Your home needs the right roof to keep everything inside protected and keep your house structurally sound. There are many different types of roofs, from wood and asphalt to slate and tile. One type of roof that’s been gaining more popularity is metal.[1]
Metal roofs are appealing to homeowners of all types of houses and in many different regions of the United States.[2] However, in order to decide if a metal roof is right for your home, you need to look at this material’s advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at metal roof pros and cons.[3]
Benefits of metal roofing
One of the biggest selling points is that metal roofs can last longer than most other roofing materials — even over 100 years.[4] If it’s installed on your home properly, it should last for the life of the house. But here are some other ways it bests other roofing types:
- Fire resistant. Metal roofs earn a Class A fire rating, which is the highest fire resistance rating a roof can get. This means a metal roof can withstand prolonged exposure to fire. [5]
- Lightweight. Tile weighs about 750 pounds per 100 square feet. By comparison, metal weighs just 50 to 150 pounds for that same area.[6] That means it won’t add too much weight or stress to your home’s structure and may not require additional roof supports.
- Easy to install. Metal roofing is one of the faster types of roofing to install because it comes in large sections or panels.[7] This can shave a day or two off of the installation process. That means you may also save considerably on labor costs.
- Durable. On sunny days, metal roofs can reflect the sun’s rays and minimize heat gain — much more so than an asphalt roof.[8] This could save on the amount of energy you have to use to cool your home. Metal roofs stand up well to rain and may help quickly melt any snow that accumulates.
Disadvantages of metal roofs
Metal roofs have some helpful advantages, but it’s important to get a look at the whole picture. Some of the disadvantages of metal roofs include the following:
- More expensive. Expect to dig a little deeper into your bank account if you want to spring for a metal roof.[9] If you’re not going to be in your home long-term, you may not recoup the savings benefits of lower energy bills and less seasonal maintenance.
- Dents easily. Metal is vulnerable to denting. If you’ve ever seen a car after a hailstorm, you know that hail and metal don’t mix. Metal roofs can dent, too, if hit by large hailstones.
- Noisy. Expect a bit more noise. How do you feel about the tap-tap-tap of raindrops? Living with metal over your head can be louder than other types of roofing. Fortunately, an experienced roofer can include insulation materials to minimize the sounds you hear.
- Difficult to replace damaged sections. It can be harder to replace damaged areas. If your metal roof is damaged by hail, a falling tree limb or something else, it’s often more difficult and more expensive to replace entire panels of a metal roof than to replace sections of shingles.
Before you invest in a metal roof, weigh the pros and cons to make sure it’s right for you. Learn more about the different types of roofing material for your home.
[1] https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/92514-sustainable-metal-roofing-grows-in-popularity
[2] “Why Are Metal Roofs Increasing in Popularity?,” Classic Metal Roofing Systems, https://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com/metal-roofs-increasing-popularity/, June 27, 2016.
[3] “Pros & Cons of Metal Roofing,” Hometips.com, https://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/metal-roofing-drawbacks.html, June 19, 2019.
[4] https://www.metalroofing.systems/metal-roofing-pros-cons/
[5] https://www.theroofingcompanylasvegas.com/blog/fire-resistant-roofing-materials
[6] https://www.hometips.com/buying-guides/metal-roofing-drawbacks.html
[7] https://www.abmartin.net/does-a-metal-roof-cost-more-to-install
[8] https://www.metalroofing.com/residential-metal-roofing/benefits/energy-savings/
