The Complete Guide to Metal Roofs
Metal roofs could ultimately save you money on cooling costs because they are less expensive to maintain than traditional asphalt shingle roofs. The most popular roof types and their accompanying costs are covered in detail in this guide to metal roofing.
When compared to roofing materials like asphalt composite shingles, installing a metal roof on your home is a significant financial commitment. However, there are also other strong arguments for switching, such as the value and longer lifespans of metal roofs.
Although careful planning is required, many homeowners find that metal roofing offers a high return on investment and lasts roughly two to three times as long as a normal roof.
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Tega Cay SC 29708
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What Is Metal Roofing?
Residential buildings, barns, garages, apartments, ranches, townhomes, commercial buildings, and commercial enterprises all have metal roofing because it is durable. It shields the building from ice, fire, hail, wind, rain, and snow. There are many different types of metal materials, including:
- Zinc
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Tin
Weathering steel, galvanized steel, and galvalume steel are the three different types of steel roofing. Zinc, which is present in galvanized steel and provides a barrier of defense and inhibits rusting.
Galvalume is reinforced and corrosion-resistant thanks to the addition of zinc and aluminum. Low-carbon steel, also referred to as “weathering steel,” goes through a specific process to improve its resistance to corrosion.
It is less expensive compared to galvanized steel. However, because it is ineffective in humid climates or environments with high levels of chlorine, its use is limited.
Due to its capacity to last for ages under controlled conditions and excellent resilience, copper has been utilized as a construction material for millennia. Copper has historically been one of the quietest materials since it is softer than most others. It will not make any loud noises during heavy rain or hail.
Advantages of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is preferred by homeowners, and even contractors advise it because it is less expensive and significantly more corrosion-resistant. It won’t require replacing for years if only minor maintenance is performed on it. The benefits of metal roofing are described in further detail below:
Longevity: Unlike shingles and other roof materials, which have an average lifespan of 10–20 years, your roof can endure even more than 50 years if it is properly maintained and made of the right roofing material.
Durability: Metal roofing is appropriate in climates with extreme weather. It can resist gusts of up to 140 mph, making it ideal for hurricane-prone areas.
Simple upkeep: You can easily maintain your roof by emptying the gutters and collecting leaves, branches, and other debris once a year or after inclement weather.
Environmentally friendly: Among the most recyclable materials are metal and roofing materials are 100% recyclable, unlike the shingles found in landfills. Metal roofs are better for the environment because they don’t need to be replaced as frequently.
Enhances home resale value: Because a properly installed metal roofing system is durable and long-lasting, the future homeowner won’t have to worry with reinstallation, leaks, mildew, or molds in the home.
Energy-efficient: Metal roofs minimize the expense of the cooling system by reflecting light and deflecting heat away from a house or other structure. Additionally, UV-blocking paint is offered for sale.
Fire and weather-resistant: Metal roofing is well-liked because of its durability and resilience to the elements. The metal roof is fire and smoke resistant. It can even add to safety in wildfires and is resistant to hurricanes, scorching heat, and storms.
How Much Does Installing a Metal Roof Cost?
When compared to a rooftop with asphalt shingles, the price of a metal roofing system is significantly more. When compared to the expense of replacing the complete roof every 15 to 19 years, a metal rooftop’s overall construction and maintenance costs are much lower.
Here are some popular metal roof materials along with their cost to buy and construct. The overall expenditures are calculated using an average American roof size of 1,700 square feet.
Aluminum Shingles
An aluminum roofing system is a great option if you live near the ocean because it resists corrosion and marine damage.
Construction expenses are low since aluminum is a reasonably easy material to work with, and you can have this type of shingle installed for roughly $9 to $16.50 per square foot for a total metal roof cost of $15,500 to $28,000. In addition, it is inexpensive, with shingles costing between $3.15 and $6 per square foot.
Due to its tendency to dent and poor general aging, aluminum has an unattractive appearance. Compared to other metals commonly used for roofing, it contracts and expands more quickly, resulting in wear and creaking sounds as temperatures change.
Copper Tiles Roof
Copper roof tiles are among the most aesthetically pleasing metal roof tile options since they are highly resistant, lightweight, and durable. It costs between $14 to $25 per square foot, making it one of the most expensive roofing materials. A brand-new copper roof costs between $35,700 and $67,500 for a 1,700 square foot roof, or between $21 and $39.70 per square foot.
Corrugated Metal
One of the most cost-effective metal roofing systems is the corrugated metal roofing system, however it is not as durable as other ceiling materials. The grooves in each wave of corrugated metal panels exactly fit together, making them simple to erect.
The panels are light enough to be installed over an existing roof and may easily expand and contract in response to temperature variations.
Corrugated panels can be made from a variety of metals, but the most common ones are galvanized steel and galvalume, a less expensive alternative.
These metal panels’ basic components cost between $1 and $2.50 per square foot, or between $5.50 and $11.50 when installation costs for metal roofs are included. For a 1,700 square foot roof, metal roofing expenses range from $9,350 to $19,500.
Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels
Because the standing seam metal roof is a roofing panel rather than a single piece of material, you can purchase these panels in a variety of metals. Its high ribs conceal the seam that connects the panels, giving them the appearance of being vertically ribbed. While many of these roof panels can be assembled by simply snapping them together, others require unique metal caps to secure the parts.
Fasteners are not exposed to weathering, wind, moisture, or other stresses that could eventually cause them to break, which is a benefit of not having exposed permanent pieces. Standing seam metal roof panels may also expand and contract with temperature changes thanks to their ribs and unique locking mechanisms.
Standing seam panels made of steel and aluminum often cost significantly less than those made of zinc and copper when comparing comparable metal costs. Depending on the material, the price per square foot for the panels could range from $4 to $6.50. Costs for metal roof installation and materials can range from $17,000 to $30,000, or $10 to $17.65 per square foot.
Steel Tiles and Shingles
There are several different types of steel roofing. The chosen material is galvanized steel, which has a zinc coating to stop corrosion and is stable and long-lasting. A less expensive option is galvalume, which is steel that has an aluminum coating.
The priciest choice is stainless steel, a rare but attractive substance. For instance, the roof of the Chrysler Building is made of stainless steel.
A 100 square foot Galvalume panel costs between $75 and $250 and installs for around $5.50 per square foot.
Galvanized steel costs between $3.35 to $4.25 per square foot, while installation and supply costs might range from $17,000 to $25,000.
Stainless steel is fairly pricey, with materials costing between $10 and $16 per square foot and installing a metal roof costing about $15.50 per square foot.
Tin
Often, terne, a steel core covered in tin alloy, makes up a tin roof. Although it lasts for a long time and is resistant to corrosion, it isn’t as well known as the other metals. Tin can be painted or left unpainted to develop a gray patina—a layer produced over time by oxidation.
Furthermore, prices for tin panels vary based on the model, but many start at $3.50 and can go as high as $14. Between $17,000 and $31,450, including installation, is the cost range for a tin roof.
Zinc
The greatest option for a long-lasting metal roof that is somewhat less expensive than copper and more durable than aluminum would be zinc. Zinc may last up to 150 years with little to no maintenance since it entirely resists corrosion and has a self-healing coating that covers scrapes and scratches.
Zinc panels also cost between $6 and $10 per square foot. However, installation costs might cost between $30,400 and $47,600 and range between $12 and $18 per square foot.
The cost of a metal roof is equivalent to that of a wood shake or slate tile roof, but metal is stronger and more durable. Additionally, metal roofs cost more to install than asphalt shingles, but they offer significant energy cost savings and last much longer. Compare your overall budget against the expense associated with maintaining various roofing materials before making a choice.
If you have any questions concerning a metal roofing system or would like to talk about a metal roof repair, please don’t hesitate to contact us. In Charlotte, North Carolina, we are happy to help if you’re seeking for metal roofing close by!