Frequently Asked Questions about Metal Roofing:

Does a metal roof cost more than a typical roof? Because metal roofing is a premium home product, you can expect your new roof to cost roughly twice what an asphalt shingle roof costs initially. However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less. Most metal roofs come with a true 20 to 30 year warranty. PLUS your new metal roof will add to the resale value of your home, save money on your energy bills and give you peace of mind that you'll likely never have to re-roof again.

How much longer will a metal roof last than common roofing like asphalt or wood shingle? You can expect a metal roof to last at least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond. The average life span of an asphalt roof is 12 to 20 years. That life span can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose. Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingles and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates. All of these roofing materials are well-outlasted by metal roofing, which retains its good looks and durability decade after decade.

Is metal roofing noisier in bad weather than asphalt, cedar shake, tile and slate roofing? When installed with solid sheathing, a metal roof on your home will silence noise from rain, hail and bad weather as well (if not better) than any other roofing material.

How well does a metal roof stand up to extreme weather? A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hailstorms, and even wildfires. Metal roofing as a 120-mph wind rating, meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour - equal to an F2 tornado. Under high wind conditions, says architect Jim Mitchell, "Metal roofing systems have wind resistance and uplift resistance that is above the new building code requirement. That gives us a sense of relief in that we can use the best material to meet those criteria." In locations that see heavy snow, metal roofing has been the choice of homeowners for years. It sheds snow fast, which protects the structural integrity of the roof. And it can eliminated ice damming at the eves, so water can't back up and collect under the roof, then leak into your home. If you live in a part of the country that is prone to wildfires, metal roofing can protect your home should burning embers land on your roof.

Is a metal roof environmentally friendly? Not only is a metal roofing great for your home, it's great for the environment. The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 56% from production to installation to reuse - far superior to asphalt. According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. Load that amount in 40,000 pound trailers and line the trailers up end to end, they would reach from New York city to Los Angeles, back to New York city and on to Chicago. That's a lot of wasted asphalt. Because a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without removing what's already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive shingle waste. Wood a metal roof be too heavy for certain types of homes, or for smaller structures like a detached garage or porch? You'll be surprised to learn that a metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. With metal roofing, weight on a structure is never an issue!