Metal Roofing: Everything You Need to Know

Designer Lisa Furey explains, "Metal roofs offer many benefits, including:
Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material.
Durability. Some metal roofs can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour, will not corrode or crack, and may be impact-resistant (depending on which metal you choose). In addition, metal roofs don't need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required.
Safety. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike.
Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-25%.
Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs not only have 25-95% recycled content, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life as a roof."

"Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials," says Lisa Furey. "While the life of a metal roof is much longer, investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits."

"While you can choose from tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel, metal roofs can be noisy, especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm. Adding more insulation during installation usually solves this problem, but that may increase costs," explains designer Lisa Furey. "If a repair is required or a home extension is added years later, it may be difficult to find an exact match to the existing metal," says Lisa.

"We use metal roofs on the majority of our residential projects. Metal roofs are very durable and long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing and suitable for low-slope conditions. They easily shed debris such as pine needles and leaves. In snow country, the metal roofs allow snow to slide off fairly quickly," says Nils Finne of FINNE Architects.