Maximize the Return on Your Investment With a Metal Roof

The decision to put a new roof on your home is one of the most significant investments you can make into your property. Not only is your roof the single largest component that keeps your home and possessions safe and dry, but it’s also one of the biggest financial investments you’ll undertake while on your homeownership journey. Thus, it’s very important to make a roofing decision that will provide you with a significant return on your investment (ROI).

While it’s tempting to choose the least expensive roofing option available – usually, an entry-level asphalt shingle – such a decision doesn’t always provide the best ROI. In fact, you’ll need to consider the resale value, durability, longevity, and other aspects of a roof to truly get a sense of the ROI you’ll see after installation. For those reasons, it’s important not to overlook the ROI of a metal roof.

The Initial Cost of a Metal Roof Provides Excellent ROI

The initial cost of a metal roof is a bit higher than some other popular roofing types, including low-end and mid-range asphalt shingles – although some premium asphalt shingles exceed metal roof pricing. Other options, including wood shakes, clay tile, and slate, may also outstrip metal roof costs. Metal roof installation also runs a bit higher than asphalt shingle installation, though alternative roofing types may have higher associated costs.

However, the initial cost of a metal roof is soon offset by the direct financial benefits it provides – and the indirect benefits available as well. Read on to learn more about the ways a new metal roof can boost your ROI.

Durability

Compared to asphalt shingles and wood shakes, which can become brittle and crack or absorb water and allow moisture to seep into your roof decking – metal roofs are much more durable. In fact, metal roofs can withstand high winds that would cause asphalt shingles to tear and break. Metal roofs are also resistant to pests and are even fire-resistant to both flames and embers.

As a result, the repair costs associated with a metal roof are negligible compared to other roofing systems. Most roofing contractors offer warranties that provide protection against fading, cracking, rotting, or rusting.

Longevity

As mentioned above, metal roofs are extremely resistant to damage from weather, fire, and other sources of external damage. By contrast, asphalt shingled roofs weather fairly quickly and last, on average, 15 to 20 years. In some areas with extreme weather, their life expectancy is even lower.

Metal roofs have a life expectancy of anywhere from 40 to 70 years, and many roofing contractors offer 50-year warranties with new installation. By that measure, your new roof will likely outlive your mortgage – meaning you’ll pay for your home in full before you need to incur the expense of another roof. In this sense, choosing a metal roof once every 50 years provides a more significant ROI than replacing an asphalt shingled roof every 15.

Reduced Energy Costs

One of the most often overlooked aspects of metal roof ownership that can lead to a higher ROI is the energy savings you’ll see with your new metal roof. In fact, energy costs with a metal roof are often between 25 and 40% lower than those with other roofing systems. The reasons for this are numerous.

First, metal roofs reflect sunlight away from the surface of the roof instead of absorbing it like asphalt shingled roofs, keeping the interior temperature of your home low in the summer. In the winter, the combination of the metal roof, insulative underlayment, roof decking, and attic insulation help keep cold drafts from entering your home and perform just as well as other roof types. The combination of excellent summer and winter performance reduces your energy consumption and keeps your costs low, improving your ROI from month to month.

Reduced Impact on the Environment

While asphalt shingles are recyclable, it is relatively expensive to do so, and few facilities participate in the practice. Worse, the process of recycling shingles uses a great deal of energy. Unfortunately, this results in a great deal of asphalt shingle waste in America’s landfills.

By contrast, since metal roofs last longer, they produce far less waste than other types of roofing materials. If you do need to replace your metal roof in the future, most of its components can be recycled. Add that to the reduced energy usage mentioned above, and it’s easy to see how a metal roof is more eco-friendly than other options. While eco-friendliness does not always provide a tangible return on your investment, these cost savings plus the potential for EnergyStar and other federal tax credits can help boost your ROI.

Resale Value

While the best ROI for your metal roof investment is achieved for a home you’re planning on living in for some time, the unexpected often happens. If you need to sell your home soon after you install a metal roof, rest assured that your metal roof will be attractive to potential buyers. A modern metal roof looks brand new for the vast majority of its lifespan and can closely match traditional roofing materials, increasing your curb appeal.

In addition, most potential homebuyers are eager to capture the energy savings a metal roof can provide. Even more significant is the appeal of purchasing a home that will not require replacement roofing for decades to come. Metal roofs provide multiple draws for potential homebuyers and can improve your resale value.

Capture a Great ROI With a Metal Roof

While replacing an aging roof generally improves your home’s energy efficiency and resale value, metal roofs provide many additional benefits not captured by traditional, asphalt shingled roofs. Their long lifespan and superior durability reduce your roofing costs over many years, and energy savings reduce your monthly bills throughout your time in your home. Should you need to sell your home, a metal roof passes its benefits on to the next owner, garnering you a sale price that helps to recoup a portion of your initial investment.

When you’re tasked with planning your new roof, it’s crucial to choose a material that will provide the best possible return on your investment – and keep your property safe in the process. Speak with your roofing contractor about how you might benefit from a metal roof and begin reaping the advantages as soon as possible.