Advantages of Metal Roofing

Is a metal roof right for your home? Hengzesteel helps you uncover the pros and cons of metal roofing and compares metal roofing to other roofing materials to help you make an informed decision.

If you’re in the market for a new roof, the roofing material you choose will make a huge difference in the cost, appearance, performance, maintenance, and durability of your new roof. Asphalt shingles, wood shakes, composite shingles, concrete shingles, metal roofing…all of these options vary greatly.

Here are the pros and cons of metal roofing, comparing it to other materials. Then, after discussing the benefits and cons, we’ll dig deeper into whether metal roofing is right for you.

For a comprehensive look at the many different options for metal roofing, be sure to check out our Ultimate Buying Guide for Metal Roofing

Benefits of Metal Roofing

Metal beats traditional roofing materials in several ways:

Metal roofs last a long time

A properly installed, high-quality metal roof should last 40 to 50 years, waterproofing, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. Metal is fire-resistant, mold-resistant, insect-resistant, and rot-resistant, a property that provides the benefit of longevity.

For comparison, the following list shows a study by the National Association of Home Builders. Be aware that harsh climate conditions, poor workmanship, and damage from severe weather can shorten the expected life of any roof.

Asphalt Shingles – 20 Years
Fiber Cement Shingles – 25 Years
Modified Asphalt Roofing – 20 Years
Wood Shingles and Shakes – 30 Years
Tar and Gravel (Flat Roofs) – 20-25 Years

How long will a metal roof last?

Metal roofs can last up to 50 years, depending on climate conditions, workmanship, or unforeseen damage. Roughly comparable to:

Simulated Slate – 50 years
Real Slate – 50+ years
Clay/Concrete Tile Roofs – 50+ years

Most major metal roof manufacturers back their products for 20 to 50 years. Products with a painted finish typically have a 30-year limited warranty. Materials that use an extremely durable resin-based polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) coating have a 50-year warranty (Kynar® is a trade name for a very popular PVDF coating.)

Metal roofing is light weight

Metal roofing weighs 1 to 3 pounds per square foot, depending on the thickness and profile of the material. It is one of the lightest of all roofing materials. In comparison, here are the typical weights of other roofing materials:

· Conventional asphalt shingles – 2 to 3.5 pounds per square foot
· Textured (architectural) asphalt shingles – from 3.5 to 5 pounds per square foot
· Wood shingles and shakes – from 3.5 to 4.5 pounds per square foot
· Clay or concrete shingles – 5.5 to 10 pounds per square foot

Because metal roofs are lightweight, you can save on engineering and construction of supporting structures. In fact, if you are building a new home or a new addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members because of the metal roof’s light weight.

Metal roofs install quickly

Metal roofing materials are sold in large “standing seam” sheets or multi-shingle sheets that are 12 to 36 inches wide. Standing seam sheets are typically 3 feet wide and 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 feet long. You can also get custom sizes.

A successful contractor can install these very quickly. If your roof is off and a storm is approaching, shaving a day or two off the installation process can be a critical advantage. Obviously, if you can streamline and shorten the duration of a roof installation, there can be significant cost savings as well.

Metal roofs won’t catch fire

Since metal roofing materials are noncombustible, they generally have a Class C fire rating (the most fire-resistant rating). Flying sparks and embers won’t cause them to catch fire.
Just realize that part of the roof’s overall classification depends on the materials beneath the surface, which can also ignite with intense heat. Most metal roofs are applied over combustible materials such as wood shingles, which are rated lower, with a Class C rating for this. (See the note under “Metal Roof Disadvantages,” which are issues in the event of a house fire.)

Metal surfaces reflect heat

Metal reflects radiant heat from the sun, minimizing midday heat gain. This reflective property means less energy is needed for air conditioning during the day. In fact, there are federal rebates available for metal roofs with the proper tinted coating that meet energy requirements. You can get a 10% tax credit up to $500 (not including labor).

Regarding the insulation value of metal roofs in heat and cold: While the material itself falls short in insulating R-value, metal roofs can be applied with foam insulation that has very high R-values. In addition, many systems utilize a stop gap space between the metal surface and the roof deck to minimize heat transfer, increasing energy efficiency.

Our brief recommendations

Most homes today have asphalt fiberglass shingles on their roofs. In fact, four out of five U.S. roofs are asphalt-fiberglass shingles, according to the Asphalt Roof Manufacturers Association (ARMA). As mentioned above, asphalt-fiberglass has become the dominant U.S. roofing material for a number of reasons.
But metal roofing is gaining on asphalt in popularity. According to Building Design + Construction, metal roofing materials have “achieved double-digit market share gains in recent years, while asphalt shingles have seen a slight decline in market share.” Renee Remey, executive director of the Metal Roof Alliance, highlights this growth, “Our research shows that metal roofs are now the second most popular roofing choice for homeowners.”
If your budget can afford the initial cost of a metal roof, and you plan on staying in your home for a long time, metal can prove to be a very solid investment. This is especially true if you live in an area prone to storms or wildfires, and your home’s architecture is suitable for a metal roof. Bottom line: Metal roofing is a very durable, effective, lightweight option that is relatively quick to professionally install.