Fall 2016 Home Improvement Magazine

Metal roofing, a growing trend for homes
By Nila Smith

Send a link to a friend  Share

[October 07, 2016]  Old-timers and even some “youngin's” may well-remember seeing metal roofs on the barns. Rain showers in the open rafter buildings produce a sing-songy rhythm not unpleasant to work to in the barn. But when the shower turns to heavy rain, the thunderous roar could bring on a big headache in no time at all, not something home-dwellers would be interested in. In those days, a “tin roof” on a house was not classy!

However, with design and technology what was unthinkable then, has become vogue and stylish today.

Metal roofs on homes

Today's metal roofing products come in a variety of types and colors to fit any home. Materials can be the flat metal, as seen on the barn, or pressed sheets resembling wood shingles, or even stone grit coated sheets that look very similar to the classic asphalt shingle.

Assets for adding metal to your home:

  • According to internet resources, metal is proven to last longer than a standard asphalt shingle and generally will carry a 50-year warranty with an expected lifespan of up to 100 years.
  • Metal roofing is also cooler than asphalt in the summer time.

Sources claim metal does a better job of deflecting heat away from the home, therefore saving on energy costs. Which by the way, depending on the product, many of the commercial metal roof products come with an Energy Star rating, so the buyer can see what the expected savings might be.

Potential drawbacks

  • As with any product, there are pitfalls. Cost is the first big one.

    According to online resources, metal roofing is higher priced than asphalt shingles. However, the cost is often justified based on the fact that a metal roof will last three to four times longer than a standard asphalt roof that will last about 20 years.
     
  • Another issue is storm damage, specifically hail. Metal roofs, like metal cars, can be dented by hail. For some, having a roof that is dimpled like a golf ball may be no big deal, but for others, the fact that their roof is no longer perfect may bring them a lot of anxiety. Before you buy that metal roof, try to figure out which person you are!
     
  • A bigger concern might be panel replacement. Because most of this roofing is installed in large sheets, carefully fitted together to prevent leaking, if one sheet becomes damaged to the point of needing to be replaced, that can be a complicated process.
     
  • And finally, putting a metal roof on a home, if you intend to build on at a later date, may not be the best decision. Because this is a new and trending market, it is also a changing and evolving market. Some sources warn that putting a metal roof on today and trying to find matching pieces ten years from now may not be possible.

According to local realtor Seth Goodman, there are not a lot of metal roof homes in this area yet, but he does say they are trending in larger cities. If that is the case, then there is a good chance that they will become more popular in more rural locations such as Logan County.

Goodman says he has talked to a few people who have the metal roofing, and for the most part they do like it. He said that he is told that in a rain storm, the metal roofing does tend to still be a bit louder than conventional shingles, but it also depends on how the roof was installed. There are products and installation processes that will dampen the noise if the homeowner makes the right investment.

Asked if the metal roofing would increase the value of the home at resale, Goodman said probably not all that much. But at the same time, he noted that any newer roof on a home would make a difference in the selling price, “I do not feel that a buyer is necessarily willing to pay more as roofs are often deemed to be a typical maintenance item of a home. I think a seller can, however, expect a stronger offer with a metal (or newer roof) and potentially a quicker sale.”

[to top of second column

Ashley Collins of Collins Roofing in Atlanta says that the metal roofing is growing in popularity in this area. She noted that Collins Roofing had seen an increase in interest in the roofing over the past two years.

Collins noted that the metal roofing is somewhat more expensive than a typical asphalt roof, but she feels the longevity of the metal roof will make the increased cost affordable for the long-term homeowner.

Collins is also excited about the variety available in the metal roofing market. She noted, “It’s not the old barn roof that you think about. Some of these roofs are really beautiful, and I wouldn’t mind having one on my own home!”

Collins added that the customers they have had thus far have been very happy with their metal roofs. With a noise buffering system, she said the rumor that the roofs are loud is a little over exaggerated. She said she doesn’t feel the metal roofs are any louder in a heavy rain storm than the conventional roofing.

One selling point of the metal roofing is the reduction of cost of homeowner insurance. But, in this area, don’t bank on paying for the extra cost for metal roofing in the insurance savings alone.

According to Rachel Lessen of Lincoln Logan May Insurance in Lincoln, discounts for metal roofing do exist, but in this region, those discounts are about 5 to 10 percent. So for a $1,000 insurance policy, the savings is going to be $50 to $100 per year.

Lessen also noted that not a lot of insurance companies are offering this discount to date. As an Independent Insurance Agency, Lincoln Logan May offers a number of homeowner’s policies, but only a couple of those offer the discount. On the flip side, she says it does seem to be something that is trending forward, and she can imagine that as time goes on, more insurance companies will include a discount for metal roofing.

So, in trying to avoid the money pit, is metal roofing a good investment? That is a question the consumer will have to answer for him/herself, but the bottom line is, over the long-haul, yes, it could be worthwhile. The real question to ask yourself is, do you have time to wait for the return on your investment? If you are living in your life-long home, you may have that time, but if you’re in your starter home, and know you’re going to move on someday, you might just want to stick with that 20-year shingle!

[Nila Smith]

 

Read all the articles in our new
Fall 2016 Home Improvement Magazine

Title
CLICK ON TITLES TO GO TO PAGES
Page
Coping with home improvement nightmares 4
Renovations:  Communications with your contractor 5
Keeping the project within the budget 7
Renovating the master bathroom 10
10 DIY Projects to tame the money-pit
By Mr. Know It All
13
Is the internet really a good resource for home fist-it information? 18
Stayin' out of trouble with the law! 21
Horror stories from the building inspector 24
Metal roofing:  Are there benefits? 26
How to stay married while doing a major renovation 30

< Recent features

Back to top