Metal roofs can be attractive and offer many benefits to homeowners.

Replacing a roof is a major expense. If your roof requires replacement, you have many options for roofing materials from which you can choose. Asphalt shingles have been the norm for many years, but metal roofing has become more popular in many areas.

When evaluating the costs of a new roof, it soon becomes clear that metal roofing has a significantly greater cost for initial installation than its asphalt counterpart. There are different types of metal roofing to choose from, including aluminum, steel and terneplate (soft metal treated with a coating of lead and tin).

When deciding whether to install a cheaper asphalt roof or a metal one with a much higher cost, it is important to consider the cost in a broader way than just the initial materials and installation cost. Although the metal roof is more costly, it may not end up that way over the length of the roof.

Longevity of Roofing Types

While an asphalt roof may last 10 to 15 years, metal roofs last 35 to 60 years, or about 3 to 6 times longer. For many families, this means they will never need to replace the roof again. If you plan to stay in your house for a long period of time, a metal roof may not end up costing you any more than the asphalt one over the course of its lifetime. If the next 10 to 15 years bring inflation in prices, homeowners may even come out ahead on initial cost alone.

Energy Costs

Another factor to consider when it comes to metal roofing is that it saves homeowners considerably on their energy bills. Metal roofs reflect sunlight and heat away from the house rather than absorbing it like asphalt shingles do. Up to 40% savings on cooling costs is typical with a metal roof. For hot climates where the air conditioning runs for at least six months out of the year, this cost savings can be significant.

In winter weather, cost savings may not be as significant, but some roofs can be painted black to absorb sun rays. Another winter advantage of metal roofs is that snow and ice don’t build up but instead melt and slide off the metal, preventing damage to the roof.

Insurance Discounts

Most metal roofs are classified as very fire resistant, which can give homeowners a discount on their premiums. Although metal may be considered to attract lightning strikes, a simple electrical ground makes them as safe as other roofing types.

When you consider all the ways metal roofs can save homeowners money once they are installed, it is very possible that a metal roof is more cost-efficient than its asphalt counterpart over the life span of the roof. In fact, over a 35 to 60 year time span, the energy savings and insurance discounts are likely to add up to a roof that actually pays for itself.

Moonworks offers many options for residential roof replacement. For more information about different roofing options, call 1-800-975-6666.