Can You do a Metal Roof and Asphalt Shingle Roof Combination?

A new roof is far more customizable than you may realize. Whether choosing the right color, material, roof vents or flashing, you can easily tailor a roof to your desired look and budget. The possibilities truly are limitless.

A common question for many homeowners regarding roof customization is whether they can combine multiple roof systems, such as metal roofing and asphalt shingles. We’re here to clear up any uncertainty surrounding this topic once and for all. Here’s your complete guide to metal roofing and asphalt shingle combinations, including the benefits of combining roof systems, life span differences and more!

Can You Combine Metal Roofing and Asphalt Shingles?

Yes, it’s entirely possible to create a metal and asphalt shingle roof combination. Typically, this project is done by installing metal roofing on specific areas of an asphalt roof. These areas may include bay windows, side porches, back porches and front porches, as well as other parts that don’t constitute the majority of the roof. You can also do a metal combo on certain areas of your roof with asphalt on other areas.

Bear in mind that the more metal you use, the more it drives up the final price of your roof replacement. Furthermore, installing metal requires more technique and precision than asphalt shingle installation. As you can probably imagine, creating a combination of these materials requires even more skill.

That being said, it’s important to find an experienced roofing contractor if you’re considering an asphalt shingle and metal roof combination. A reliable roofing expert will understand both types of roofing materials and how to join them properly.

Benefits of Shingle and Metal Combo Roofs

There are multiple advantages to mixing metal and asphalt shingles for your roof, such as:

• Affordability: In most cases, installing a new metal roof is a more costly affair than installing asphalt shingles. If you’ve been on the fence about a metal roof due to the high cost, a metal and asphalt split can be a good cost-cutting solution. Asphalt shingles are a quality yet affordable roofing solution, keeping you and your family within your budget.
• Aesthetics: Combining different tones, textures and materials allows for a unique layered look, adding more depth and visual interest than one uniform material. Both metal roofing and asphalt shingles come in a range of colors and styles, offering various opportunities to get creative.
• Timing: Perhaps certain parts of your home or commercial building were constructed at different times and don’t all require new roofing. In this case, you can easily — and affordably — mix and match materials to avoid replacing the entire roof with one material.
• Features: Installing a different material on standalone features like pergolas, carports, covered pool areas and gazebos can set these elements apart from the main property, undoubtedly creating a stunning contrast.

Tips to Combine Roof Systems

As mentioned earlier, coordinating and installing roofing materials requires careful skill and technique. You’ll want to hire an experienced roofing professional with an understanding of both materials, as well as an eye for design. Talking to your contractor is ultimately the best way to determine the right gameplan for your roof, but below are some tips to guide you in combining roof systems:

• Choose an analogous color scheme. Opting for an analogous — or similar — color palette allows for better visual continuity of your roofline.
• Use a recessive color for the shingles. We recommend selecting a supportive, less dominant color for the shingle portion of the roof. This can help inspire your main color choice for the metal portion.
• Break up the visual pattern with a pop of color. This could be a contrast color or a variant shade of the existing color.
• Note the surrounding natural environment. This is a great way to gather inspiration for roofing colors and designs. If you live in a warm climate, for instance, you may want to opt for lighter colors. Dark shingles can attract more heat, impacting the temperature of the attic and other rooms in your home.
• Consider practicality. Aside from aesthetic and color choices, you’ll want to ensure the combination of roof materials complements the operational needs and functionality of your home or business.

With various benefits and opportunities to combine roofing systems, it’s easy to see why blending the affordability of asphalt shingles with the beauty of metal roofing is an excellent home project to consider.

Life Span Differences

Another thing to note about asphalt shingles and metal roofing is their different life spans. While both materials have good life spans, metal roofing will outlive asphalt shingles in most cases. The average life span of asphalt shingles is 12 to 30 years, while metal roofing can last 50 years or more, depending on the type of metal used. That means you’ll likely need to replace the asphalt shingles well before the metal.

Keep in mind that there are different types of roofing metals as well. Here are some popular metal roof materials and their life spans:

• Aluminum: An aluminum roof typically lasts 40 to 70 years.
• Copper: Copper is exceptionally long-lasting, with an average life span of 60 to 100 years.
• Standing seam: A standing seam metal roof usually lasts 30 or more years.
• Steel: A steel roof can last anywhere from 40 to 70 years.
• Tin: Like aluminum and steel, most tin roofs are expected to last 40 to 70 years.
• Zinc: A zinc roof can have an incredibly long life span of 70 to 100 years — sometimes even longer!

Multiple factors can influence the life span of your two roof systems — the type of material, sun exposure, the elements and maintenance, to name a few. However, as long as your attic is properly ventilated, you invest in high-quality materials and hire a reliable contractor to perform the installation, both the asphalt shingles and metal roof should come as close as possible to their maximum life span.

Design Your Dream Roof With Tiger Roofing

If you’re looking to install a new metal roof, high-quality shingles or a combination of the two, Tiger Roofing is your solution. Our residential roofing services in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Tennessee can bring your dream home improvements to life, complementing your house’s style, layout and color scheme.

Whether your roof is becoming worn or outdated, or you simply desire a fresh look that better matches your home or business aesthetic, Tiger Roofing is ready to assist you. Creating tailored solutions for roof repairs since 1998, we’ll ensure your roof is watertight and ready to serve you for years to come.

From quality craftsmanship to fast turnaround times, we strive to achieve full customer satisfaction with every project, surpassing their needs and expectations. You could be next! Request an estimate from Tiger Roofing today.