b'STEEP SLOPEMEETING NEW CHALLENGES: ASPHALT SHINGLES VS. METAL ROOFINGHow solar power, material advances, and natural disasters have reshaped roofing pros and cons.By Mary Salmonsennmanywaysroofinghas notchangedinthepast10 I years, and may not for another 100.Butevensmallchanges tothebaseexpectationsfora roofsperformancecanlead professionalstoreconsiderthe ways they cover new homes.SinceBUILDERslast in-depthlookat theprosandconsofmetalandasphalt roofing,energyefficiencyhasremaineda toppriorityforhomeownerslookingfor lower utility bills and builders planning for HERS scores and certifications. Solar panels have become a common sight on American rooftops, and will be required on all new homes inCaliforniaby 2020. And many high-profilenaturaldisasters,including Californiaswildfires,SuperstormSandy, and devastating hurricanes on both coastsCourtesy CertainTeedhave sparked a strong focus on resilient andCertainTeeds Matterhorn Slate metal roofing emulates the look of slate.disaster-resistant products. the reroofing market in 2015, according to theshake.National Roofing Contractors Association, In light of this, BUILDER has re-examinedandcomprises75-80%ofthetotalU.S.Cost and Lifespana simple and widely asked questionwillsteep-slope roofing market, according to the asphalt or metal work best for my projects?Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers AssociationAsphalt: Asphaltisstilloneoftheleast Howhaveasphaltandmetalroofing(ARMA). Over 12.5 billion square feet ofexpensive roofing material types at $350-manufacturersupgradedtheirmaterialsasphalt shingles are manufactured annually,$900persquare.Asphalthasanaverage to meet todays standards? Which roofingenough to cover 5 million new homes everylifespanof15-20years,accordingtothe type will meet my needs for efficiency, oryear, and four out of five homes in the U.S.MRA,andARMAnotesthatroofsover resiliency, or aesthetics? And how will solarare roofed with asphalt. 20yearsoldareprimecandidatesfor panelsor solar shingles perform againstreplacement.my choice of surface? Metal:As of 2017, the most recent numbers available, metal roofing sales made up 10%Metal:Metal roofing, on the other hand, With energy efficiency and natural disasterof the overall roofing market, up from 9%isoneofthemostexpensive,according resilience at the forefront of buyers minds,in2010butdownfrom12%in2016.totheMRAsmaterialcomparisons,at both the asphalt and metal roofing industriesSteep-slope metal roofing makes up 6% ofanestimated$800-$1,200persquarefor havetakenstepsinthepastdecadetothe new construction market, up from 4%vertical seam and $800-$1,500 per square enhancetheirproductsperformance,asin 2016, and 11% of the reroofing market,forstampedpanel.Metalroofinghasan well as emphasize existing advantages. Heresdown from 14% in 2016. Vertical ribbedexpected lifespan of 50+ years.how the two materials have changedandpanels are the most commonly-used metal in some ways stayed the samesince 2010. roofingtypewith67%marketsharebyOther:With an expected lifespan of 50+ metal type, followed by shingle/shake/tile/ years, tile roofing ranges from $700-$1000 Market Share slate metal roofing at 24%. per square, slate lasts 75 years or more and costsfrom$800-$1,500,andshakefrom Asphalt:Asphalt made up 44% of the steep- Other:Other types of roofing with much$800-$1,500, which has a 30-year lifespan slope new construction market and 58% oflessmarketshareincludetile,slate,andwith regular maintenance.14 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'