If you’re planning to install a new roof, you may wonder which roofing material to use. One popular choice is metal roofing, which has its pros and cons.
Depending on the structure of your home, your roofing contractor might suggest that you replace your existing shingle roof with a metal roof. While the typical asphalt roof needs replacing at 15 years old, metal roofing coverage lasts 50 years or more. If you plan to reside in your home for more than 15 years, a metal roof costs less over the long term and stands the test of time.
If you’ve only seen metal roofs on barns, where the installation ran metal roofing on walls, too, you need to see modern metal roofing. Today’s metal roofing comes in an array of colors, typically red, green, navy blue, gray, black, and white. If you dream of a yellow roof but no roofing manufacturer products available near you come in yellow, you can have a metal roof painted and sealed to any color you want.
Your metal roof can appear similar to a shingle roof or a seamless roof. Metal roof dimensions come in shingle size (12” or 18” widths) and sheet size (26” to 36” widths). In both cases, the installer cuts the length to fit your roof, according to Inch Calculator’s Metal Roofing Material and Price Calculator.
According to Home Tips, one of the reasons many prefer metal roofing is its ability to last a long time. Our research shows that a metal roof can last for 50 to 100 years, depending on which type of metal is used. Other reasons for using a metal roof include its ability to withstand the elements. Be sure to talk with the roof contractor about ongoing metal roof services, as you’ll want an annual roof inspection. Before making your final selection for a roofing contractor, talk with the roofing team about the metal roof components they will use. According to Smithbuilt Metals, caps, flashing, and trim pieces are instrumental in strengthening and protecting your metal roof.
You may wonder about the average metal roof cost. According to USA Today, although costs will vary by which type of metal you use, the national average is almost $10,500. The same website estimates the average cost of a metal roof could range from $5 to $16 per square foot.
The other consideration of metal roofing size relates to the thickness of the metal. Metal roofing comes in four gauges – 22, 24, 26, and 29. The thickest metal roofing measures 22 gauge. Now that you know the basics of metal roofs, let’s consider the pros and cons of having metal roofing installed on your home.
If you’re in the market for a new roof, you’re probably already considering a lot of different types. Here are some of the pros and cons of having metal roofing installed:
Pros
There are several reasons that steel roofing or other metal commercial roofs might be better than more conventional options. Here are a few of them:
- Life Expectancy: Metal roofing lasts a long time with minimal maintenance. Some steel roofing has a lifespan of up to 100 years! Even less expensive metal roofing can often last more than 50 years if maintained properly. All told, you can expect your metal roof to last you from three to seven times longer than an asphalt shingle roof.
- Weight: A tile roof can weigh 750 pounds per square inch. Metal roofing weighs from 50 to 150 pounds, depending on the type you get. This may allow you to replace your roof without having to add any structural support; and you may even be able to downsize the roof support you already have. Their light weight also means metal roofs can be pitched higher, making it less likely you?ll get a leak.
- Speed: Steel roofing comes in either vertical panels or interlocking shingles, and both types can be laid on very quickly. A good roofing company or metal roof contractor can likely install your new roof a couple days quicker than traditional roofing.
- Cost: Steel roofing or aluminum roofing reflect heat from the sun, meaning less need for the air conditioning. Estimates suggest that a metal roof could result in as much as a 25% savings on your energy bill.
Cons
There are also some downsides to metal roofing. Read on for some of those:
- Cost: The biggest drawback is probably the cost of steel roofing, which is significantly more expensive than traditional roofing. If you?re planning on moving soon, it might not be worth it to go with metal. But if you plan to stay for a while, you will save the difference and more in the long run.
- Care: This only applies to some metal roofing. Some painted metals can look pretty rough over time, while others will continue to look great for decades. Inquire about this with a metal roof company to find out more.
- Noise: This is a very personal thing. Some people love the sound of rain drumming on a metal roof. Others find it awful. If you know you hate this sound, you can either avoid steel roofing entirely or install insulation to deaden the sound. If you love the sound of rain on the roof, you’ll be heaven with a metal roof.
There are a lot of good reasons to consider metal roofing, but also reasons to go with traditional shingle or tile roofing instead. If you’re not sure, contact a commercial roofing company to find out what your options are.
