Metal Roofing Pays Its Way
By Dan Miller
Each piece of the roof for the Idea House is custom made on site. PHOTO: Joe Link
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The Progressive Farmer Idea House and Farmstead is
about innovation. It’s also about giving you ideas to
lower the workload and maintenance costs that come with
owning a country home. Time, distance and the lack of local
repair services make it doubly important that the work you
complete lasts a long time. Controlling the maintenance load is one reason our
builder put a metal roof on our 2004 Idea House outside of
Murfreesboro, Tenn. It’s practically indestructible," says our
builder, Patrick Hatcliff of Hatcliff Construction.
"The look gives it a farmhouse appearance." Metal roofs are not that much of a rarity. During the
drive to our home, you see them all over rural
Tennessee. Residential metal roofs are common, but they are not new.
In the late 1700s, zinc, copper and lead were used for
roofing. The Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson's
Monticello have metal roofs. There is no doubt that a metal roof is more expensive
than other roofing materials. Hatcliff says the Idea House
roof is costing $40,000 more than regular roofing material.
Generally, metal roofing costs three to four times that
of an asphalt or cedar roof. But the cycle time–the
period between roof replacements–is much longer. A
metal roof has a life span of up to 60 years. An asphalt or
cedar roof needs to be replaced every 12 to 20 years. "A metal roof is durable, and it adds to the value
of the house," Hatcliff says. A standing seam metal roof costs $6,000 to $8,000 per 25
squares. That’s installed. A square is 10 x 10 feet, so
we’re talking 2,500 square feet of roof. "Standing
seam" describes the upturned edge of one metal panel
that connects it to adjacent sections, creating vertical
lines and a historical look. Another metal roofing system called Dura-loc costs more–about $10,000 to $12,000 per 25 squares.
This is a system in which the metal is coated with a
granular material to look more like traditional roofing
materials. The system comes with a 50-year warranty. Being metal, this kind of roof is fire resistant. Some
can withstand winds of 120 mph. They are also energy
efficient. The metal reflects heat and blocks its transfer
into the attic. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985
showed that metal absorbed 34% less heat than asphalt
shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported
saving up to 20% on their energy bills. Steel roofing has other environmental benefits. It is
made from 60 to 65% recyclable material. Because it weighs
very little, metal roofing can be installed over an existing
roof, eliminating the need to dispose of excess material in
a landfill. As in any roofing system, proper installation is
critical. Done wrong or with inferior materials, leaks can
develop and colors can fade or peal. One concern that comes up is that of expansion and
contraction in the heat and cold. Movement can loosen
fasteners, and over time that action can cause leaks. I contacted Todd Miller of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a
trade association. At his day job he is president of Classic
Products Inc. at Pique, Ohio, and has been with the company
for 23 years. "There are various methods by which different
products deal with expansion and contraction," Miller
says. "Some of the methods for accomplishing this
include clip fasteners rather than fixed fasteners and
accordion-style folds in the metal." But, he adds, it’s a question to be asked of the
manufacturer. Metal roofing comes in a variety of
colors. Ours is called Colonial Red. It’s on the bright
side of a rusty-red color. Metal roofing also comes in
various styles, such as slate, tile, Spanish tile, metal
tile and vertical panels with raised ribs. The bottom
line is, a metal roof offers advantages over other roofing
systems. But product quality and installation are key. As
with any other investment in your home, it pays in the long
term to pay for a quality product and hire a quality
contractor. Here are answers to some of the questions you’re
likely thinking about:
Will any metal roofing system work? One route to
problems is to install a roofing system not designed for
residential use.
What about maintenance? A metal
roof will not decompose. It requires little
maintenance–only an occasional hosing down.
Is a metal roof heavier than traditional
materials? No. Depending on thickness, it can be 50%
lighter than an asphalt roof.
Can you walk on a metal roof? Yes. But you need to
confirm this with the particular roof manufacturer
first.
I know what rain (and hail) sounds like on my metal
shop roof. Am I in for that same kind of racket in my home
during storms? A metal roof with solid sheathing and
insulation limits the noise just as any other roofing
material.
Will hail dent the roof? The solid structure of
the metal roof prevents damage.
What about snow buildup? A metal roof should shed
snow more quickly than other roofing systems. However, snow
and ice can still build up due to ventilation problems,
improper gutter installation, too shallow of a roof angle or
other design issues.
Does a metal roof attract lightning? A metal roof
does conduct electricity. But it doesn’t draw lightning
anymore than any other roof.
Does a metal roof affect my insurance? It can, and
in a good way. Check with your insurance agent. In some
areas insurance companies offer a sizable
reduction–perhaps up to 30%–on the cost of your
homeowner’s insurance when you install a metal
roof.
Metal can be hot to the touch. Won’t a metal roof
raise my cooling and heating bills? The roof will help
keep the inside temperature comfortable, no matter the
outside temperature. Metal roofing absorbs and dissipates
heat. A metal roof actually can lower your heating and
cooling bills.
For more information on metal roofing and to find a local
contractor, go to the following Web sites:
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