Why Metal Roofing is the Best Choice For Your Home: A Comprehensive Comparison Guide

When it comes to roofing options for your home, there are numerous materials to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting solution that can withstand harsh weather conditions and save you money in the long run, metal roofing should be at the top of your list. By the end of this guide, you will understand why many homeowners like you feel metal roofing is the best choice for them. In this guide, we’ll compare the benefits of metal to other popular roofing materials and explore the various types of metal roofing available. From its unmatched durability to its eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, metal roofing has a lot to offer homeowners. So, whether you’re building a new home or replacing an old roof, read on to discover why metal roofing is the smart investment.

An overview of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is commonly used to protect homes, garages, barns, ranches, apartments, townhomes, and commercial buildings. It excels at protecting homes and buildings from damaging elements such as wind, rain, hail, snow, ice, and fire. There are different types of metal roofing materials, including: 

• Copper – A long lasting option that withstands the test of time, developing a beautiful patina over its life. Due to the softness of copper, it is quieter than some other metal roofing options under recipitation. Copper is generally the most expensive metal roofing option. 
• Zinc – Similar to copper in durability and cost, a great option for a custom home. 
• Steel – The most common of metal roofing options, often referred to in the industry as simply “metal roofing” due to its prevalence. Steel roofing is strong, treated to prevent rusting, and the most cost effective choice when it comes to metal roofing. 
• Aluminum – Commonly used in coastal areas to resist the corrosive effects of salt air. 

Most Popular Styles of Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are not merely flat metal sheets. There are many designs, styles, quality, and color options. Choosing a style and design for your home can make a big difference in the appearance. Here are some of the most popular metal roofing styles you see in many of today’s modern homes and buildings.

Exposed Fastener Panels

The vertical seam exposed fastener is made of overlapping panels and fastened directly through the face and onto the roof framing. The exposed fasteners are painted the same color as the roof to camouflage it for better aesthetics. These panels can also be used for walls and placed either vertically or horizontally on the rooftop.

Standing Seam Panels

Standing seam roof systems conceal the fasteners under two vertical legs. It has a flat plank or panel between the two vertical legs measuring around 12 to 18 inches. It is attached to the roof framing using a clip or directly fastened to the deck using a fastener flange. 

Metal Shingle (Simulated Shingle & Cedar) 

For those concerned with house aesthetics and who want a shingle roof for their home, there is a way to blend the durability of metal and still achieve the look of the house they want. Metal shingles look like natural materials but have the same benefits as metal roofing. It is formed with an airspace between the roof deck and the metal shingle to reduce the conductive flow of heat. However, during winter, it may need an additional layer of insulation. 

Metal Shingle (Simulated Slate) 

A simulated slate metal shingle gives the traditional look of a slate roof tile but provides the durability and benefits of a metal roofing material. Traditional slates are not as expensive, but they can be heavy and cause stress on roof structures. A metal slate gives the same shingle look but without the added weight on the house structures. 

Stone Coated (Simulated Conventional Shingles) 

Stone-coated metal shingles give you the look of traditional stone and asphalt shingles, but with the durability of metal roofing material. It eliminates the usual problems with asphalt shingles, such as frequent repairs and replacement due to changing weather conditions. Installation of stone-coated shingles is usually through a concealed fastening system, making the roof look beautiful and seamless. 

Metal Tile (Simulated Tile Roofing)

Simulated metal tile roofing makes it appear like ceramic tile roofing but with the advantages of a metal material. With the right colors and coating, they can look exactly like tiles but are lighter and more durable. Unlike traditional tiles, they put less stress on roof structures, making them a more efficient roofing material. 

Metal Roofing Color Options 

Colors in metal roofing don’t just make the roof look nice; it also provides an added layer of protection depending on the type of coating used. The color of the roof is a personal preference. Some choose a color contrasting to the walls, usually a darker color, to make the roof stand out, especially using shingles or tiles. 

If you’re having trouble picking a roof color, we can help by sending a trained representative to help with a visualization tool to help see what a metal roof would look like. Roof color is a crucial decision and here’s why: 

• It can improve the visual aesthetics of your home’s exterior, making it more visually appealing if you are putting it on the real estate market. 
• Aside from insulation and ventilation, your home’s overall color, including the color of the roof, can help make the home feel more relaxed and cooler. The color of the house, including the roof, can set the ambiance of a home. 

Are you wondering what color will go well with your roof shingles? A white house goes well with any roof color, but most use green, black, grey, or brown. A brown house will go well with a blue, green, or grey roof. 

Generally, dark colors absorb heat, which means if you choose to have dark-colored walls and a roof, your home will absorb more heat during the warm season. However, this depends highly on the house’s ventilation. Some HOA’s require a specific color, so check your local regulations and environmental codes before making any roof color decisions. Local contractors usually know about these, so it is best to schedule a consultation. At Storm Guard, we offer free inspections to help you decide on the best route to your new roofing system. 

Lastly, be mindful of your neighborhood color theme. It is best to stick to the same color hues the neighborhood houses follow. It can be empowering for your home to stand out, but it can be difficult if planning to sell your house in the future. 

Benefits of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is a high-quality material known for its durability and longevity. It does not rot or crack like other materials. It is also highly resistant to fire, moisture, and insects. Metal roofing is made from materials like steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc, each with unique properties, but all known for strength and durability. Metal roofing has a lifespan of up to 50 years or more, making it a smart investment. It can withstand extreme weather conditions, including wind, hail, and heavy rain, and is less likely to leak. Its quality is unmatched by other materials. Below we discuss more of the benefits of choosing metal roofing.

• Longevity: With periodic maintenance and choosing the most suitable roofing material, your roof can last for more than 50 years compared to shingles that only last around 20 years. 
• Durability: Metal roofing is the preferred roofing material for areas with harsh weather conditions. It is ideal for locations frequented by hurricanes because of its ability to resist high winds when installed properly. 
• Easy maintenance: You can do simple roof maintenance such as cleaning the gutters and removing leaves, sticks, and other debris annually or after a weather event. A metal roof is easy to clean with pressure washing to remove moss, dirt, and algae. Major cleaning and  maintenance such as replacing damaged areas, sealing holes, and other maintenance should be done by a professional roofer. 
• Eco-friendly: Metal is one of the most recyclable substances, and roofing materials are 100% recyclable, unlike shingles that end up in landfills. Metal roofing does not need frequent replacement, so it is more environmentally friendly and reduces your carbon footprint.
• Improves home resale experience: A properly installed metal roofing system ensures the next home buyer will have no qualms with the roof, which removes a common point of contention in the selling process. 
• Energy-efficient: Metal roofing reflects and blocks heat away from the home or building, lowering the cost for cooling systems. There are also special coatings available that can increase heat reflection. To better understand the energy efficiency differences between metal and other roofing materials, review the SRI (Solar Reflectance Index) table below. Notice that white, the most solar reflective shingle color available, is barely better than one of the least reflective metal colors available.

• Fire resistant: As a non-combustible material, metal roofing is a great choice for your family’s safety. 
• Lighter material: Metal roofing is more lightweight compared to other materials such as tiles and asphalt. This means less stress and weight on roof structures and building foundations.

The Top Cited Downside to Metal Roofing – Up-Front Cost

Many homeowners know that metal roofing is the most reliable when it comes to durability and longevity. Still, one of the significant drawbacks to switching to a metal roof is the up-front cost. Due to the precise nature of metal roofing installation, a professional installation crew that specializes in metal roofing is highly recommended.

If you need a new roof but don’t have the money on hand to pay for it, you should seek roof payment options with a professional roofing company. At Storm Guard Roofing and Construction, we offer multiple options, and you can pre-qualify in minutes. 

While metal roofing does have a higher up-front cost, the choice is far more cost effective than most other roofing materials when considering some of the benefits mentioned before. 

• Longevity – unless you encounter extreme weather, it will likely be the last roof you purchase. If you purchased a shingle roof today, the next shingle roof you purchase in 15 or 20 years will be comparable to the cost of a metal roof today. Add the two shingle roof costs together and you have spent significantly more on shingles than you would have on one metal roof. 
• Energy efficiency – most homeowners who make the switch to metal see a drop in their summer cooling bills 
• Durability – most insurance companies offer a discount on premiums when a home has a metal roof 
• Low maintenance – maintenance and repairs are required far less frequently, greatly reducing cost 
• Hold value – if you may be selling your home in the future, a metal roof does not depreciate at the same rate as a shingle roof. For example, a 10-year-old shingle roof could give a buyer the opportunity for price negotiation. The below chart illustrates a replacement cost comparison between asphalt and shingles.

Average Cost of Metal Roofing in the U.S.

To give you an overview of a roofing system’s calculated cost, here are some price samples of the total cost of installation of roofing materials per square foot, and you can calculate them according to the total size of your home’s roof. 

• Asphalt: $4.50 per square foot and up 
• Tile: $7.00 per square foot and up 
• Shake: $10.00 per square foot and up 
• Slate: $12.00 per square foot and up 
• Metal: $8.00 per square foot and up

The price difference will depend on the brand, quality, geographic location, and current market value. The price can be off-putting when you compare metal roofing with other materials, but when you think about it in the same way many do when considering purchasing a long-lasting piece of solid wood furniture, the value is clear.

The Bottom Line: Is a Metal Roof Right for You?

In conclusion, metal roofing is the best choice for nearly every home and may be the best choice for your family. Its unmatched durability, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits make it a superior roofing material. Despite a higher up-front cost, its longevity and cost-effectiveness make it a smart investment. If you want a low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly roofing material, choose metal roofing for a high-quality, long-lasting solution.

For further reading on metal roofing, check out this link to information from the Metal Roofing Alliance.