Weight of Metal Roofing vs Shingles

Weight of Metal Roofing vs Asphalt Shingles

Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs are typically much LIGHTER than asphalt composition shingles. Metal roofs typically weigh 1.4 pounds per square foot, compared to 2 to 5 pounds for composite roofs. The fact that many different types of metal roofs may be put over pre-existing roof materials (such asphalt and wood shingles, for example) without endangering the roof structure is a benefit of their very light weight.

Weight of Metal Roofing Materials 

You might be shocked to learn that most metal roofs weigh less than two pounds per square foot, which is comparable to many types of asphalt shingles. Steel, the heaviest of the metals used for roofing, weighs roughly 1.5 pounds per square foot, whereas shingles weigh, on average, about two pounds per square foot. The weight savings are significantly greater if you pick copper or aluminum roofing over steel, at 1.25 and 0.7 pounds, respectively. Residential metal roofs are therefore fairly doable given that these are loads that the average home can withstand.

Snow flows off a metal roof easily before it has a chance to build up, and rain never has a chance to collect and soak in to cause water damage. You can s top worrying about everything that has accumulated on the roof.

Lightweight – Metal roofing has the significant advantage of being a very lightweight material. First, during the roll forming and installation procedure, it’s simpler for the installers to handle and transport up on the roof. Second, it doesn’t weigh down or place undue strain on a structure, which minimizes frame damage and maintains a building’s integrity.

Typical Metal Roof Issues Explained

Noisiness

Yes, metal roofs might be noisy when it rains, but that is what happens when construction is subpar. In actuality, installing metal roofing may be done quickly and sloppily like any other construction project, with noise being a regular side effect. But when metal roofs are installed correctly, sound absorption is made possible by superior underlayment. Similar to choosing underlayment for a hardwood or engineered floor, there are varying levels of sound-dampening products that are not all made equally. Modern synthetic underlayment is revolutionizing soundproofing.  Find out from your metal roofing expert what roofing panel and underlayment combination will best contain the pounding of rain and hail.

Are Their Weight Issues with Metal Roofs?

Given that metal roofing may be the lightest roofing option, this is a true puzzler. The needs of today’s homes can be satisfied by a wide range of metal roofing materials thanks to modern engineering techniques. When weight is a factor, metal roofing is, in comparison, the best option for you. The weight of an asphalt roof is twice that of a typical metal roof. Three times as heavy as metal roofs are fiber cement shakes, slate, and concrete tiles.

Buying a Metal Roof

When you start looking into various roofing materials, you’ll find that roofs can range in weight from quite heavy to extremely light. It can be the difference of parking three fully laden material trucks on top of your house, or only a golf cart.
The type of the roof on a 2500 square foot home can range from 1750 pounds to 50,000 pounds, depending on the material you use. 

Does the weight of your roof therefore matter in any difference? In actuality, it does. Let’s look at some of the variables that should be taken into account.

To begin with, some roofs are heavy in large part because weight and gravity are what keeps them firmly attached to the roof. Many roofing materials have few or no fasteners holding them to the structure of your property and few interlocking characteristics.

Those materials must be weighty or else they won’t hold firmly in strong winds.  However, some materials that have interlocks between the panels or shingles and that are fastened to the roof deck can be extremely wind resistant and light in weight.

Next, a house’s structural materials frequently deteriorate with time. Even dimensional lumber and the majority of engineered woods may be affected by this. With fire-treated woods, it is frequently a major consideration. Lower strength increases the likelihood that the house will sway or move when the weight of the roofing materials is considerable.

In the event of a severe windstorm, reducing some of the weight on the house can protect both its structural integrity and its life.

Additionally, a lighter roof might shield the house from damage caused by earthquakes and other seismic events. Following the devastating earthquake in Kobe, Japan in 1995, many people started rebuilding using light-weight roof materials as opposed to their customary heavy tile roofs.

A light weight roof also reduces the possibility of a roof collapse in the event of an inside home fire that spreads to the attic. In fact, if a roof has a lot of heavy roofs on top, fire fighters won’t even attempt to put out the fire inside the house.

Here is a list of sample roofing material weights, per 100 square feet:

• Aluminum Shingles 45 pounds
• Aluminum Standing Seam 70 pounds
• Steel Shingles 80 pounds
• Steel Standing Seam 120 – 150 pounds
• Stone-Coated Steel Shingles 125 – 150 pounds
• Asphalt / Fiberglass Shingles 275 – 325 pounds (62+ pounds per bundle x 3)
• Dimensional Shingles 350 – 425 pounds
• Composite Shingles 350 – 450 pounds
• Wood Shingles 300 – 400 pounds
• Wood Shakes 450 – 600 pounds
• Concrete Tile 450 – 700 pounds
• Slate 900 – 1200 pounds
• Clay Tile 900 – 1500 pounds

The ideal option for a homeowner is a low weight roof with secure attaching to the roof deck and interlocking panels made of metal for strength. With these products, homeowners get the best of both worlds!

FAQs

What weighs more, shingles or metal roof?

Asphalt shingles are frequently heavier than metal roofs. It may surprise you to find that a metal roof is typically 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof and 75% lighter than any other type of roofing material. To give you an idea, the average weight per square foot of asphalt shingles ranges from 275 to 425 pounds, depending on the manufacturer and type. In contrast, the typical metal roof weighs about 100 pounds for every 100 square feet. You do not need as many roof supports or have to worry about your roof sagging under the weight of the roofing material because steel roofing and other types of material are lightweight.

Snow flows off a metal roof easily before it has a chance to build up, and rain never has a chance to collect and soak in to cause water damage. 

When compared to other roofing materials, how heavy is metal roofing?

Weight per square foot for steel roofing ranges from.7 to 1.3 lbs, depending on gauge and arrangement. 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot are average for shingles. Approximately 10 lbs. are distributed every square foot of clay tile.

Which is simpler to install, shingles or metal roofing?

Metal: Compared to shingles, installing a metal roof takes more accuracy and is less forgiving. However, there is no need to remove your current roof because it may be placed right over it.

Benefits: Metal may be put over existing roofing and is lightweight and simple to work with.

Cons: Finding a reliable contractor with experience may end up costing you a little bit extra because there aren’t many trained contractors who can install metal roofing.

Asphalt Shingles: As one of the most popular roofing materials, asphalt shingle roofs are quick and simple to install by a variety of experienced roofing professionals.

Advantages: You can quickly and easily build your asphalt roof by finding the materials you need and a skilled contractor.

Cons: It takes longer to install a new asphalt roof because the old one must be removed first.