There are many options when it comes to selecting roofing materials for your home. Some of the most common materials include metal roofing, concrete, clay tiles, asphalt shingles, slate, wood shingles, and synthetic roofing.
Normally, people opt for concrete and clay tiles or wood roofing for their homes, but they are also coming round to using metal roofs.
In the past, metal roofs were only used to cover sheds and barns, but their exceptional durability and design options have made them highly suitable for homes as well. Not only are they durable, but are also one of the most low-maintenance and cost-effective options. Although it does cost more than other roofing options, metal roofing also provides exceptional value for money.
In this article, we would cover everything that you need to know before installing a metal roof on your home, including the different types and costs associated with it.
What is Metal Roofing?
Metal roofing is a refined and strong option for all kinds of properties, and they are made from materials like aluminum, copper, and steel. You can also find some more affordable options made from tin or zinc. Metal roofing is available in sheet, slate, or tiling options that can be easily installed on the top of the house.
Generally, metal roofs are expected to last anywhere between 40-80 years, due to their exceptional strength and refined texture. In addition, they are also low-maintenance, so you will not have to spend anything on repairs, thus saving money.
What Type of Metal Roof is the Best?
The term ‘metal roofs’ is quite broad and there are numerous types of metal roofs that you can choose from. Let us have a look at the different types one by one.
Standing Seam
Standing seam metal roofs are one of the most popular options, and they are known for their wonderful appearance and weatherproof qualities. They uplift your home’s aesthetics and make it look beautiful.
Shake-Inspired
This type of metal roofing is inspired by wooden or asphalt shingles, which have a classic look that contributes to their popularity. They aren’t as weatherproof as other options, but they look amazing on your roof.
Tile-Inspired
Just like shake-inspired metal roofs, these metal roofing options are made to look like concrete or clay tiles, and since they are highly durable, this makes them a much better option. They are also incredibly weatherproof and can protect your home against all the elements.
Slate-Inspired
Slate roofs are made from natural stone and although they are incredibly stylish, they can cost quite a lot of money. This is why you can find slate-inspired metal roofing that is much more durable and adds a touch of class to your home.
Corrugated Metal Roofing
This type of metal roofing is made by dipping galvanized steel into a hot zinc solution and cold-rolling them, which gives them a shiny and corrosion-free surface. They are fitted on the top of the house using screws and have a wonderful appearance with grooves or ridges on them.
Zinc
Although they aren’t too common in the United States, zinc metal roofs are a suitable option as well. Although they are highly expensive, zinc metal roofs have the highest life span and durability, and they also don’t require any maintenance at all. Since they are long-lasting, you can expect your investment to pay off.
Aluminum
Aluminum is another suitable option for metal roofs, and it can be installed much quicker than other options. Moreover, it is fire-resistant and can also keep pests away from your home. Since it is flexible and lightweight, aluminum metal roofs are suitable for all climates, which makes them suitable for both home and commercial roofing.
Copper
Copper is the longest-lasting type of metal roofing and it can be expected to last more than a century. It is known to protect your home against rain, fire, wind, mildew, roof hail damage, and other causes of damage. It is also lightweight like aluminum, so it doesn’t overburden your home’s structure.
Galvanized Steel
Last but not least, you can also choose galvanized steel for residential roofing. It involves a steel roof that is dipped into zinc, similar to corrugated roofing. This offers the roof long-term protection against rust and rain, hail, and wind roof damage.
When choosing between the different types of metal roofing, you can consider various factors, such as the budget, life span, appearance, ease of installation, etc. Make sure to take each factor into consideration before you lock in a suitable option.
What are the Pros and Cons of Metal Roofs?
To help you understand why you should consider installing metal roofs on your home, here are some of the pros and cons that you should know about. Let’s have a look at the pros of installing a metal roof on your home.
Pros
• Durability and Long Life: One of the biggest benefits of choosing metal roofing for your home is that it is highly durable, which makes it suitable to protect your home against all kinds of weather, including natural disasters such as hail damage or roof wind damage in which other types of metal roofs often fall off. Another wonderful thing about metal roofing is that it lasts longer than any other type of roof. Generally, you can expect any metal roof to last anywhere between 40 to 100 years, and some credible roofing providers such as Ranger Roofing an Oklahoma City Roofing company, providing you with a long manufacturer’s warranty that spans anywhere between 30 to 50 years.
• Environmentally Friendly: Another benefit of installing a metal roof on your home is that they are much more environmentally friendly, and this makes them a much better option than other materials. Consider asphalt shingles, which are a by-product of petroleum. They are replaced within 10 to 20 years, which means that billions of pounds of shingles end up in landfills every year. On the other hand, metal roofs last a longer time than other roof options, and they are also recyclable, so you will be doing the environment a great favor by installing them.
• Energy Efficiency: When searching for roofing options, a major thing to consider is how much it will contribute to keeping the home cool or warm. This factor has a direct impact on the cooling and heating costs. Since metal roofs are largely reflective, they do a great job of keeping heat away from the house, thus putting less pressure on your air conditioner to keep the home cool. You can actually reduce cooling costs by up to 25% by installing a metal roof on your home.
• Stylish Appearance: Last but not least, metal roofs are also known for their aesthetic appearance, and they can be chosen in different colors, textures, and shapes as well. Therefore, you have a variety of options to choose from.
Cons
• Expensive: One of the biggest disadvantages of having metal roofs on your home is that you will have to spend a large amount of money to install them, and they can be up to ten times more expensive than asphalt shingles or other materials. In addition, since they are comparatively heavier, the labor costs involved in their installation will also be higher.
• Denting: Although metal roofs are much more durable than other materials and are designed to withstand weather damage, they may be dented by falling branches or hailstorms, although these two occurrences are highly unlikely. Still, it is better to consider this before you have to deal with a dented roof.
• Noise Level: Metal roofs can make a lot of noise, especially during a thunderstorm or heavy rainfall. However, this can be dealt with by properly insulating the top of the house before installing metal roofing, or adding multiple layers of sound dampening insulation. However, if you live in an area that experiences a lot of rainfall or hailstorms, then you may have to reconsider installing metal roofs on your home.
How Much Does a New Metal Roof Cost?
As we previously mentioned, installing a metal roof can cost more than any other type of roofing solution, but it also has a lot of advantages.
Since there are many different types of metal roofs as well, the cost can vary drastically, depending on the metal you choose and the size of your roof.
A general estimate installing a metal roof can cost between $5 to $15 per square foot, with the overall installation cost ranging anywhere between $9,545 to $43,819. One of the more affordable types of metal roofs that you can install is corrugated metal roofs, which cost around $1.80 to $2.50 per square foot.
On the other hand, the most expensive type of metal roof is copper roofs, which cost anywhere between $14 and $22 per square foot. The installation costs for metal roofs are also quite high, and you can expect to pay anywhere between $5,000 and $48,000 for it, depending on the size of the roof and the type of material you have chosen.
This brings us to the end of our guide on metal roofs. We hope it will help you make up your mind regarding installing them in your home. Rest assured, once you install any type of metal roof, it would protect your home for generations to come.
