When it comes to deciding whether to install asphalt shingles or a metal roof, there are several factors that homeowners should take into consideration.
For starters, asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing material in the United States, and much of this can be attributed to price.
At Grussing Roofing, we charge around $600 per “square” to install asphalt shingles (price subject to increases in material prices).
A “square” is a 10’x10’ area of your roof.
In Eden Prairie, many homes are around 3,000 square feet, or 30 “squares.”
That equates to a roof replacement of around $18,000 for most homes in Eden Prairie.
Comparatively, here at Grussing Roofing we charge around $2,500 per “square” to install metal roofs, which comes out to a cost of $75,000 on a 30-square home.
That’s a difference of $57,000, which begs the question:
Why would anyone install a metal roof over asphalt shingles if there is a vast discrepancy in pricing?
“It’s a question we get a lot,” says Grussing Roofing owner Guy Grussing, who inherited the company from his father in 2009.
Grussing adds that the reason metal roofs are 4x more expensive is because they last nearly 4x longer than asphalt shingles.
“If you’re purely going to look at the quality of materials, then metal is superior because it is much more durable and resistant to inclement weather. Plus, you have to take into account the fact that if you install a metal roof in 2022, you’re likely not going to need a new roof until 2070,” Grussing explains.
The prospect of having a relatively maintenance-free metal roof appeals to some homeowners who have the expendable income to invest in a viable long-term option for the most important part of their home.
“The majority of roofs that we sell are asphalt shingles because the average homeowner switches residences every 16 years, but the people who elect to go with metal typically see the metal roof as an investment in a home that they plan on being in for the duration of their lifetime,” Grussing says.
“And to be frank, unless you are planning on never moving, or are comfortable shelling out tens of thousands of dollars, I wouldn’t advise installing a metal roof. It’s simply not practical for what most homeowners are looking for these days.”
For the record, asphalt shingles are not a bad product.
They just aren’t comprised of the same quality of materials as metal roofs.
“If there are no hail or windstorms, you’re likely going to get 20 years out of an asphalt shingle roof,” Grussing says.
“But even as I say that, most homes will be impacted by hail every 10-15 years. It’s just a reality. The good news with that is often homeowners have insurance coverage that protects them in case their roof needs to be replaced because of hail damage.”
Grussing mentions that many of the asphalt shingle roofs his crew replaced in 2022 were between 10-15 years old, with some as young as 7 years old.
“In almost all of these cases, homeowners are only paying for their deductible when insurance covers their roof, so it’s not a major financial burden for these types of homeowners, but to be fair, some insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to not pay for a roof replacement,” Grussing says.
If you’re a homeowner who doesn’t want to deal with your insurance company, or if the idea of needing to replace your roof roughly every dozen years is concerning, a metal roof may be right for you and your home.
“I know a few people who bought a metal roof 30 years ago when the prices were much lower, and today they’re still planning on getting another couple decades out of their metal roof,” Grussing mentions.
“That isn’t to say that metal roofs are never affected by hail damage, but very rarely do we get calls to inspect metal roofs for hail damage. The products of yesteryear and today are that good.”
If you’re curious as to what types of metal roofing products are currently available, there are two options that are most popular.
The first are metal shingles made by EDCO.
They look like traditional asphalt shingles but have the same efficiency as metal.
What’s nice about metal shingles is that EDCO warranties these products for up to 50 years.
That’s how confident they are in their products.
“We buy our metal roofing and siding through EDCO because not only do I believe in the quality of their materials, but I’ve also developed close relationships with several of the reps who work there, and if ever I have a question or a homeowner needs their expertise, they’ve been excellent at being a resource that I can trust and rely on,” Grussing details.
Besides metal shingles from EDCO, there is also standing seam metal, which are long rectangular strips of metal that run from the gutters to the ridge of the roof.
This is perhaps the most common form of metal roofs because of its sleek design.
“With metal roof designs, it ultimately comes down to what kind of look a homeowner prefers,” Grussing says.
“Some people like a more traditional shingle look, and others prefer the standing seam. Either way, if you go with a metal roof, you’re getting a superior product that will protect your home for many, many years.” QS