What Is A Metal Roof?

What Are the Disadvantages of A Metal Roof?

Metal is a Safe and Environmentally Responsible Choice for a Fire-Resistant Roof

How Much Is A Metal Roof?

Metal roofing installation costs $6 to $12 per square foot installed vs. an asphalt shingle roof which costs $3 to $7 per square foot installed. Most homeowners spend between $7,858 and $14,412 in total. The long-term investment return of metal roofing over the quick to be replaced asphalt roof is highly preferred. Prices depend on roof size and slope, cost to remove old roof, type of metal used, painting, and installation labor.

METAL ROOF COST

National Average Cost $11,129

Minimum Cost $7,019

Maximum Cost $30,600

Average Range $7,858 to $14,412

Average Metal Roof Cost Per Square Foot

On average, a metal shingle roof ranges from $7 to $10 per square foot installed, while a standing seam metal roof costs between $10 and $12 per square foot installed. The average cost for a new metal roof is $11,000, but most homeowners will pay between $7,858 and $14,412 depending on the size and slope or roof, and the materials chosen.

When looking to replace an existing roof on a home due to structural integrity, damage, or age, metal roofing is one of the best energy-efficient materials for your upgrade. In addition to the savings on installation hours, you can install a metal roof over an existing steep and gabled roof or flat roof, so there are no costs associated with the removal of the existing roofing materials.

How long Does A Metal Roof Last For?

Metal roofs offer many benefits, including:

Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.

Durability. Some metal roofs can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour, will not corrode or crack, and may be impact-resistant (depending on which metal you choose). In addition, metal roofs don't need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required.

Safety. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike.

Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-25%.

Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs not only have 25-95% recycled content, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life as a roof. In contrast, most shingle tear-off waste ends up as part of the building-related waste stream — up to 20 billion pounds per year.

What Are the Disadvantages of A Metal Roof?

Of course, any roofing option has disadvantages to consider, but the advantages of metal roofing far outweigh these factors.

Cost: The initial expense of a metal roof is generally higher than other roofing options. As the price of oil continues to rise, however, the cost difference between metal and asphalt roofing is beginning to narrow—since oil is a primary ingredient in asphalt shingles.

Noise: Metal roofs can be noisier than other alternatives.

Snow: Accumulated snow may slide off of metal roofs, causing damage and injury to people and property below. Properly installed snow guards are often used to stop snow from sliding.

There are also a couple of common misconceptions regarding metal roofing. There is some concern among homeowners that hail will dent their roof, but many reputable metal roofing materials are produced with a guarantee against denting. Another concern is whether lightning may be attracted to a metal roof, but this concern has proven to be unfounded.

Is A Metal Roof Better Than Shingles?

Metal roofs tend to be more durable. Metal roofs can stand up to nearly anything Mother Nature throws at them, so you’ll find that they come with 30- to 50-year warranties, and often outlast that with lifespans of 40 to 70 years. Metal roofs are not without weaknesses, however: Extreme hail or falling branches could dent a metal roof, as could walking on it improperly. Discuss vulnerability concerns with the manufacturer. You’ll learn, for example, that steel is hardier than copper.

Shingles have a shorter lifespan due to their own unique set of weaknesses. Pooling water and chronically damp conditions can lead to algae and fungus growth, ice dams can create cracks, and temperature spikes between day and night can reduce the life of your shingle roof. Shingle roofs come with 15- to 30-year warranties, depending largely on the region, environment, and climate.

Shingle roofs are cheaper up front. Though you’ll get more life out of a metal roof, you’ll pay the price at the time of installation. Metal roofs generally can run from $120 to $900 per 100 square feet (one 10-foot by 10-foot area, or a “square” of material), while asphalt shingles will be between $100 and $200 per 100 square feet. Its installation will also run you more for metal since it’s a more specialized job.

You may recoup some of the costs of a metal roof down the road, because you likely won’t ever have to replace it. Additionally, insurance companies may offer discounts to homes with metal roofs. You may even qualify for tax credits by installing a metal roof on your primary home. Finally, metal roofs are so energy efficient they can save you money in monthly heating and cooling costs.

Metal roofs are more eco-friendly. Because they’re largely made of recycled material and can be recycled again and again, metal roofs are considered a more sustainable choice than asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are also more energy-efficient thanks to their reflective qualities, which can block heat transmission to the home’s interior. Specialized paint coatings can further reduce your cooling bills. Asphalt shingles, on the other hand, need to be replaced more frequently than metal roofs; it’s estimated that U.S. landfills receive nearly 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles annually. Also, asphalt shingles are a petroleum-based product, which increases dependency on fossil fuels.

Asphalt shingle roofs generally are easier to install and repair. For pros, the work requires little specialized knowledge and basic tools. Shingles can be installed in a day or two in some cases, sometimes right over the existing layer. Metal roofing installation typically requires a more skilled and specialized tradesman. The job is more precise, with less room for error, so it won’t move as quickly as a shingle installation. However, some lightweight metal products may be able to be installed right over an existing roof in good condition, simplifying installation overall and eliminating the cost of ripping the original roof out.

Likewise, repairs are also easier for shingles than metal roofing. Though roofing manufacturers don’t recommend do-it-yourself jobs—you could likely void the warranty—asphalt sheets are easier to work with than metal ones, since they can be cut down to size and retrofitted to the roof with little difficulty. Metal roofs are harder to replace individually, due to the way the metal panels are joined together, and typically require a retrofit of an entire panel.

Is A Metal Roof Flame Resistant?

While in a firestorm, the home may catch fire in a variety of ways, protecting the roof from fire is just one key. Fire-resistant sidewalls, not having shrubbery and even grass up near the house, keeping the area around the house cleared of wood and brush debris and many other preventative measures are important components to keeping your property safe. However, the number one investment you can make for your dwelling is to protect the roof from fire.

Though very popular, wooden roofs do not adequately protect your home from fire. In fact, homeowners with wooden roofing pay an extra high insurance premium.

The idea of fire-safe roofing is nothing new. Tile products, which are often used, are fire safe but have a significant disadvantage: the heavy tile products carry a large cave-in risk in the event of an interior fire or even seismic activity. Firefighters are trained not to go into a tile-roofed building that is on fire, because of the risk of a cave-in of the heavy roof.

Metal is a Safe and Environmentally Responsible Choice for a Fire-Resistant Roof

Classic Metal Roofing Systems, the leader in producing fire safe roofing for residential applications, manufactures products that are 1/20 the weight of most tile products and eligible for Class A, B, or C fire ratings as determined by roof preparation. In addition to being fire-resistant, Classic Metal Roofing Systems products carry the added advantage of being made from quality, up to 99% recycled aluminum, the majority of which is post-consumer. When used for a replacement roof, Classic’s stylish products can often be installed right over old roofing…saving the accumulation of debris in landfills.

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