House Metal Roofing 101: Pros And Cons

Perhaps you have long thought about installing metal roofing for your house. Metal is becoming increasingly popular and attracts the attention of everyone who plans to change the roof. The house metal roofing is strong enough, moisture- and ignition-resistant. In addition, a metal roof has a lot of other advantages. Due to its rich functionality, more and more people continue to choose it.

However, nothing is perfect. You should know the disadvantages of metal roofs and features that you should pay attention to in time. Each house owner has ideas about the perfect roof and his requirements for it.

Getting a good overview of metal roofs and understanding what types of this material exist for roofs is essential. This article will help you learn more about metal roofing and consider its pros and cons.

Advantages Of House Metal Roofing

It is necessary to start with the fact that the metal wins compared to other materials from which the roof is made. A metal roof has a lot of advantages and is recommended for use. Before you buy material for the roof, you should understand what you expect from it. Perhaps the roof’s strength is not so important to you since there are no strong winds and storms in your area. At the same time, fire resistance and price play a key role. Every homeowner has their preferences. I have prepared a whole list of metal roof pros for you. Read our opinions and determine which points are most important to you.

1. Material Durability

It is the first thing to start with. The main advantage of this material for roofing is its durability. Such a roof can serve up to 50 years, even with frequent rains and winds. The metal is resistant to fires, mold, and decay, significantly extending its service life. Harsh climatic conditions can significantly reduce the life of any roofing material, but under equal conditions, a metal roof will last longer than others. Companies give about 20-50 years of warranty for a metal roofing of a house. There are options for metal roofs with a solid PVDF coating made from resin. For such roofs, manufacturers give about 50 years of warranty. Therefore, summing up the first attraction of metal roofs, we can say that they are popular precisely because of their durability.

2. Light Weight

It is the next advantage of metal roofs. If we talk about the exact weight of a metal roof, it will be about 1-3 pounds per square foot. Therefore, it is safe to say that this is the lightest roofing material. Due to the lightness of the material, you can save some money. That is, you don’t have to spend too much money to buy a lot of roof support because metal roofs are lightweight and don’t require a lot of support. 

3. Quick Installation

If you go to a hardware store, you will notice that metal material for roofing a house comes from large sheets of several lengths. However, you can order a sheet of the sizes you specify. If you want to hire a roof installer, they can quickly install a metal roof for you. Besides the fact that you will get the roof of the house much faster, you can also save a lot by choosing the metal version of the material. It is because you will be charged less money by significantly reducing the amount of work.

4. Fire Protection

Metal coatings are not flammable. They are the most fire-resistant materials of all possible options. And it’s also one of the essential metal roof benefits. However, it would help if you understood that fire resistance depends on the materials under the roof. But not every material that goes underneath is fire resistant. Therefore, cases often occur when a metal roof is installed on combustible material, such as wooden tiles. In this case, it is possible to ignite the lower part of the roof, which is made of poor-quality material.

6. Heat Reflection

Among the properties of the metal, one can note the ability to reflect the sun’s rays, preventing the roof from overheating. It is good news for homeowners as they can save money by reducing the need for air conditioning. It is also worth noting the insulating properties of the roof made of metal. The material has a low level of P-insulation so that it can be applied to foam insulation. Foam insulation has very high insulation P-values. In addition, dead air space is often used, which is located between the metal surface and the lower part of the roof. It can significantly reduce heat transfer and increase energy efficiency. Therefore, this fact about the metal roof can be one of the main advantages.

7. Can Be Installed On Low-pitched Roofs

Many metal roof companies provide material that can be installed on flat roofs without leaking. For a metal roof, the minimum required slope is 3 out of 12. To understand the advantage of a metal roof in this case, it is worth saying that other roof materials need a greater slope. So, bituminous or roofing shingles are not used for roofs with a slope of less than 3 out of 12. At the same time, shingles require a minimum of 4 out of 12.

8. Moisture-proof

Selecting a metal roof has other advantages, like moisture protection. Metal roof panels adhere securely to each other, making the surface hard and slippery. All this helps to protect the house from rain and snow.

9. Environmental Safety

Unlike steel roofs, asphalt roofs are made from oil and fuel, which is not environmentally friendly. And roofs made of asphalt need to be replaced every 15 years. The Metal Roofing Alliance says about 20 billion pounds of asphalt material are in landfills yearly. Therefore, metal roofs again outperform other options in terms of environmental safety.

10. Strong Wind Resistance

A metal roof can withstand even tornadoes or hurricanes, which is one of the advantages of picking this material. It was found that such a roof can withstand winds of about 140 miles per hour. These figures speak of a tornado. At the same time, metal roofing can stay in place and protect the house from damage by heavy objects. If you want to create the maximum level of wind protection for your roof, secure the roof well with fasteners or clamps. In this case, the wind will not be able to get under the roof and damage it.

Disadvantages Of House Metal Roofing

We have discussed several advantages of metal roofs, but it is also worth discussing a few possible disadvantages. Some people looking for roof materials may not notice these shortcomings. It is because these facts do not matter to them. However, it would be best to weigh all sides of this choice to buy what you need. So, let’s take a closer look at the disadvantages of metal roofs.

1. Noisiness

A metal roof will make more noise when compared to a slate or tile roof. It can be especially noticeable in heavy rain or hail. However, even considering this fact, it is worth saying that the noise will not be too loud. To avoid excessive metal roof noise, you can use high-quality materials to desensitize the roof. So, you can lay the metal part of the roof on sound-absorbing material and make the sheathing out of solid plywood. If you have an attic between the roof and the room, you will also be saved from roof noise during rain.

2. High Price

Yes, one of the nuances of a metal roof is the high price of the material. Considering this fact, some people notice this point as one of the main disadvantages of metal roofs. So, a metal roof costs you about $150 to $600 per square. There is a noticeable difference between the prices for a finished roof made of metal and other materials. However, looking at other high-quality roofing materials, you will also notice relatively high prices.

When choosing a metal roof, it is worth considering an important nuance: a metal roof can last up to 50 years. And this means that by choosing a metal material for the roof, you will save a lot of money. If you choose a cheaper material that lasts much less, you must change it often. In this case, the metal roof wins. So, pay attention not to the initial cost but to the ratio of the service life of the materials. If you choose a cheaper option, you may soon have to change it. By changing the material for the roof several times over five decades, you will lose more money than if you initially bought a more durable option. So, these disadvantages of metal roofs can not be as apparent as one might think at first sight.

How To Understand If House Metal Roofing Is Expensive

There is universal advice that will help you figure out what material to choose for the roof:

1. Sum up all the money you plan to invest in your roof, including the purchase of material and the work of metal roofing of the house;
2. Divide this amount by the years you want your roof to last. By completing this action, you will receive the cost of your roof per year;
3. Evaluate the calculation results and decide if the selected option suits you.

3. Chance Of Roof Deformation

On the metal roof, there may be traces of the fall of large objects. It is especially worth paying attention to those who live in regions with frequent hail and storms. So, in Texas, you can often encounter hail that reaches the size of a golf ball. From hitting by such hail, your metal roof may be slightly deformed. Roofs made of soft metals such as copper or aluminum are often prone to deformation. However, this is not a reason to abandon the metal roof. You can choose a material that is less prone to deformation. For example, focus on metal tiles, a metal roof with a pattern, or a ribbed structure. Also, specify 24 or 26-gauge steel when picking up the material for the roof. This gauge will help you maximize the strength of your roof.

4. Bends Under The Weight Of A Person

Although the owner of the house is unlikely to need to often walk on the roof unnecessarily, still consider this fact. If your roof leaks and needs to be examined, or if a chimney sweep needs access to a chimney, a metal roof may warp slightly. Therefore, be extremely careful walking on the roof during its repair. Also, remember that the metal roof can be pretty slippery, so control yourself so as not to fall off the roof. When installing the roof, also be careful not to dent or scratch it. Some roof tile systems are installed from the top down to save roof owners and repairers the hassle of walking on them. 

5. Complex Roof Modifications

It can be tricky if you need to replace the metal roofing of the house that comes in large panels. For example, changing individual shingles is faster and easier. Also, if you want to redo the roof in a few decades, you may find it challenging to find a material that looks like yours.

6. Difficult Installation Process

To make metal roofing for your house, you will need to invite professional roofers. Such people are specially trained in installing roofs, including metal ones. And here, it must be said that not many roofers were explicitly instructed to work with metal roofs. That is, you may find it challenging to find a roofer who is trained and experienced in metal roofing. Performing this work by people without experience will not work since this work requires specific skills. If a metal roof is installed incorrectly, you may experience condensation under it or the roof leaking.

Several necessary words about making a metal roofing of a house should be said. Let’s consider them:

• If you buy roof panels with an open type of fastening, you will need to approach the installation of the roof even more responsibly. Due to improper installation of fasteners, rainwater can get into the screw holes and cause the water inside the house. If you give preference to this type of roof, you will need to control the full compliance with the instructions;
• Try asking your friends to find a professional roofer to help you;
• Perhaps someone from your environment has a similar roof installed, and the contacts can advise you of a specialist who has done metal roofing for the house. It is also worth looking for employees on sites such as Yelp, HomeAdvisor, or Networx. Read customer reviews of these roofers and see photos of their completed work.

7. Impenetrable For Firefighters

I have already said that one can single out its resistance to fire among the advantages of a metal roof. We should say that the metal roofing of a house is protected from fires from the outside. A flying spark will not ignite, but a fire can start in the house’s interior. In such a situation, firefighters are forced to cut through the roof to flood the flames with water. It can be a disadvantage, as cutting through the roof can take time, which is valuable when putting out a fire.

What Metal Is More Suitable For Your Roof

I have already mentioned that metal is a good selection for roofing your house. However, metal includes several varieties. Depending on the selected type of this metal, you will be oriented in price and will be able to understand how long your roof will last. I have prepared a comparison table of the different types of metal you can choose for your roof. Determine what exactly you expect from your roof and whether you can accept any disadvantages of one or another option.

Metal type	Lifespan	Cost (per square foot)	Peculiarities
Steel	30-50 years	$3.35-$4.50	This option is not expensive but is one of the most durable materials. On the other hand, it has a short lifespan.
Aluminum	30-50 years	$3.25-$5.75	It’s a more expensive variant, but it won’t rust, unlike steel.
Copper	Up 200 years	$14-$22	It has a high price, but copper can last for several centuries.
Zinc	Up to 100 years	$5.65-$11	It’s not the most robust option, but it’s a suitable copper replacement for those on a tight budget.

Bottom Line

Thus, we have discussed metal roofing and its pros and cons. We also compared the different types of metal from which you can find roofs for houses. With my guide’s help, I hope you can pick the most suitable option. The main thing you need to do is to decide on specific expectations from the material and requirements for it. After that, it will be much easier for you to choose the suitable variant for you.

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