Getting a new roof is a major ordeal. Whether you’re constructing a brand new building or replacing the top of something that has been around for a while, the roof is vital. It has to be able to hold up to weather, last for decades, and somehow come in at a price that is affordable. You have a lot of options, but you might be overlooking one of the best roofing materials out there: metal roofing. Let’s look at the pros and cons of metal and see whether it could be perfect for your new roof.
Pros
Let’s start with the good. Metal roofing has a lot to offer that stands head and shoulders above any other roofing material. There’s a reason it’s common in commercial real estate. These pros are often invaluable, and they should at least be considered for all roofs.
Durability
Roofing is expected to last a long time. It’s a vital part of any building, and if it gets compromised, massive damage to the interior can follow. That’s why typical roofs are expected to last more than 20 years, and roofing warranties will often reflect that.
Metal raises the bar. The expected lifespan of a metal roof is 40 to 70 years. With this durability, metal roofing holds up better against extreme weather, sun damage, and all of the other sources of wear and tear.
Environmental Impact
Metal roofing is better than asphalt shingles when talking about environmental impact. One of the main reasons is that shingles use petroleum-based tar in their construction and installation. While that’s great for sealing the roof, it’s not great for the environment. Metal roofs don’t need any petroleum products. That lowers their environmental impact.
Combine that with the longevity of the materials, and metal roofing is much, much cleaner, but that’s still not the end of the story.
Metal roofing is also more energy efficient. The reflective nature of the metal helps keep buildings cool in the summer. The metal also has better thermal properties, so even in cold environments, it’s more efficient.
Safety
Metal is safer than other roofing materials for a number of reasons. The strength of the material helps it resist damage very well. Perhaps more importantly, metal doesn’t burn. This makes it safer against lightning strikes, wildfires, and any other source of burning. In areas where wildfires are a higher risk, metal roofing can be one of the best defenses available.
Cons
Everything has a downside. The downsides of metal roofing are limited in number, but they are important to understand and consider. Any one of these cons might be enough to convince you that metal isn’t the right choice for your home or business.
Price
It’s the most obvious con for a metal roof. All of those benefits come at a cost. Metal roofing can get as high as $900 for 100 square feet. Now, that’s at the high end of metal roofing. You can definitely find lower prices, but asphalt shingles never come close to that price. Low-end metal roofing is going to start at the high end of asphalt prices.
Keep in mind that this con is referring to upfront costs. In the long run, metal roofing can ultimately save money by improving durability and extending the lifespan of your roof.
Denting
There are many roofing materials that can dent. It’s not desirable with any of them, but with metal, the dents are a bigger problem. It’s not that metal is more prone to denting. Instead, the issue is that dents in metal can be a greater challenge than with asphalt shingles.
When metal dents, it is prone to developing a hole or fissure. You can see why this is a problem with roofing. When exposed to hail or other impacts (like tree branches), metal is at risk of developing small leaks. Because of the nature of metal roofing, these can be more difficult to repair than other roofing options.
Noise
This is probably the largest downside to choosing metal. It’s the noisiest roof option by a long shot. When it rains, you’re going to hear it for sure. Hail and severe weather will be even louder. That can be a problem when you’re trying to sleep through a 3:00 a.m. rainstorm.
The good news is that there are noise-reducing installation options for metal roofing. You can have a silencing layer installed underneath the metal that is very effective. The downside is that it’s going to raise the cost of the roof.
Is a metal roof right for you? This list of pros and cons might not be enough to make a final decision. You can contact Bert Roofing Inc. if you want to explore your options more deeply. We can offer expert advice that will lead to you getting the best price and most value for your new roof.