Putting a metal roof on a residential home has become commonplace over the last decade. A roofing option that was once reserved for agriculture and commercial buildings has become a modern-day solution to providing an eco-friendly, durable roof for your home. Along with their popularity, metal roofing options have also received a big style upgrade to match the aesthetic of residential neighborhoods.
What is a Metal Roof?
Metal roofing for residential homes usually refers to the modern application of concealed fastener steel panels that are coated in a fade-resistant color. These panels provide a sleek, modern aesthetic that is well-accepted in residential neighborhoods. However, metal roofing for homes isn’t limited to concealed fastener panels. Many rural homes utilize the less-expensive exposed fastener panels that are commonly found on agricultural buildings. Why more homeowners are gravitating towards metal roofs is a little bit of a mixed bag. Let’s take a look at the top reasons metal roofs are making their way into residential uses.
The Benefits of Metal Roofing
The roof is an important part of your home. Choosing the right material can determine how much money you put into your home over your years of ownership. How often you will need to spend money on maintenance and how soon you will need to replace your roof can vary greatly depending on factors like what material you choose.
Metal Roofs Provide Energy-Efficient Savings
Metal roof panels are coated with reflective treatments that help keep buildings cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. By some estimates, a quality metal roof may save homeowners up to 40% on their energy costs by reflecting away UV rays that cause surface heat.
As the cost of energy continues to rise, these energy-efficient savings are becoming increasingly important to homeowners looking to save a few bucks. Some metal roofing products even feature ENERGY STAR ratings or cool roof ratings to back up their energy-saving claims.
Metal Roofs are an Environmentally Friendly Alternative
Most residential homes rely on asphalt shingles for roofing, which has been the industry standard for more than 100 years. Unfortunately, asphalt shingles are also a petroleum-based building material that often ends up in landfills after they’re removed from homes. Builders and homeowners looking for a more sustainable alternative are turning to metal panel roofing as an eco-friendly alternative.
Metal roofs are often made from recycled materials and are fully recyclable once they are removed from a building. On top of that, metal roof panels offer long-lasting durability that is often twice as long as traditional asphalt shingles. Metal roof panels on residential homes contribute to living a sustainable lifestyle which is becoming increasingly important among modern homeowners.
Metal Roof Panels Last Longer than Traditional Roofing Materials
The average lifespan of metal roof panels on residential buildings is about 50 years. That is twice the length of a traditional shingle roof and in some cases, they can last much longer. A long lifespan means that homeowners will spend less money over the ownership of their home on roof maintenance and replacement costs. The average cost to replace a roof is between $4,707 and $10,460 with most homeowners experiencing this cost at least once. Metal roofs for residential homes can extend the time between roof replacement meaning that many homeowners won’t have to think about a roof replacement at all.
Metal Roofing for Residential Homes is a Durable Option
And, speaking of the cost of maintaining a home, the roof is often one of the biggest causes of unexpected maintenance costs. Choosing a metal panel roof for your residential home can offer an extra layer of protection during strong storms and seasonal weather patterns. Most metal roofs are made from steel or steel composite blends that offer weather-resistant durability for high winds and hail that often wreak havoc on shingle roofs.
When it comes to weather, here’s what you need to know about metal roof panels:
- Metal reflects the heat and sun that degrade traditional roofing materials.
- Metal provides long-term wind resistance, showing little to no sign of degradation as they age.
- Metal roofing sheds snow, ice, and debris quickly.
- Metal is a non-combustible material that can reduce fire risks.
- Metal does not attract lightning, making it safe during storms.
- Metal roof panels have the highest level of impact resistance available, standing up to hail and other debris.
Side by Side with Other Options, Metal Roof Panels are Cost-Effective
It might seem easy to dismiss the viability of a metal roof based on the initial sticker price alone. But if you do the math, metal panel roofing always comes out on top in the long run. There are many different factors that affect the price tag of a residential roof, including material, slope, pitch, and square footage. So, first, make sure you are truly comparing apples to apples.
Then, keep in mind that the initial cost to install the roof is only one part of the equation. After you factor in maintenance costs over the life of the roof which are essentially nil with metal roof panels on residential homes, plus the typical lifespan, the metal roof quickly comes out ahead. And don’t forget to factor in the energy-efficient savings that can widen the gap between the cost of metal panels and asphalt shingles for residential roofing applications.
Final Thoughts on Metal Roofing as a Good Option for Residential Homes
Just because something has always worked doesn’t mean it’s the best option. We’ve used asphalt shingles on our homes for more than a century and now more homeowners are embracing a more energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative using modern metal roof panels. The list of pros is long and with a wide selection of colors and styles, it seems that more homeowners are finding exactly what they need using metal roofing options. The consensus is that metal roof panels are good for residential homes because they provide homeowners with long-lasting, durable roofing material that is better for the environment and easier on the wallet. If you’re considering a new construction or roof replacement, take a look at metal roof panels as a better alternative to traditional asphalt shingles.
Author Bio:
Brian Haraf is the VP of Sales and Marketing at Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation. With 21 facilities nationwide, Metal Sales manufactures metal roof and wall panels for the agricultural, commercial, architectural, and residential markets since 1963.
