Metal roofs have been gaining popularity as material for roof repairs and replacements.
There are definite advantages to using metal for your next roof. But there are also drawbacks to going this route for roof repairs.
Here are some of the pros and cons to metal roofs.
Pro: Metal roofs last a long time
If you want to go a long time between roof repairs, a metal roof may be for you.
According to Realtor.com, metal roofs can last 50 years or longer.
“‘Rubber and asphalt shingles are fine for 15 to 20 years, but they’ll deteriorate over time, due to weather, wind, heat, insects, and rodents,’ says Cedric Stewart, a real estate agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties in Washington, DC. And metal won’t corrode, crack, or catch sparks and ignite into flames from a lightning strike,” according to Realtor.com
Pro: Metal roofs are lightweight
Metal roofs are lighter than comparable high-quality tile and concrete tile.
“Because of the material’s light weight, you can save on engineering and building the supporting structure. In fact, if you’re building a house or an addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members,” according to HomeTips.com.
Con: Metal roofs are more expensive
Metal roofs are more expensive than options such as asphalt shingles.
“The biggest drawback is initial cost. Metal roofing is equivalent in cost to other premium materials—from about $150 to $600 per square (100 square feet). Because of the material’s long-term durability, the trick is that you ultimately save the difference (and more) if you stay in the house for a long time and, of course, you save on seasonal maintenance. Then again, if you plan to move in a couple of years, you probably won’t get the return on your investment,” according to Hometips.com.
Con or Pro: Noise
For some people, rain tapping on a metal roof is a wonderful sound. Others feel like they’re inside an oil drum that’s being pounded on by a hammer.
If you’re one of the second type of person, there are ways to mitigate the noise. But they will add to the cost of your roof repairs.