Take It From Metal Roof Owners—You’ll See the Benefits

If made wisely, choosing the right roof for your home isn’t a decision you have to undertake very often. Selecting a durable, long-lasting roof is the primary concern of most homeowners making this decision, and can ultimately impact the next 20-plus years you live in your home. More importantly, however, the best roof for your home will continue to protect your house, your possessions, and your family from the elements.

Of course, other, more visual elements go into choosing a roof. The right roof blends seamlessly with the overall style and design elements of your home, fits the aesthetic of your neighborhood in general, and increases your home’s curb appeal. Best of all, the best roofs continue to look great for years, far outshining lower-quality roofs as they age.

Benefits of a Metal Roof

Once relegated primarily to agricultural or industrial buildings, metal roofs have enjoyed a resurgence over the past decade as many homeowners began to discover their long list of benefits and accolades. While such a checklist is easy to gather from a simple, initial comparison of the qualities of metal roofs versus their asphalt shingled counterparts, homeowners continue to enjoy the benefits years down the road. What better way to assess the long-term benefits of a metal roof than by viewing the advantages that happy customers most commonly mention?

We’ve compiled a list of the most popular reasons homeowners continue to love their metal roofs, even years down the road:

1. Peace of mind. The most-mentioned benefit of metal roofs is the peace of mind they give the homeowners who install them. Why? Much of the reason lies behind the sheer durability and longevity of metal roofs.Metal roofs not only stand up to the normal stresses brought about by everyday wind and weather—most can withstand hurricane-force winds and extreme temperature changes much better than asphalt shingles. Also, metal roofs are rust-proof, mold-proof, and flame-resistant. Since metal roofs are not susceptible to expansion and contraction due to weather events, they can last nearly twice as long as most asphalt shingled roofs—in most cases, between 40 and 60 years.
2. Low maintenance. Other roofing materials tend to gather water, snow, and organic materials—leading to the potential for moisture damage, mold, and other undesirable outcomes. By contrast, metal roofs quickly shed rain and snow on their own. Elimination of this excess weight and moisture avoids risking the structural integrity of the roof without any additional maintenance by the homeowner—and can help eliminate other gutter issues as well.
3. Energy efficiency. Another frequently-mentioned feature of metal roofs is their supreme energy efficiency—a statement that lies in stark contrast to the conventional wisdom that metal must get extremely warm in the sun. However, metal roofs adjust solar warmth before it makes its way into your home because they are solar reflective and thermal emissive. Depending on the type of roof chosen and the locale, a metal roof can feel nearly 100 degrees cooler than an asphalt shingled roof of the same size; better yet, it can help keep interior temperatures lower as well, and reduce utility bills in the process.
4. Environmental friendliness. Aside from the reduced amount of energy required to heat and cool homes during the most extreme weather situations, many homeowners note the environmental friendliness of metal roofs. As mentioned, they require replacement much less often than asphalt shingled roofs, which returns much less waste into the environment. When it is time for replacement, you can recycle the entirety of a metal roof, with 25 percent of the recycled metal making its way back into more metal roofing materials.
5. Customization and style options. Unlike the metal roofs of years past, which were limited in materials, appearance, and color, today’s metal roofs are available in a wide range of shapes, style options, and colors. Most homeowners are pleasantly surprised because there are so many customization options available when they begin designing their metal roofs. Metal keeps its shape and vibrant color long after most wood shakes and asphalt shingles begin to look worn. Similarly, you can find style and color options to conform to practically any design aesthetic or HOA requirement, creating an almost unlimited selection of metal roof customizations.
6. Superior return on investment. In general, metal roof owners enjoy the fact that they often recoup a large percentage of the initial expense of purchasing and installing their metal roofs. When considered in conjunction with lowered energy bills and relatively zero maintenance costs over the roof’s long life, it’s easy to see how a metal roof—while initially a bit more expensive—can lead to a better return on investment in the future. The experts at Homeguides agree, citing up to a 95.5 percent recoup of initial expenses and the potential for additional homeowner insurance policy discounts.In addition, Homeguides mentions that a metal roof can add anywhere from 1 to 6 percent increases in resale value, further cementing the potential return on investment. Homebuyers say low maintenance, durability, longevity, and reduced chances of needing to replace the roof immediately after purchase as primary factors in their search for a new home. Fortunately, metal roofs exhibit each of these qualities and result in the corresponding increase in resale value.

Choose the Right Roof for Your Home

No matter your home’s size, location, or design aesthetic, it’s essential to choose a roofing material that complements all three while keeping you in line with neighborhood requirements. Even more importantly, however, is the longevity, durability, and weather resistance of your chosen roof—choosing a material that will outlast all the weather events your area has to offer is crucial for maintaining the investment in your home. According to metal roof owners themselves, metal roofs exhibit each of these characteristics and are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and attractive to boot.

For more information about how a metal roof could help you increase your home’s resale value and improve your overall quality of life, speak with a knowledgeable professional regarding the requirements in your area. Chances are, there’s an ideal metal roof type for you, designed with your climate, neighborhood, or home type in mind.