Maintaining your home takes a lot of work, both inside and out. To keep things looking their best, and to make sure your property value doesn’t decrease, there are a number of things you have to do over the years. You might need a new coat of exterior paint on your home, maybe some lighting renovations, or an updated landscape. All of these are great ways to enhance your home, but one of the best things you can do is to replace your roof with a metal roof. Metal roofs have been primarily used for commercial buildings in the past, but have started to gain traction in residential areas and for good reason. There are a number of advantages to metal roofs, which we’ll explore in this article.
If you’re curious about getting a metal roof, the main thing you’re probably asking yourself is, “How much is a metal roof?” That’s a very valid question and probably one of the most important factors in making the switch from your current roofing material. In this article we’ll explore some of the advantages of a metal roof, discuss how much a metal roof is, and compare it to a traditional shingle roof.
Advantages of a Metal Roof
A metal roof is a term to describe roofs that are made from a variety of different metallic elements. There are options to what you can choose and companies that specialize in metal roofs usually offer roofs in steel, aluminum, and tin. Depending on your budget and overall home goals, you may even be able to opt for roofs made of copper or zinc. This gives you a large variety of diverse aesthetic options. It’s also possible to have your roof painted to any color you want! The installation process is a little more complex than regular shingles—metal roofs are primarily installed in large sheets rather than individual shingles—however the advantages are well worth looking into.
First of all, metal roofs have very low maintenance after installation, especially compared to other types of roofs. You won’t have to make many repairs if the installation was done well. Instead, all you’ll need to do is clear debris and clean it every now and again. Additionally, metal roofs have a far superior lifespan than shingle roofs. Metal roofs last anywhere from 50-100 years— over twice, even three times as long as shingle roofs. They’re extremely durable and provide great protection against the elements. Unlike other types of roofs, metal roofs are almost completely fire resistant. While a lot of people are nervous about metal roofs attracting lighting, it’s a far stretch. Metal roofs and asphalt shingles have the same chance of getting struck, yet since metal roofs are fire resistant, they won’t ignite. Asphalt shingles will catch fire if they’re struck, making metal a much safer alternative.
Because of the numerous aesthetic options and long durability, installing a metal roof will boost your property value. Just make sure that you check with your Home Owner’s Association prior to making any changes as they might have specific rules or guidelines for metal roofs.
Finally, metal roofs are more environmentally friendly than other roofing materials due to their high recyclability. They’re close to 100% recyclable and help to reduce your home’s energy use by refracting heat rather than absorbing it.
How Much is a Metal Roof?
With all of the advantages of a metal roof, it’s understandable to question the price. Metal roofs are superior to asphalts and usually, that quality transfers to a higher price. To install a metal roof, it costs on average anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. This depends on the size of your home and the type of metal you want to use for your roof. So what does that mean when broken down? In other words, how much is a metal roof per square foot?
Steel panels are the cheapest option for metal roofs and cost anywhere from $100-$250 per 100 square feet. Steel shingles are the second cheapest, coming in at $250-$350 per 100 square feet. When you start increasing the quality of the metal, the price goes up. For almost all types of metal, you can opt for a shingle form to give your home your desired look, but the shingle forms can be more expensive.
Aluminum roofs range from $150-$600 per 100 square feet and copper, which is one of the most expensive materials, comes in around $800-$1,500 per 100 square feet. Similarly, tin runs up to $1,500 per 100 square feet. The type of look you want for your home will make a difference on price, so make sure you talk to a professional before committing.
While using a calculator is a great starting point, you shouldn’t take it as a final price, only an estimate. Every home will be priced differently based on how you want the roof to look, what type of metal you’ll be using, and whether you opt for metal sheets or metal shingles. To get a better estimate of how much a metal roof will cost you, take a look at this roofing calculator.
How Much is a Metal Roof Vs. Shingle?
When looking at overall costs of a metal roof, it’s important to compare it to the cost of a shingle roof so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money. As we discussed, the average cost of installing a metal roof can be anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the material you choose. In comparison, the cost of installing an asphalt shingle roof can range from $5,000 up to $10,000. When looking at prices per 100 square feet, it’s easy to understand why metal roofs are more expensive upfront. According to Homeadvisor.com, prices per 100 square feet of asphalt shingles range from $70 to $160 and, as we mentioned, metal ranges from $100 to $900! That’s a pretty substantial difference, which is translated into the higher overall costs. However, it’s important to remember that this is just the initial install cost.
We also need to look at maintenance and take longevity into account for a more detailed comparison. Let’s think about maintenance first. Metal roofs require very little repairs and due to their environmental benefits, you might even qualify for rebates on energy bills. They keep your home cooler than asphalt roofs, which means reduced energy bills every month. Finally, a metal roof can literally last an entire lifetime. You won’t have to replace it and if it does get damaged, it’s usually very minor and inexpensive. Metal roofs often come with lifetime warranties so you don’t have to worry about these things.
Asphalt shingle roofs, on the other hand, do need to be replaced. In fact, depending on the quality of your shingles, the intensity of weather exposure, and how well you maintain them, a shingle roof will only last about 15-30 years. While they sometimes do have 20-25 year warranties, this still means that you’ll need to replace it at least once in your lifetime. If you pay for a $10,000 shingle roof and need to replace it that comes out to $20,000 in lifetime payments—over $10,000 more than the cost of an average metal roof! Plus, most roofing companies will charge you for the removal of your old asphalt shingles in addition to the cost of the new roof. Costs are subjective and we recommend looking at the bigger picture before making such a large financial investment. At the end of the day, installing a metal roof will save you money in the long run.
Finding a Company That Installs Metal Roofs
If you’re ready to make the switch to a metal roof, one of the most important steps to take is finding a company that knows what they’re doing. Since there are limited trade professionals that can properly install metal roofs, it can be difficult to find someone. However, this is extremely crucial for your metal roof’s longevity, aesthetics, and overall quality. If metal roofs are not installed properly, there can be a lot of problems. It’s more labor intensive, but when you find the right contractor, you’ll be able to experience all of the advantages of a metal roof for the next 50 to 100 years. Luckily, First Star Exteriors Roofing & Siding is here to help. We’re qualified in metal roof installations and work to give you hands-on and personable partnerships. Our team of professionals is dedicated to providing high quality work in a reasonable amount of time and with 100% transparency. We have over 10 years of professional experience and are here to help you with all of your metal roofing needs. If you’re interested in learning more, or want to receive a free quote within 48 hours, contact us today!
**Prices from: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/roofing/
