Is A Metal Roof More Expensive Than Shingles

Water Heat And Environment

Metal Roofing

In general, metal roofing is said to be cooler in warm climates, due to the fact that the metal will reflect most of the sunlight and heat that beats down on the top of a structure. Be wary, thoughthe same effect can make homes built in colder climates a bit more expensive to heat.

Homeowners with metal roofs tend to report fewer issues with accumulated snow and precipitation . The environmental impact of manufacturing metal roof products is comparable to the same measurements on the production of asphalt shingles.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingled homes tend to be warmer overall, costing their owners a bit more in the summer and in warmer climates when it comes to keeping the structure cool, but saving homeowners in colder climates on their heating costs.

Between metal and shingle options, shingled roofs tend to deal with more issues related to accumulated snow and precipitation. There is little to no difference in the environmental impacts caused by manufacturing roofing products out of metal versus asphalt shingle materials.

Shingles Vs Metal Roof Cost: Is Metal Roofing Cheaper Than Shingles

Metal | Roofing | Homeowner Education | roof

Whether you’re building or remodeling your dream home or you have an old roof that needs to be replaced, it’s time to decide on what type of roofing system to install. It will be the focal point of your house and you really need something that will make your roof “pop”. Metal roofing looks modern and stylish and has hundreds of color options. It looked like a great option until you realized it cost about twice as much as an asphalt roof. You’re probably wondering, is the price of a metal roof worth it?

On the other hand, asphalt shingles will save you quite a bit of money, but they look like asphalt shingles. Nowadays, they are available in different colors, but they just don’t make a statement like metal does. They cost half as much, but don’t last as long as metal panels. Are you wondering, is the upfront savings worth the reduced lifespan of the roof?

Purchasing a new metal roof will cost you $15,000 to 40,000. Going back to the question posed before: is metal roofing worth it? It turns out this question was a little harder to answer than I anticipated. If I turned to the trusty internet the answer is a clear “yes”.

• How long do I plan on living at my house?
• What’s my budget?
• Do I care more about initial savings or long term savings?
• Do I value the look of metal enough to justify the initial savings of asphalt shingles

What Do You Want From Your Roof

In summary, both metal roofing and asphalt shingles are popular and have their advantages.

For shingles, the advantages are price and low installation costs. While those are certainly valid considerations, both of those attributes are short-term. Conversely, metal roofing is well known for providing long-term value, exceptional performance, and a solid return on investment.

It all boils down to what you want. If low-cost today is your only criteria , then a shingle roof will be your best option. If, however, youre more interested in a roof that does the following, then metal roofing could be a serious consideration in your roof replacement journey:

• Lasts for decades
• Increases the curb appeal of your home
• Requires less maintenance
• Increases the value of your home

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Are Metal Roofs More Expensive

According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, you can expect your new roof to cost roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs. Metal roofing installation is more expensive compared to other roofing systems, because it requires special training, knowledge, tools and equipment. Installation costs are impacted by complexity of the roof, things like slope and rooflines play a role in the overall installation cost.

Your metal choice can also affect the price. Copper is typically the most cost prohibitive, so its often used for architectural details/accents think bay windows, porches, or low slope sections instead of a whole roof.

Although the materials and installation of metal roofs are expensive, there are benefits to the price. They typically come with a longer warranty, 30 to 50 years, and need to be replaced less often. They even keep your home cooler.

Asphalt Shingle Roofs Generally Are Easier To Install And Repair

The installation process is an important parameter for some homeowners who are on strict timelines. If you want a quick roof installed, shingles are the choice for you. They can be installed in a day or two. In some cases, they can also be installed on an existing layer. Metal roofing on the other hand takes more time because of the specialized installation system. However, there are some lightweight varieties of metal roofs that can be installed right over an existing roof and that may take lesser time. If you have to replace metal roofs, that may be a longer and more complex process because of the way the panels are attached.

The pros of metal roofs often overpower their cons making it an obvious choice for homeowners. However, it is advised to take advice from a professional for your particular home. Now that you know various distinguishing qualities of metal roofs vs shingles, its time to choose the right company to get a hassle-free installation.

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Metal Roof Prices By Type

On average, metal roofing prices range from $3 to $8 per square foot with the average homeowner spending about $5 per square foot. Apart from zinc and copper roofing, your metal roof cost can end up comparable to the cost of asphalt roofing if you spread the cost out over the lifecycle of the roof. The types of metal roofing systems vary greatly. Here are the average prices by type:

Metal Roof Prices By Type

Standing Seam Vs Exposed Fasteners

If you decide to go with a metal roof, the next choice presented is likely standing seam vs exposed fastener. Standing seam roofs typically cost 15-20% more than exposed fasteners due to a slightly more complicated installation process. The advantage, however, is that you dont have to worry about the fasteners or washers allowing water intrusion over time.

Several metal roofing pros have told us that you can expect to have to perform maintenance on the exposed fasteners after about 10-12 years. On occasion, you may need to completely replace all of the fasteners. This particularly occurs in the South, but may also be the same up north due to colder extremes.

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Resale Value Of A Metal Roof

One of the greatest long term advantages of a metal roof is that it boasts a very high return on investment. Across the US, you can get at least 90% ROI when you resell a house with a metal roof. However, in areas with snow and ice dams, as well as fires and high winds, the ROI of a metal roof can be as high as 95-97%

Compared to asphalt shingles, a metal roof can boost your home value by as much as 5-6%. Most homeowners dont like to deal with roofing problems, and are more willing to buy home where their roof will last for decades to come without any leaks.

Galvanized Steel Shingles Roof Cost

Galvanized Steel Shingles cost $3 to $3.50 per square foot and start at $7.50 per square foot installed for interlocking steel shingles. The two common types of galvanized steel used in roofing are G-60, which is a low-end product used for roofing on garden sheds or workshops, and G-90, which is used for residential roofing applications. During the manufacturing stage, the metal is treated with a thin coat of zinc oxide and painted with a resin-based architectural coating called Kynar 500 to preserve the finish.

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Factors That Impact Roofing Costs

When installing a roof, there are various other factors that play into the price. Some factors you should consider are:

• Accessibility: If your roof is difficult to access, has power lines nearby or tree branches, the rate to install or replace it will increase.
• Type of home: The taller your house is, the more expensive it will be because of the danger involved with the height.
• Structural issues: If the framework is damaged, you’ll pay additional charges to have it repaired before installation proceeds.
• Permits and licenses: The cost to obtain permits and the proper licenses could play into the total price of your installation.
• Location: Labor rates vary greatly across the United States.
• Re-Roofing vs. Replacement: In some cases, you can install new shingles over the old ones. This is known as re-roofing and is often less expensive. However, this method may be too heavy for the decking structure.
• Warranties: Manufacturer’s warranties cover defects in the materials and contractor’s warranties cover installation problems. Read each of them carefully to learn what’s covered and what isn’t.
• Gutters and Flashing: Replacing gutters and flashing will cost you more up front, but is often less expensive than having them installed as separate projects.

Metal Roof Material Costs

The type of metal used for the install is the main cost factor after labor. The price of metal ranges from an average per square foot price of $1.60 for Galvalume to $22.50 for copper. Contractors will factor in the heaviness of the metal usedits harder to work with heavy materials that dont cut easily.

The secondary most significant cost is underlayment which will add $30 to $50 to the cost of materials. You may be offered upgrade options for the underlayment, with prices between $4 to $5.50 per square foot installed, or $1 to $3 for felt. Items like fasteners, screws, rivets, clamps or clips, plywood or roof deck materials, flashings or pipe boots, sealants or butyl tape are essential components of your installation.

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Metal Roof Vs Shingles In Cold Climates

If you experience cold temperatures in your local area, comfort and energy savings are essential, especially in the winter. Asphalt shingles tend to absorb heat from the sunlight and transfer it inside your home. As a result, your heating system may not have to work as hard to provide a comfortable indoor temperature, and you can save money on your utility bills.

However, in most cases, a metal roof can warm up your indoor living space more effectively than asphalt shingles. Since metal is a natural conductor, it can easily absorb sunlight and convert it into heat that makes your home comfortable in the winter. The sheathing that goes under this roofing material has insulating properties that keep the absorbed heat contained. Besides absorbing heat, metal roofs can also withstand snow and ice without suffering from moisture damage.

Using Galvalume As A Roofing Material

Galvalume® and standard galvanized metal roofs both involve a coating applied to a steel core. Bethlehem Steel, where my father worked for 27 years, first introduced the Galvalume coating to the construction industry in the early 1970s. Galvalume combines steel, aluminum, and zinc. Basically, a carbon steel base sheet is continuously hot-dipped with aluminum and zinc alloys until it reaches a coating consisting of 55% aluminum, 43.4% zinc, and 1.6% silicone. Its become one of the most popular materials used in roofing.

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Average New Metal Roof Costs In Us:

At face value, a metal shingles roof is significantly more expensive than traditional asphalt shingles.

On a 2, 000 sq.ft. roof, you can install basic asphalt shingles for as low as $4,000 5,000, and a fancier asphalt shingles roof will cost you $9, 000 12, 000.

For the same size roof, the cost of metal shingles starts at $11,000 14,000.

However, compared to asphalt roofing, metal is the MOST cost effective option, because it has at least 2-4 times the longevity of asphalt.

This means that someone who has a classic 3-tab shingle roof will need to do another re-roof 2-4 times, while metal roofing will remain intact.

Over the years, the total cost of these additional replacements will actually be higher than the initial cost of a metal roof.

When comparing the two materials, you also need to consider weather resistance.

Metal roofing is designed to protect your home pretty much under any weather conditions: from hail and fire to rain and ice dams.

This is not the case with asphalt roof shingles: while they do well in mild climates, they are prone to leaks and all sorts of damage from severe weather.

What Are Impact Resistant Roofs

Impact resistant roofs are designed to withstand windstorms and hail. They are referred to as hail resistant roofs and will require less repairs and will last longer. A metal roof is a class 4 hail resistant roof. This means that the roof was tested by Underwriters Laboratories and has a UL 2218 impact rating.

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So Should You Get A Metal Roof Or Asphalt Shingle

Only you know if its a great choice for your housing style or your region, but we think theres a case for metal roofs in nearly every town in North America.

If youre planning on selling your home in the next five to 10 years, youll make up to 6% more on resale value with a metal roof versus an asphalt roof. Granted, if youre in a windstorm or wildfire region, your roof needs to stay intact that long for that to compute, but having a metal roof is a great step in that direction.

But all we can say about metal roofs and their cost effectiveness is that you really do get what you pay for. With pro installation, a high-quality metal roof is conceivably expected to last over 60 years Thats 35 to 60 years of reduced energy costs, potential energy savings, and low maintenance. You can bet that adds up, too.

Metal Roof Paint Finish Quality

After you pick the color, then you need to decide on the finish.

The paint finish quality on the metal roof that you choose will help your roof stand up to the elements and look great through major weather events, so making that choice is an important part of the metal roof replacement process.

Accordingly, different types of paint finishes offer varying levels of durability, resale value, initial costs, and subjective aesthetic appeal.

There are two different types of paint finishes typically used on metal roofing: PVDF and polyester.

PVDF or polyvinylidene fluoride is usually referred to commercially as Kynar or Hylar, which are popular due to their ability to resist UV rays and the subsequent fading and associated problems.

Polyester is not rated as well in regard to its ability to withstand the suns impact or other weather-related issues, so PVDF is becoming an increasingly popular choice for property owners.

The paint finish quality of your metal roof also affects the longevity of the roof, since paint fading and therefore reducing the efficiency of UV protection of your metal roof can reduce the value.

Keep in mind that it may be possible to repaint or refinish the roof in the future, depending on the base roofing material.

Your roofing contractor will be able to advise as to what colors would work best for your property as well as the finishes and type of paint that should be used for the best results.

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Pros And Cons Of A Metal Roof House

Metal roofs are one of the most common types of roofs in the world. While asphalt shingles still remain more popular than metal roofs, dont be surprised if metal roof houses surpass them in popularity soon.

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Metal roofs offer more benefits than disadvantages. They go well with any design style and have an array of pros well talk more about later. First, lets go over the history of metal roofs quite briefly.

Pros Of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing offers a huge array of color and style variations, enough to complement any home. There are products available to imitate non-metal materials, such as tile, panels even wood and asphalt.

Metal roofing tends to be light and easy to work with. Plus, its energy efficient, particularly in reducing energy consumption during the hot summer months, and made from recycled materials. Metal roofing can also last anywhere from 40 to 70 years.

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Can You Put A Metal Roof On Top Of Shingles

Since most metal roofing is light, pliable and thin, it’s usually possible to put these panels on top of your existing shingles. Both the shingles and underlayment should be in good condition so you don’t have to replace your whole structure for at least a couple of decades.

You may want to consult a professional in the roofing industry to inspect the top of your house and determine the quality of your existing shingles. It’s also helpful to consider what local regulations require for your roof. In general, most states allow you to have a maximum of two or three layers on top of your house, so if you’ve already had this done, you’d need to remove the existing layers before installing your new roof.

Additional Costs Associated With A Metal Roof

An additional cost you may incur that is not reflected in the quote would be the removing and disposing of old shingles if replacing them with more asphalt shingles. Since metal can be installed on top of an asphalt shingle roof , youll save labor and disposing costs, but keep in mind you will have to buy and install wood purlins to provide an even base for the metal panels. So the cost might still be a wash.

If the project is new construction, such as an addition or new garage, metal is a big winner because an asphalt shingle roof would require a plywood base.

Also, the cost will be affected by the complexity of the roof. If it is a simple roof with few or no valleys, metal panels may be significantly cheaper and faster to install than asphalt shingles . But if the roof is more complex with several valleys and peaks, though the material costs might still be about the same, asphalt shingles are going to install faster and cost less in labor than metal panels. That said, it is still hard to beat the longterm savings of a metal roof.

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