If your asphalt shingle roof is leaking or is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced, a metal tile roof can be an excellent alternative. Metal tile roofs are installed using small panels that are attached across your roof to look like tiles. When they're manufactured, they can be textured and painted to look like natural tiles like clay or slate, and you also have the option of texturing them to look like asphalt shingles if you'd like to preserve the appearance of your home. To learn three reasons why a metal tile roof is a great choice to replace your asphalt shingle roof, read on.

1. Helps You Reduce Cooling Costs During the Summer

One of the best reasons to switch to a metal tile roof is that it will help keep your home cooler in the summer. Asphalt shingles often become very hot during the day as they absorb heat from sunlight, especially if they're black. This heat can radiate into your attic and make your home uncomfortably warm.

Metal tiles are made using a reflective paint that prevents them from becoming hot when they're exposed to sunlight. This helps keep your home cooler during the summer, reducing the amount of electricity your air conditioner uses to keep your home comfortable and cool.

2. Weighs Less Than Other Tile Roof Options

Slate, clay, and concrete tile are all very heavy, so the structure of your home needs to be able to support their weight. If you're switching from asphalt shingles to one of these types of tiles, your roofing contractor will need to hire an engineer to calculate if your home can withstand the weight of the roof. If your home is designed for an asphalt shingle roof, it may need some modifications before heavy tiles can be installed. Hiring an engineer adds to installation costs, and installation costs will increase even more if you need to install more bracing to support the weight of your new tile roof.

You won't encounter this problem if you choose to switch to a metal tile roof instead. Galvanized steel and aluminum tiles are both very light, making them possible to install without worrying about the weight of your new roof. When you're switching from an asphalt roof to a tile one, choosing metal tiles will make the process simpler because it eliminates concerns about weight.

3. Provides Greater Durability Than Asphalt Shingles

While asphalt shingles are an inexpensive roofing option, they aren't very durable. Asphalt breaks down when it's exposed to sunlight, which hampers its ability to bind the granules in the shingle together. Old asphalt shingles eventually start to disintegrate, exposing your home to leaks. Metal tiles are much more resilient because they don't degrade with sunlight exposure. If you want to switch to a longer-lasting option than your current asphalt shingle roof, then a metal tile roof is a good choice.

If you think that a metal tile roof would be a good choice to replace your asphalt shingle roof, call a roofing contractor in your area who works with metal tile. You'll help save money on your energy bills by cooling down your roof while also replacing your roof with one that's much more durable.