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Asphalt roofs provide better insulation than metal roofs, but that doesn’t always mean that asphalt roofs are better for reducing heating and cooling bills. In hotter climates, metal roofs will usually be better for home efficiency because the material reflects more sunlight and reduces solar heat gain. In colder climates, asphalt roofs are sometimes superior in terms of efficiency because they introduce more solar heat gain to your home and have greater insulating capabilities. However, metal roofs installed with an air gap can provide similar levels of insulation.

The cost to replace a roof averages around $9,200, and most people pay between $6,000 and $15,000. The size of your roof plays a major role in the total cost, but the most significant factor is whether you need new shingles placed over your old roof or a full replacement. The former is possible until you have three layers of roofing on your home, and it’s more affordable. A full replacement involves ripping off old layers of shingles, sometimes repairing the sheathing, and then laying down a new roof, which is the most expensive project.

How much snow a roof can handle depends on the snow’s weight and the roof's strength. Wet snow is far heavier than dry snow. In areas that receive annual snowfall in abundance, house designs regularly allow for between 35 and 50 pounds per square foot, equating to up to four feet of fluffy-snow accumulation.

The best type of roof vent depends on the size, type, and construction of your roof as well as the environmental conditions in and around your home. In many cases, an active ventilation system that draws in fresh air and exhausts air out through the attic is the most effective. Active ventilation systems include roof ridge vents with baffles, turbine vents, and soffit vents that are used together with another type of vent.