Alright, homeowners in Superior, let us talk about roofs. When it is time to replace your roof, you are making a very big decision. This decision affects how your home is protected and also affects your wallet for many decades. Here in Superior, WI, we experience lake-effect snow, brutal freeze-thaw cycles, and also very wild wind gusts off Lake Superior. Your roof really has to work hard in Superior, WI. So, what is the better choice for your home in Superior: tried-and-true Asphalt Shingles or the increasingly popular Metal Roof?
The Upfront Cost: Asphalt Shingles Usually Win Here
Let us get this out of the way first for homeowners in Superior, WI: Asphalt Shingles are almost always cheaper to install initially. For a typical home in Superior, you are looking at anywhere from $6 to $10 per square foot for Architectural Shingles. Metal Roofing, especially the Standing Seam kind that Paradise Roofing Inc recommends for its solid durability, starts higher. Metal Roofing often costs $12 to $20 or more per square foot. Exposed-Fastener Metal Panels are a bit less, maybe $7 to $12 per square foot, but they come with their own set of long-term considerations. This is a very significant difference in the initial cost. It is often the main reason homeowners in Superior lean towards Asphalt Shingles.
Durability: Where Metal Starts to Shine (Literally)
This is where Superior, WI's climate really makes a difference for your roof. Our winters are very long, very snowy, and very windy. Superior, WI gets over 60 inches of snow annually. In addition, we get more than 100 freeze-thaw cycles every year. That is very tough on any roofing material. Paradise Roofing Inc knows this well.
- Asphalt Shingles: Modern Architectural Shingles are built much better than the old 3-Tab kind. They can last 20 to 30 years, sometimes even 50 years with premium options. But those constant freeze-thaw cycles? They cause Asphalt Shingles to expand and contract. This can lead to cracking and curling over time. Hail can strip granules from the shingles, which weakens the shingle's protection. And those strong winds in Superior, WI? They can lift and even blow off Asphalt Shingles, especially if the shingles are older.
- Metal Roofing: This is where Metal Roofing truly excels for homes in Superior. It is incredibly durable, often lasting 40 to 70 years. Metal Roofs stand up to heavy rain, strong winds, and extreme cold much better than Asphalt Shingles. Metal Roofs are also non-combustible, which is a nice feature for homeowners. Hail might dent thinner Metal Panels, but it rarely compromises the roof's waterproofing. This is unlike granule loss on Asphalt Shingles. In addition, metal's lighter weight means less strain on your home's structure in Superior.
Maintenance: Less Headaches with Metal
Nobody wants to spend their weekends fixing their roof, especially not after a harsh Superior winter. Paradise Roofing Inc understands this.
- Asphalt Shingles: They need more attention. You will want to inspect them after every major storm for blown-off or damaged shingles. Moss and algae can be an issue for Asphalt Shingles, especially on north-facing slopes that do not get much sun. And those ice dams we get in Superior, WI? They are a huge problem for Shingle Roofs. Ice dams force water under the shingles and into your home.
- Metal Roofing: This is practically a