Metal vs. Tile: What is the Better Roof Choice?
Have you ever asked yourself this question? This is one of the challenging questions which homebuilders and renovators ask themselves each year.
A roof is your home’s first line of defence to elements. It is your shield against the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rainfall. The choice of roofing material spells a huge difference in terms of the comfort it can provide. You definitely want your family to be in a safe environment, and out of harm’s way. Whatever your architectural style is, ‘a home is a man’s castle’, as the famous line says. A house is more than just a structure. It is your shelter. It is where your family starts to build dreams.
In today’s constantly changing environment, when you speak of housing structure, you don’t just talk about putting a roof over your head. You think of longevity, durability, and performance of housing materials. You want to ensure that your roof can withstand the harshest environments possible. (Admittedly, at times, aesthetic value often outweighs other factors). In deciding the type and style of roof that will best suit your home, try to make a list of the pluses and minuses of the materials. Be sure you are making the right choice.
Weighing Your Options: Metal or Tile Roofing
Choosing a roof for your home, be it metal or tile, is really a personal preference. However, you cannot ignore important factors in deciding which material will most likely work best. These factors include your location, the climate conditions in your area, and your budget. Fortunately, many diverse styles and types of roofing materials are available today.
In Florida, the two main types of roofing materials are metal and tiles. To help you weigh things up, here are some pros and cons about the two:
- In terms of durability and resistance, a concrete tile roof is proven to outperform other roofing products. It has a lifespan of up to 50 years, compared to metal roofing of 30 to 45 years. Concrete tiles can withstand the toughest elements. Environmental conditions, however, affect metal roofing. For instance, metal roof tends to rust with exposure to salt and temperature changes, among others. Metal roofs are also more prone to dents and cracks if there is weight on them, as compared to concrete tiles.
- Both metal and concrete roof tiles have advantages when it comes to energy efficiency. Of the two, however, concrete roof tile contributes more to controlling internal temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption.
- In terms of design and style, both tile and metal roofing has evolved through the years. Although, metal roofs have more advantage in this area as they look better with any architectural style. The choice of your design could also have an impact to the aesthetic appeal and resale value of a property. It is estimated that the recouped value of a metal roof resale is approximately 90%.
- Turning to maintenance, the colour of metal roofs normally dulls after a couple of years. Repair of metal roofing can also be difficult and expensive. This is because the entire sheet of the metal roofing may have to be removed. With concrete roof tiles, however, you can always find a set that will match the existing colour of the roof tile that has to be replaced.
- In terms of costs, installing metal roofing requires high level of skills and technical expertise. Therefore, installation costs are usually higher.