Think Metal Roof When Upgrading Your Home

As you ponder the different areas of your home in terms of upgrading, with a penchant for adding resale value for the future, perhaps a new roof comes to mind.  And, chances are, if you’re like most homeowners, asphalt shingle, cedar shake, clay tile, slate roofing, wood shingle, or concrete tile probably came to mind. 

And, if you did consider “the other roof type” -- metal -- maybe unpleasant images were conjured up.  Images of an ugly gray mass of tin sitting atop your house -- complete with cacophonous noise during even light shower activity crossed you mind.  “Should I be caught inside my metal-roofed home during a hailstorm,” you’re thinking, “I’d surely wind up with permanent deafness.”  So, you quickly banish those images from your consciousness.

But, guess what?  Metal roofing has come a long way from those days when those images, more or less, reflected reality.  In fact, there are numerous advantages to having a metal roof installed on your home that other roofing types can’t match. To begin with, the old gray tin eyesore is a thing of the past, thankfully. 

Today’s metal roofs are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and designs.  In fact, metal roofs can be made to resemble other roof types, so that, from a distance, it’s impossible to tell the difference.  Whatever your style favorite happens to be – traditional, contemporary, or the antique look, there is a metal roof to match it.  Likewise, to ease your fears concerning that nasty noise issue, its reassuring to know that today’s metal roofs -- when properly installed with solid sheathing -- will damper outside noise as nicely, or better, than other roof types.

And, considering future resale value, statistics show that metal roof-topped homes fetch a resale value anywhere from one percent to six percent higher than comparable homes with more common roofs, in the same area.  Although metal-roofed homes in all areas of the country enjoyed this benefit, the highest appreciation gains have occurred on the East Coast.

To name some of the other benefits metal roofs offer:

• Ease of maintenance – Here there’s no comparison – the metal roof is virtually maintenance-free.  The smooth surface of a metal roof is conducive to easy cleaning.  A simple hosing off from the ground is usually enough.  Likewise, algae and mildew growth isn’t a factor as is the case with other roofs, such as shingle.  The shingle roof’s predilection for absorbing moisture and remaining damp for extended periods often results in algae and other airborne fungus building up and leaving unsightly dark streaks.
• Durability – They aren’t prone to breakdown like other common roofing choices.  They don’t peel, rust, crack or warp.  Metal roofs will typically last 40 to 60 years, and beyond – much longer than most Americans stay in the same home.  Compare that with the 12 to 20 years (if you’re lucky) that you can expect with more standard roofing types.  Metal roofs will remain aesthetically pleasing decade after decade.
• Superior weather-resistant qualities:  Whether your home is located in an area prone to heavy snowfall, wildfire outbreaks, or substantial wind, you can trust your metal roof’s ability to provide awesome protection.  Consider that metal roofs have been shown to withstand wind gusts of 140 miles per hour, surpassing the most stringent building code requirements.  For residents living in climates with the harshest winters, there’s no better choice for roofing.  Metal roofs shed snow quickly, which helps the roof maintain its structural integrity.  And, they also help to prevent ice collecting at the eves, thus, preventing water from collecting under the roof and leaking into the home.
• Warranty – Many metal roofs are guaranteed for a period between 30 and 50 years, on average.
• Insurance – Some carriers will reward you with a reduced premium on your homeowners insurance if your home features a metal roof.
• Lower utility bills – Due their excellent insulation qualities, you’ll very likely see reduced electric heating and cooling costs.  A light-colored metal roof reflects the sun’s UV rays, as well.
• Environmentally friendly – Metal roofs are easy on the environment, especially considering that some 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are discarded into landfills each year, according to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center.   On the other hand, the steel content of the metal roof is 56 percent recyclable.  In addition, the metal roof can be installed over a home’s existing roof, thereby preventing the need to discard the old roofing material.

While it’s true that the cost of installing a metal roof is more substantial than most other roof types, it actually costs less in the long run.  If you live in the same home with a more standardized roof for about 30 years, you can expect to replace your roof twice.  In that scenario, you’d definitely be shelling out a good bit more of the green stuff. 

So, forget those bygone days of gray tin and welcome to the modern world of metal roofs.