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 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.”
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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]
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