What You Need to Know About Metal Roofing Options

Updated 07/15/22

Many homeowners prefer metal exterior roof panels even though corrugated roof sheeting prices are higher than shingles. Unlike shingles, they have properties that make them resistant to fire, have a longer lifespan, and are easy to implement. Tin, copper, aluminum, or steel are the roofing metal materials used, and any reputable roof company supplies them. Can you put a metal roof over existing shingles? Putting a metal roof on top of shingles is possible. However, before settling on any course of action, you should consult with your area’s building department.

Additionally, when constructing a metal roof over an existing shingle, one of the most common choices is installing a steel roof. Compared to other metals, a steel roof has superior performance characteristics. How much does steel roofing cost per square foot? For steel roofing materials, prices range from $6 to $12 per square foot. Other metal roofings are slightly cheaper. Putting a steel shingle roof on a house of a standard size would run between $18,000 and $36,000, depending on the house size.

Any local roofing contractor will tell you that in this day and age, the choices of roofing material are many. Of course, so much has to do with the type of roof you have, but by and large, you have a good number of choices from which to pick.

If you are ready to have a new roof installed, your local roofing company can discuss the different ways you can go to make your home safe while keeping things more affordable than you might otherwise think. Metal roofing is not a new style of roofing material, but you might not know how far manufacturers have come in developing this very ecologically friendly roofing material. Here are some things you should know about when considering metal roofing for your home.

Let’s start at the beginning. The two types of metal that are used most often for metal roofing projects are steel and aluminum. These materials are both very lightweight roofing options, especially when you compare them to other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. Aluminum is a bit lighter, but both would make a fine choice.

In general, you will find that most metal roofs will last you about 50 years or more, provided you treat them well and properly maintain them. You can rely on your roofing contractor to provide you with information on how to do just that. If you decide to go with a steel shingle that is coated with an aluminum-zinc alloy, you can extend that lifespan to 100 years.

Depending on where you live, a metal roof can really be a life saver. If you live in an area where high winds can give you trouble, putting on a metal roof just might save you from a great deal of expense down the line. A metal roof has a wind rating of 140 miles per hour, making it a much safer bet than some other conventional shingle varieties.

The cost of a metal roof should not be a problem for you when deciding on a metal roof. A roofing contractor will tell you that even the most expensive metal roofing materials will still cost around 30% less than a slate or tile roof.

Finally, don’t let any misunderstandings sway you from gathering information about metal roofing. A lot of people hear the term “metal roofing” and automatically think of tin roofing. While tin roofing had its heyday in the early 20th century, it has since been replaced by a galvanized metal that is much better and even less expensive to make.