Exteriors

Should You Choose Shingles or Metal Roofing for Your House in Boston?

Secure, solid roofing is vital for any structure, as a high-quality roof insulates interior spaces while also helping to hold up a building’s framework! A low-quality roof and especially one in disrepair increases the risk of interior leaks and water damage, and resultant mold growth.

When you need a roof replacement in Boston or are having a home constructed and need to choose roofing materials, you might wonder if you should opt for traditional shingles or a metal roof. Both forms of roofing for Boston MA homes and businesses have their pros and cons, so consider some details about these choices and then discuss your options with a roofing contractor near you.

Consider the Appearance of New Roofing

Your structure’s roof should coordinate and complement the overall appearance of your home or commercial structure, by its design, color, and material. Modern homes and commercial structures, with clean and simple lines and lots of metal and glass in their construction, might look better with metal roofing. A metal roof might also help offset a busy design for a structure, such as a large brick commercial building; all that brick might seem cluttered and a shingle roof might add to its overall busy appearance.

However, the modern appearance of a metal roof for a Boston home or business might seem out of place next to a traditional design, and especially a craftsman style, country style, or other such appearance for your home or business. Metal is also a poor choice for Mediterranean style homes, where metal was rarely if ever used for roofing!

In many cases, shingles work well with just about any style of home, from traditional to modern and everything in between. Shingles also come in a wide range of colors and tones than homeowners and commercial business owners might realize, from deep reds to light brown, gray tones, and classic black. Opt for the shingle color that best coordinates with your structure’s appearance and make sure to have a roof that complements it overall!

The Long-term Investment of Shingles Versus Metal Roofing

One advantage of metal roofing in Boston MA is that the material lasts for decades before it typically needs repairs or replacement. The durability and longevity make metal roofs an excellent choice for those who plan on staying in their home that long or handing their home down to their children after their passing, but in some cases, that durability may be more costly than it’s worth!

Consider how long you expect to live in your home and then move on, either to a retirement community in several years or selling your home for something more appropriate for a growing family. If you know you might put your home on the real estate market in the near future, or even within the next decade or two, you might consider the more affordable shingle roofing rather than metal.

If you’re concerned about the durability of shingles, note that many high-quality brands are guaranteed to last up to 25 years if not even longer before needing repairs or replacement. Investing in high-quality shingles when you need a new roof installation in Boston MA can mean a roof that lasts throughout your lifetime of homeownership.

Finding the Right Roofing Contractor in Boston

Not every roofer in Boston is qualified to install metal roofing. Metal sheets require different connectors and installation techniques than shingles and are not simply nailed onto a roof’s surface. In some cases, it might be more expensive to hire a roofing contractor in Boston qualified to install or repair metal roofs rather than shingles.

For some homeowners or business owners, this added expense is worth the investment, as their metal roof is likely to last longer than a shingle roof. However, before you decide on shingles versus metal roofing, ensure you find a roofing contractor qualified and in your price range!

Adding Roofing Over Existing Shingles

Depending on the condition of your home or commercial structure, and local building codes, you might be able to have a new roof installed over the existing roof. Applying a new roof over the current surface saves the cost, hassle, and waste of a tear-off, and might allow for a faster installation as well.

Metal roofing in Boston MA is a favorite choice for layering roof installations, as metal is lightweight and the long panels allow for a quick installation over current roofing. Before you decide on your options for roof repairs, ask your contractor about installing a new roof over the current surface and if metal would be recommended versus new shingles.

Fireproofing of Shingles Versus Metal Roofing

Boston isn’t necessarily known for its lightning strikes or risk of exterior fires, but note that a metal roof is typically more fire-resistant than most shingles. Some homeowners assume that metal attracts lightning but this isn’t the case; lightning is attracted to high points, not certain materials. A lightning strike on a home’s roof might incinerate some asphalt shingles whereas a metal roof isn’t as flammable and offers more safety in cases of lightning, exterior fires, interior fires, and the like.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Roofing

If you’re very eco-conscious, note that metal roofing is often completely recyclable in Massachusetts, and can be recycled without the use of much energy or heat and resultant fumes and pollution. Some metal roofing manufacturers also use a certain percentage of recycled materials in their products, keeping those materials out of landfills and reducing the need for new iron ore and its resultant smelting.

Asphalt shingles are also typically recyclable but this process might require more heat and, in turn, produce more fumes and emissions. If you’re interested in purchasing materials for new roofing made from recycled products, you would do well to check with an asphalt shingle manufacturer or your roofing contractor about their use of reclaimed materials. You can then make the best and most eco-friendly decision for your home or business.

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