The Pros and Cons of Owning a Metal Roof

UPDATED 2/18/21

When you ask homeowners for a list of the most important structures to maintain in a home, near the top of the list will be the roof. Roofing maintenance is critical for any house. It keeps the weather from impacting the inside of a home and is a critical structure for a home. For some homeowners, however, renovating the entire home is equally important. Up to 35% of all remodeling jobs are whole home renovations. Part of the renovation process is getting a brand new roof fitted on your home.

One type of roof that you may want to consider is metal roofs, which has better longevity than a shingles roof, requires little maintenance, and is more energy-efficient. As with any product, there are pros and cons associated with a metal roof, but the pros certainly outweigh the cons, and here are the benefits of owning a metal roof.

Longevity

One of the primary reasons to purchase a metal roof is the longevity of this particular roof. A metal roof can last a homeowner up to 70 years, which depends on the material used to construct it. In comparison, an asphalt roof will only carry a lifespan of up to 20 years. Sure, it will cost you a bit more, but the price will be worth it for an additional 50 years of not having to replace your roof.

Durability

Not only will your metal roof last you longer, but it will also have better durability than an asphalt roof. Depending on the builder, a metal roof is more weather-resistant than an asphalt or shingle roof. For example, a metal roof can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour. That the equivalent of a category four hurricane.

Less Maintenance

While asphalt shingle roofs need constant maintenance, metal roofs don’t require that same amount of TLC. In fact, one of the primary benefits of owning a metal roof is that it doesn’t need costly maintenance as other roofing materials will require. That will, in turn, save you a lot of money and will allow you to put the money that would have gone to a roofing contractor into other household needs. Now, that doesn’t mean that your metal roof won’t need maintenance altogether, as you should still have it inspected to make sure that it stays structurally sound.

The Style

Metal roofs have come such a long way not only in functionality but in design as well. Today, a metal roof can come in any style, from zinc to galvanized steel. Also, you can add some personality to your metal roof, getting it in different colors and finishes that you can’t do with asphalt roofing. Granted, with an asphalt shingle roof, you can have up to 20 choices of colors to choose from, but with a metal roof, you’ll have up to 100 colors at your disposal.

The reason for the expanded color palette stems from the fact that steel and aluminum, the two types of metal most commonly used in residential roofing, can better hold a paint finish than its asphalt shingle counterpart.

Seven out of 10 homeowners who went with metal roofing have the traditional design of vertical ribbed panels. However, there are many different kinds of metal roof designs that you can choose from and roofing contractors can install. Some may go for the wood shakes design or clay tiles design. Any type of design will be at your fingertips with a metal roof. Contact a roofing company that specializes in metal roofing to see which design and color scheme fits you. A metal roof is great for homeowners who want to add more flair to their homes.

Metal Roofs Are Kinder to the Environment

Longevity, durability, and style aren’t the only redeeming factors in owning a metal roof. This type of roofing is also great for the environment. An asphalt shingle roof, which is the most common style of roofing found on homes, are made from petroleum products, which depends a lot on fossil fuels. Add in the fact that these types of roofs will have to be replaced every 20 years, and you have a type of roof that isn’t environmentally friendly.

Metal roofs, however, are a lot more sustainable, which is easier on the environment. Believe it or not, steel can be recycled repeatedly without losing its strength. Having a metal roof will also make it easier for homeowners to install solar panels on top of their roofs.

You can even have your metal roof installed over your asphalt one. Metal roof installation doesn’t require your existing asphalt shingles to be ripped up. Over 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles wind up in U.S. landfills every year due to maintenance and replacement. Another bonus is that a metal roof can be installed over your asphalt roof, which will result in a happier planet as there will be fewer asphalt shingles taking up space in a landfill.

More Energy Efficient

A metal roof is more expensive than an asphalt one, but you will wind up saving money over time thanks to its high energy efficiency. Metal is reflective, which causes the solar radiant of the sun to reflect off it is panels rather than absorb it. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, this alone can cause a nearly 25% reduction in utility costs in the summer months. Not only that, but that same reflective nature will make it easier to keep your home cooler when the summer sun is at its peak, all thanks to cool pigments in the paint finish of your metal roof.

A metal roof can also work in your favor in the winter months. That same reflective nature that will allow your home to stay cool can also retain heat better than an asphalt roof, resulting in savings in your winter utility bills as well.

As we mentioned earlier, a metal roof will also make it easier to install solar panels on top of your roof. Solar energy can be a real cost-saver and is easier to install on a metal roof than on an asphalt one.

Easier and Faster Installation

For residential roofing companies, it’s easier and faster to install a metal roof than it is to install an asphalt roof. A lot of metal roofing materials come in multiple-shingle sections or on 12-to-6-inch-wide panels, which ensures that a contractor with experience installing this kind of roofs can have it on in a quicker timeframe than it would take to install an asphalt roof. With metal roofing taking less time to install, this will also lessen labor hours for roofers, leading to savings in your wallet.

Metal Roofs Are Fire Resistant

Not only do asphalt roofs have a shorter lifespan, but they’re also prone to fires due to its combustible nature. A metal roof is more fire-resistant because the metal is non-combustible, which makes them more resistant to fire damage. It will be a pleasant surprise to know that most metal roofs have a Class A fire rating, which is the most fire-resistant rating out there. Now, this doesn’t mean that it is resistant to fire damage completely as the material the roofs are applied over is wood shingles, which are very combustible and have a Class C rating, one of the lowest.

Make sure your metal roof is periodically inspected by a roofing contractor to ensure that your metal roof stays safe from fire. While there are many pros and benefits to owning a metal roof, there are some cons that you will have to weigh-in as you consider if you’re ready to shell out the money for one of these roofs.

Metal Isn’t Noisy

When you install a metal roof, you don’t need to worry about hearing the rain smacking into the metal. During your metal roof installation, your contractors will make sure your roof is well-insulated. Insulation prevents the noise level from being too loud, making your metal roof just as quiet as a normal, asphalt shingle roof.

As much as all these pros of getting a metal roof are definitely convincing, there are still some cons that must be properly addressed in order to let you make a well-informed decision.

They’re More Expensive

One reason as to why it has been a slow transition from asphalt roofs to metal roofs has a lot to do with affordability.

A metal roof can cost as much as three times that of an asphalt one, meaning that you’ll have to shell out more money if you want to go with a metal roof. While this type of roof is certainly expensive, think of what your money will be buying.

A metal roof carries more durability, more longevity, and less maintenance than your asphalt roof. Oh, and it’s more energy-efficient. So while you’ll be paying more money now, the savings you’ll have will more than make up for it.

Metal Roofs Can Be Dented

A metal roof can require less maintenance than its asphalt counterpart, which will be a relief to your wallet. However, that doesn’t mean that your metal roof isn’t susceptible to damage. If a hailstorm comes passing by, some types of metal roofing can become dented. The main types of metal roofing that can dent are copper and aluminum, both of which are softer than a steel roof.

Also, denting can occur when people walk on the roofs as well. Plumbers, who need to be on the roof to snake out vent pipes, or roofing service professionals will require them to be on your metal roof. That type of traffic could cause your roof to dent, which will require the services of a metal roofing company to come out and repair.

Potential for Rust

While metal roofs can last for decades, they will eventually develop red rust over time. If you spot that your roof is beginning to take on rusting, contact your local residential or commercial roofing contractors to repair it.

Ease of Repair

Although these issues exist alongside owning a metal roof, you can rest assured that getting them fixed right up wouldn’t take as much time and money as with other materials. Key to this is you working with a professional metal roofer who will not only give you viable solutions for your roofing issues, but will also provide a realistic timeline.

Fixing a metal roof, or any kind of roof for that matter, can be a stressful task because of the important structural role it plays. Without the professional help, you might even find yourself looking at other options, such as asphalt. Is metal roofing cheaper than asphalt, however? As discussed above, both in terms of installation and maintenance, the answer is definitely yes.

Should you ever come to a point when your metal roof needs repairs, you’re much better off investing in good quality metal roofing repair service than changing it up altogether—unless a complete redesign is what intend to do all along, of course.

Deciding on a metal roof can be a huge decision that will require you to weigh the pros and cons of such a venture. However, if you look at everything associated with owning a metal roof, you’ll see that it carries a lot more pros than cons.

A metal roof can be an expensive purchase, but your money will also be purchasing a roof that carries a longer life span and more durability than your current asphalt roof. Low cost metal roofing translates to low cost roof repair. Those two aspects you really can’t put a price tag on. Another aspect of a metal roof you can’t put a price tag on is the savings you’ll enjoy thanks to the energy-efficient nature of a metal roof. There’s nothing more satisfying than saving money on your utility bill.

Your money will also purchase a roof that will require less maintenance than your current asphalt roof, which will add up to even more savings in your wallet. Those savings can easily be reinvested in other household renovation projects instead of going to a roofer for routine maintenance. As for installation, metal roofs are easier to install for roofing services as it’s less labor-intensive.

A metal roof isn’t perfect, but it can carry long-lasting value and will age well along with the rest of your home. Maybe this is the perfect time to throw caution to the wind and make the switch to a metal roof. The environment, your wallet, and your home will all thank you later.

Metal vs. Asphalt

People who want to buy roofing supplies will be interested in putting together the best roofing system. However, there are plenty of very different high-quality roofing systems. Metal roofs and roofs made using asphalt shingles both have positive qualities.

There are many asphalt roof shingles styles available now. Lots of people pick asphalt roof shingles because these shingles may help them reduce their overall heating expenses. These roofs may actually absorb as much as seventy percent of all of the light that reaches them. The attics and the top floors of houses like these should be particularly warm.

Individuals who want to consistently spend less money on air conditioning often specifically choose to get metallic roofs installed. Roofing material like this will reflect incoming heat and light. Houses that would otherwise become very warm at many points will overheat less easily.

The best roof repair services can help people update and modify roofs made using almost any material. Metallic roofs and roofs that use asphalt shingles actually have many of the same overall advantages. They’re both stylish and capable of lasting for more than a couple of decades. Both types of roofing material have been installed frequently for years.

If you’re wondering how hard is it to replace a roof, the answer is that it depends. It can be very difficult or it can be simple. It all depends on how much money you have and how much work you’re willing to put into it. Commercial roofing companies might cost you more than you would want to spend, but their work is guaranteed in a way that doing it yourself is not. It will also depend on the different roofing options you consider and ultimately go with. Metal and asphalt roofing products have different costs and different requirements for installation and maintenance. If you go with asphalt, it might be easier because it is more common. So companies are more likely to have a streamlined way of doing things. But custom shingles can add more work and cost if that is the direction you choose to go in. So before making any plans, decide what matters most to you in your roof replacement. Your wants, needs, and budget will help you determine who you should hire and what you should purchase.