistant to pests and mould: Metal roofs are resistant to pests and not susceptible to mould or mildew.
- Increases property value : A metal roof increases the value of a property due to its durability, longevity and energy efficiency.
Cons
- Initial costs: A metal roof like this can be much more expensive than asphalt shingles, for example.
- Noise: Rain, hail and other weather events cause more noise on a metal roof. This can be mitigated by additional insulation, but everyone we spoke to about this said the reduction was minimal.
- Dents: Metal roofs can get dents if they are hit by heavy objects such as branches or hail.
- Expansion and contraction: The components of a metal roof can expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. Accordingly, screws or fasteners can loosen over time.
- Installation: Installing a metal roof can be more difficult than asphalt shingles, which can increase the cost of installation.
We also want to stay true to our motto with the roof and apply it ourselves, i.e. install it ourselves. Accordingly, the latter argument is of course particularly weighty. But the costs and the noise aspect also make us doubt whether a metal roof is the right choice. Therefore, we look around for alternatives.
Shingles
The only realistic alternative to a metal roof are roof shingles. These are produced from a mixture of asphalt and glass fibre. The asphalt serves as a bonding agent, while the fibreglass provides strength and durability.
Pros
- Affordable: Roof shingles are generally cheaper than other roofing materials. That's why they are popular with homeowners on a budget.
- Easy installation: Shingles are relatively easy to install. This keeps the costs for installation low. Installation is possible without special tools.
- Wide range of styles and colours: Roof shingles are available in a wide range of styles and colours.
- Easy to repair and replace: If a part of the shingles is damaged, it can be easily replaced. It is not necessary to replace the entire roof for this. This saves money on repairs.
- Fire resistant: Most roof shingles are fire resistant.
- Low maintenance: Roof shingles require very little maintenance.
Cons
- Shorter life span: Compared to a metal roof, shingles have a shorter life span. Depending on the quality of the shingles and climatic conditions, this is usually between 15 and 30 years.
- Not suitable for all roof shapes: Shingles are not suitable for all roof shapes, especially not for roofs with a low pitch or flat roofs.
- Vulnerability to extreme weather conditions: Shingles may be damaged under extreme weather conditions such as high winds, hail or heavy snowfall. In these cases, damaged shingles must be repaired or replaced.
- Susceptible to algae and moss growth: Roof shingles are susceptible to algae and moss growth in areas with high humidity or when the roof receives little sunlight. This can lead to discolouration and damage to the shingles over time.
- Not environmentally friendly: Roof shingles are not exactly environmentally friendly. They are made from petroleum-based products and are not recyclable.
Our decision making
In order to make the right decision, we looked at the individual arguments and weighed them up. We defined four points for ourselves and looked at which roof would win.
Initial Costs
Of course, the price plays a big role. As a rough estimate, here in B. C., you can expect to pay 8 to 16 CAD per square foot for a metal roof, including materials and labour. Asphalt shingles cost 2 to 6 CAD per square foot, including materials and labour.
Since we want to or have to do the installation ourselves (we couldn't find a craftsman who would only put the roof panels on the roof for us), it also plays a role whether special tools are necessary. This will then also have a corresponding financial impact.
Installation
The installation of a metal roof requires special tools. Overall, the installation effort is high for inexperienced people like us. Although the individual metal roof sheets are cut exactly to size, corners and edges have to be bent here and there. The risk of injury should also not be forgotten. Because metal roof edges are sharp - we had already noticed that in 2022.
Roof shingles, on the other hand, are attached with a nail gun. We already have one of these, as we needed it for the roof construction. The individual shingle panels are laid on and then nailed together. The effort here is relatively low and manageable even by part-time amateurs like us.
Maintenance costs and effort
A metal roof consists of several sheets that are screwed together and are attached to the substructure. Defects in the roof therefore mean that the entire roof or at least part of the roof may have to be covered up to the affected area.
Roof shingles, on the other hand, can be replaced individually in an emergency. This not only reduces the effort of a repair but also its costs.
Durability
A metal roof is similar to a Miele dishwasher: you only buy both once in a lifetime. With an expected lifespan of almost 50 years, the metal roof clearly comes up trumps here. Shingles are expected to last 15 to 30 years.
Our choice: Roof shingles
In the end, after many discussions with metal roof and shingle roof owners, we decided to cover our roof with shingles. The deciding factor was the fact that everyone thought it would be much easier to install ourselves than a metal roof.
We also have a halfway decent handle on the lower environmental impact of roof shingles mentioned above. The roof shingles we have chosen are made from upcycled materials.
Our roof has a slope of 4/12 or 16/12 and is therefore suitable for shingles without any problems. Maintenance is also no problem, especially on the flatter roofs (bedrooms, bathrooms, dormers).
So in April we will somehow get this pile of shingles onto the roof of our cabin. Be curious!
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Cabin-Blog-Zeitleiste
All our posts about RITICOLO Cabin have been organized in this fancy looking timeline. Pretty cool, eh! Have fun looking around and leave a comment if you enjoy what you are reading.
Trees, a Wood Stove, Lumber and Paws
Vapor barrier - cabin interior
Thermal Insulation and What it Takes to Get There
Roof – The big Finale
Roofing for Dummies
Cabin - New Year Progress
Cabin Timeline
Roofing – Part Two
Roofing - Part One
Gable Walls and LVL
Lofts
Header Beam – Ein dicker Balken, der alles zusammenhält Zum Bau der Außenwände hatten wir…
Things we learned so far
Framing the Cabin
Basecamp
From concrete piers to the finished subfloor
It's amazing what you can accomplish in a few weekends. During the construction of our
Demolition, Homework and some Problems
Progress - Getting Rid of Stuff
First Steps in Lund
On the February long weekend (Family Day), we pack up our MINI and head to our
Lund - The Property
3 replies on “Dach – Dachschindeln oder Metalldach?”
Hallo, ich denke mal,da habt Ihr eine gute Entscheidung getroffen. Bin gespannt,wie das Dachdecken klappt.
Da bin ich auch gespannt. Im April geht es los! Wir werden berichten.
Wir stehen vor der Herausforderung, unser Metalldach auf der Garage zu sanieren. Ich schätze besonders die Langlebigkeit, die für ein Metalldach spricht. Vorher war mir nicht bewusst, dass die Installation eines solchen Daches etwas komplexer sein kann.