The pandemic brought on a wave of home improvement projects across the nation. Plenty of these projects are of the DIY variety, like painting rooms. Some popular home improvements don’t lend themselves well to the DIY approach, such as a new roof.
For many homeowners, the default is replacing their shingle roof with another shingle roof. Some homeowners look at other options like clay tiles, slate, and metal. If you’re interested in a metal roof, one of your key questions will revolve around cost.
Keep reading and we’ll do a quick breakdown of how to install a metal roof and whether shingles or metal will cost you more.
Metal Roof Installation
Aside from the cost question, the next most common question for a homeowner will often prove: “Can a metal roof be installed on my home?” In most cases, the answer is a clear yes.
Most metal roofing goes down in panels that the installer screws down to the wood underneath. Some metal roof systems use silicone where the panels overlap. The silicone will spread and help form a watertight seal.
Most systems will also include a ridge cap held in place with sealing tape and screws.
Benefits of Metal Roofing
One key benefit of metal roofing is longevity. A metal roof that receives proper maintenance and repair can last anywhere from 30 years up to 50 years or more.
Metal roofing is also beneficial for home cooling. The metal reflects a significant amount of solar energy that an asphalt roof would normally absorb. That makes keeping your home cool in the summer is easier on your HVAC equipment, which helps keep your utility costs down.
Metal roofing comes in a variety of materials, patterns, and colors that can accommodate almost any architectural style. You won’t give up appearances just for the sake of longevity and lower bills.
Shingle vs Metal Cost
There is no getting around the reality that metal roofing costs substantially more than shingle roofing. A standard shingle roof replacement will cost around $8000 for a typically sized home.
Metal roofing costs can sore up over $60,000 depending on your choice of material for a residential roof. Steel roofing tends to run the cheapest and may not cost much more than shingles. Copper roofing, on the other hand, tends to prove the most expensive.
For estimates on costs for commercial buildings, you should consult with commercial metal roofing contractors for estimates or quotes.
A Metal Roof and You
The cost of a metal roof can leave many homeowners thinking that shingles are the right answer. Yet, the cost question is somewhat deceptive. A shingle roof can often fail within 15 years, while a metal roof may last three times that long.
That very longevity means that the cost of the roof over time is often only slightly more and potentially less than replacing your roof with the venerable shingle.
Looking for more tips on roofing or home improvement in general. Check out the posts over in the Outdoor section of our blog.
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