Are you one of those homeowners looking to replace your roof? You know it’s a significant and costly decision that involves various considerations. Deciding whether you need a metal roof vs tile roof can be a challenging task being a homeowner as they are both made of high-quality materials with many benefits.
This blog post will simplify the decision by comparing these two commonly chosen roofing options in Maryland.
How to Select the Right Material for Your Home
Selecting the right roofing material for your home is a difficult task due to so many roofing products available in the market. The first step before deciding on the roof material that you will use on your property is to make sure that it is economical according to your budget and contains all the features compatible with the climate of your region.
The comparison between metal roof vs tile roof is particularly relevant. Metal roofing has been a popular choice for homeowners due to its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. On the other hand, Spanish tile roofs have been in high demand recently because of their durability and aesthetics. The Spanish tile roofs are known as excellent water shedders in regions where there is unexpected rain.
What is Metal Roofing?
Metal roofing has both practical and aesthetic functions, as it protects your property and enhances its appearance. However, metal roofing sheets are typically made from zinc, copper, steel alloys, and expensive copper.
The panels are typically designed to be installed vertically or in modular sections. Afterwards, a granular coating resembling traditional roofs is applied. This coating serves to protect the metal from scratches and dents caused by footsteps or falling objects.
There are various ways in which metal roofing ensures protection and durability, providing value in different forms.
Benefits of Getting a Metal Roofing
Before considering replacing your roof with a new metal roof or other material, consider the long-term benefits of metal roofing and its return on investment.
Longevity
Metal roofs are famous for their strength and long lifespan. These are made to withstand harsh conditions like heavy rain, snow, hail, and strong winds. It also protects your property against fire, decay, and damage caused by pests.
These qualities make metal roofs an excellent choice for ensuring long-lasting protection for your home.
Endurance
Endurance is another significant benefit of metal roofing. Metal roofs are renowned for their exceptional endurance and ability to withstand challenging conditions. Rain, wind, blazing heat, snow, and ice are different elements.
Metal roofs won’t chip, break, or crack. Metal roofs are secure, no matter how bad the weather condition gets.
Potential Drawbacks of Metal Roofing
Some of the potential drawbacks of metal roofing are:
- Metal roofs are noisy whenever there is a hail or storm.
- Metal roofing is prone to rust in the regions where there is frequent rain.
- metal roofs are sturdy, but they can still experience damage like dents and chips.
- Metal roofs are more expensive as compared to traditional roofing materials.
Enhanced Curb Appeal
As we all know, the first impression is the last impression, so the visual appearance of your home plays a significant role in attracting new potential buyers and increasing its value. Metal roofs provide a stylish and modern appearance that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your house.
You have the flexibility to customize your metal roof by selecting from a variety of colors, styles, and finishes, which allows it to be customized according to your home’s architectural design.
Energy Efficiency
Metal roofing often comes with reflective coatings that help reduce heat absorption from the sun. This reflective property can significantly lower cooling costs during hot summer by keeping your home cooler.
What is Spanish Tile Roofing
Spanish tile is a popular roofing material made from fired clay often associated with the Spanish architectural styles. It has been a roofing choice for centuries and is still popular for homeowners who want to add a touch of elegance along with the durability to their homes.
Benefits of Getting a Spanish Tile Roofing
Spanish tile roofing has gained popularity among homeowners with its distinctive style and numerous benefits. Some of the critical advantages of Spanish tile roofing are:
Durability and Longevity
One of the significant advantages of Spanish tile roofing is its durability. Made from materials such as clay (terra cotta tile), Spanish tiles are built to withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rain, strong winds, and even hail.
They have a long lifespan, often 100 years or more, with proper maintenance. This longevity makes Spanish tile roofing a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Excellent Insulation
Spanish tile roofs provide excellent insulation properties, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the year. The heavy mass of the tiles acts as a natural thermal barrier, reducing heat transfer between the roof and the interior space.
This insulation effect can help lower energy consumption and decrease heating and cooling costs.
Fire Resistance
As we all know, safety is a top priority for homeowners, and Spanish tile roofing offers excellent fire resistance. The tiles are made from non-combustible materials, which makes them highly fire-resistant.
This fire-resistant property adds extra protection to your home and gives you peace of mind.
Low Maintenance
Spanish tile roofs have relatively low maintenance costs compared to other roofing materials. They are resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage
Regular inspections and minor repairs, such as replacing broken tiles, are generally all needed to keep the roof in good condition. This low maintenance requirement saves your time and money in the long term.
Environmentally Friendly
If you’re environmentally concerned, Spanish tile roofing is an eco-friendly option. Since they are made of clay or concrete, so these tiles have a minimal impact on the environment.
Additionally, the long lifespan of Spanish tile roofs means fewer materials end up in landfills compared to roofs that need replacing more frequently.
Potential Drawbacks of Spanish Tile Roofing
Each roofing material has it’s own benefits and drawbacks, some of the potential drawbacks of spanish tile roofing are:
- Spanish tile roofing is heavy weight, and difficult to install.
- It is difficult to repair spanish tile, and mostly the whole panel is replaced.
- Spanish tile roofs are brittle and may require added structural reinforcement to install.
Cost comparison between Metal and Spanish Tile Roofs
Metal Roofing
There is a wide range of prices for metal roofing, depending on the panel you choose. Metal roof prices start from $5 per square foot and go upto $25 depending on the metal material type; for instance, an aluminum roof tile costs $3.25 to $5.75, while a copper roof costs $14 to $22.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles cost between $10.50 and $18.50 per square foot installed. spanish clay roof tile roughly weighs around 600-650 lbs. per square. This type of weight can easily exceed your home’s roof load-bearing capacity. To prevent your roof from caving in, you’ll have to involve a structural engineer to reinforce your home.
Final Thoughts
When choosing between metal roof vs tile roof for your next roof replacement, it’s essential to weigh your options and consider the advantages and disadvantages of both materials. There’s no clear winner. Both metal and spanish style roofs are great options and the best roof for Maryland’s climate.
At Evoli Roofing, we have a team of professionals who are skilled in installing both metal roofing and Spanish tile roofing, but deciding between the two is a challenging task for many homeowners. If you’d like professional guidance in Maryland, schedule an on-site inspection by calling (757) 799-4601.
