21 Pros & Cons | Metal Roof – Roof Hippie | Helpful Roofing Tips and Information

Are metal roofs good?

Metal roofs are a popular choice among many people for good reasons. Metal roofs look good and provide excellent protection against the elements. If you are thinking about installing a metal roof, there are many advantages and disadvantages you should consider before making the final decision.

But before I get into the pros/cons list I will give you some background information about metal roofs. Metal roofs can be made from a variety of materials. Some of the most commonly used metals are:

Steel
Copper
Aluminum
Zinc

During the processing of the metal panels, the metal is covered in a protective layer called a substrate which can be Galvanized or Galvalume. The better of the two in most situations is the Galvalume substrate coating. You can learn more about each of the substrates and when it is best to use each one in an article I wrote by clicking here.

After the substrate coating is applied, a paint coating is then added for style and extra protection. There are three different types of coatings ranging from good, better and best. Where you can learn more about it in an article I wrote about metal roofs and other roofing materials by simply clicking this link.

Now that you have a little bit of background information as to how the metal panels are made. We can go into the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing.

Pros:

1.Style:

Metal roofs come in a vast variety of different styles. Metal can be cut and shaped to conform to any style that you desire. You can find metal panels that mimic the shape of

As I previously noted, they also come in a variety of colors, patterns, metal types, and fastener types. This is great because it allows you to get the perfect look you are going for. Whether you are restoring an old building, making a barn, or wanting a sleek modern look there is a metal roof panel just for you.

2.Price:

The price of a metal roof can be both a pro or a con depending on your budget. The range of the cost of metal roofs is pretty vast starting out at $75 and extending to about $1,500 per square (1 square = 100 square feet). With this price range, you can imagine that the quality difference between the two differs drastically.

The metal panel types on the lower end of the price range are usually a more affordable metal material with exposed fasteners, galvanized substrates, and ‘good’ quality painting. These types of panels are ideal for barns or small shade covers. While the higher end of the spectrum is ideal for homes or businesses which would be a high-end metal, hidden fasteners, galvalume substrate, and the ‘best’ quality of paint coating. You can adjust these different factors to find a price that fits within your budget.

If you want to see how the price of metal roofs compares to 16 other different types of roof systems you can click this link here to see the comparison.

3.Fire Resistance:

As you probably already know, metal has high fire resistance. Metal roofs are generally rated for a Class A fire rating which is the highest level of resistance. Class A ratings mean it has a flame spread rating between 0 and 25 making it effective against severe fire exposure.

4.Impact Resistance:

Metal roofs also have a great level of impact resistance. They are rated as a Class 4 impact rating meaning that during testing, it withstood impacts from a 2-inch sized piece of ice. In my experience, the metal may still be dented by smaller sized pieces of hail but it won’t puncture through.

5.Wind Resistance:

The wind speed ratings for metal roofs range anywhere from 110 mph to about 160 mph. This makes metal roofs a good choice for places that experience high winds.

6.Heavy Snow:

Another reason why metal roofs are great is that they provide considerable protection against snow and ice build-up. The snow and ice tend to slide right off the slick surface of the metal roof. This makes metal roofs great for cabins or places that have heavy snow.

7. Life Expectancy:

The life expectancy of your metal roof greatly depends on the 4 main things:

Metal Type
Type of Substrate
Type of Fasteners
Type of Paint Coating

These 4 main things will greatly determine the lifespan of your metal roof. In general, your metal roof can be expected to last anywhere from 20 to 40+ years. Click here to learn more about the 4 different variables and what the best options are to get a higher lifespan.

8. Versatility:

Metal roofs are very versatile. By this, I mean that they can be used on many different roofing applications. Large corporate buildings with pitched roofs can use metal along with residential homes and even small basic shade structures. They are also great in a variety of climates.

9. Walkable:

Metal roofs a great because they are slick enough to allow water in all forms to run off the edges of the roof. But still, provide enough traction that you could walk on the roof. It also isn’t brittle like clay tiles, or slate so it won’t shatter from being walked on.

10.Recyclable:

Metal roofs are a good material to use for your next roof system because it is recyclable. After an old metal roof has been used it can easily be recycled into a new roof or other metal applications.

11.Maintenance:

Metal roof systems require little to no maintenance. The only maintenance needed would be to perform basic repairs. Or to add any surface coatings or touch-up any scratches or scuffs if so desired.

12.Repairs:

Metal roofs are fairly easy to repair. If you have small rusted spots on your roof, you can make small repairs rather than replacing the whole roof. This is done by adding an elastomeric patch and covering it with resin. This can be easily done to help you extend the lifespan of the metal roof.

13. Light Weight:

Metal roofs are a very lightweight roofing material, especially when compared to other roof systems. Metal roofs weigh about 140 lbs per square. Because of how light it is, metal roofs can easily be installed over previous roofing materials like asphalt shingles without compromising the integrity of the roof.

14.Pest Resistance:

Another advantage of metal roofs is that they are resistant to the growth of mold and fungus. Additionally, it does not make a suitable home for insects and pests.

15.Quick Installation:

Metal roof panels are much larger than shingles, or tiles. This means that they are faster to install than many other conventional roofing materials.

16.Rain Sounds:

Some people may consider this a disadvantage but I like the sound of rain on a metal roof so I consider it an advantage. Metal roofs can cause a lot of noise when hit by rain and other weather which can be pleasing to listen too. If you don’t like the noise of a metal roof, extra efforts can be put into place to reduce the noise.

Cons:

1.UV resistance:

Metal roofs are resistant to UV rays, but some more than others. As time passes the UV rays tend to break down the outer coatings of the metal roof. This causes the color to fade and become chalky to the touch. Some coating resins will last longer than others. I believe KYNAR 500 is the best coating resins that will last better than the other resins. Other areas that can be affected by the UV rays are the neoprene washers that are used with the fasteners. If the fasteners aren’t installed properly then the washers will be exposed to the sun and break down causing leaks.

2.Fasteners:

Fasteners can lead to problems down the road depending on what type you get. Exposed fasteners can widen over time as the metal continues to expand and contract with the changing seasons. The widened holes can potentially lead to leaks making them not very ideal for home or building use.

3.Technical installation:

Metal roofs are technical to install, I would always recommend you find a professional roofer that is experienced with metal roofing and knows what they are doing. Something as simple as improper fastener placement, or poor cutting tools can cause corrosion and other problems down the road. Roofers should take extra precautions when cutting the metal and working on the roof as to not scratch or scuff the surface of the metal. If a tool gets dropped or a scratch is made, then they must make take the time to cover the scratches with a manufacturer-specific metal paint marker.

4.Insulation:

Metal roofs themselves are not good insulators because the metal is a good conductor of heat (low R-value). However, insulation can be added to the underside of the metal to trap air and give your roof the needed insulation. This would help to reduce your energy costs and keep the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

5.Signal Interference:

Metal roofs are not the primary reason for signal interference. But they can have an effect on amplifying disruptions. When this happens you could experience some interference with radio signals like wifi, cell, and RF signals. The problem comes from when a metal roof amplifies a disruption from nearby a utility tower. To counteract this problem, you can get a repeater system or a cell signal booster to increase the signal strength.

Is a metal roof right for you?

I have listed out a few of the many possible pros and cons of owning a metal roof. The ultimate decision of whether or not the roof is best for you all depends on your individual circumstances and style.

If you like the look of metal roofs and have the budget for it, then a metal roof system would be a great choice for you. However, if any of the disadvantages are a deal-breaker, then you can check out some other alternative roofing options.

Alternative Options:

There are plenty of other roofing materials that you can choose from. Over the course of several months, I made a 10,000+ word article that lists 17 different types of roofing materials that are used today. I wrote it to help you get an overview of what materials are available and to get a sense as to which material is best for you. You can view the article by clicking this link.

If you are interested in learning about other roofing materials, you can click on any of the links below to see the other Pros & Cons lists for each of those materials listed.

Here are some other related materials:

21 Pros & Cons | Metal Roof