At some point in the near future we are probably going to need to replace our roof. I am a big believer that a little up front cost can make big differences in the long term, think 401ks, high efficiency cars, and possibly a metal roof.
Plusses:
- Life time
- Recyclable
- Light (less weight than asphalt)
- Much cooler in the summer (this is a big plus for us) and not appreciable cooler in the winter.
- Excellent for rain water collection (leaches fewer chemicals)
- Possible increase in resale value (lasts longer) see comment below
Deltas
- Initial purchase price
- Rain is suppose to be louder
- Aesthetics
- Possible decrease in resale value (because some people don't like them)
The first disadvantage is definite, but most calculations seem to show them cheaper over the long haul.
The rain question is up in the air, when we get a metal roof I will let you know (see comment below).
Aesthetics, seems to me that with the range of metal roof options this should be a non-issue. We don't have one yet, so I'll let you know. Metal roofs don't have to look like commercial structures see for example
- Interlock this is a 50 year transferable warranty
- Metal Roofing Alliance at http://www.metalroofing.com/
Did I mention that the first picture is not spanish tiles but a metal roof! By the way Spanish tile is also a pretty efficient roofing material but it is very heavy and expensive.
It would also be intersting to see, but I supsect properly installed their failure rate is much lower. Let's say each shingle has a 1/10000 rate of failure, does not take too many shingles to get to an appreciable rate of failure. Most metal roofs are made up of many fewer panels. Just a little quick math with 1000 shingles (about right for our smallish New England house, don't get me started on home prices). The odds of the roof failing are now 1-(9999/10000)^1000 or about 10%. A rough guess is that a metal version would have 20 times less pieces, and probably a lower failure rate. However, even assuming the same failure rate we have a .5% chance of failure. Now, the statistical method is fine but I have no idea if this is a reasonable failure calcualtion for a roof.
You can find a basic article that covers some of this athttp://home-exteriors.suite101.com/article.cfm/shingle_roofs_vs_metal_roofs
3 comments:
Justin,
Metal roofs have been designed to replicate almost every type of lesser roofing material, from asphalt shingles, wood shake, and even clay tiles, as you've discovered.
Some facts about your disadvantages - Initial installation cost will be more than temporary asphalt roofing, but will last a lot longer. Metal roofing installed over a solid substrate (OSB or plywood) will NOT be any louder in a rainstorm than any other roofing material.
Check out website of Metal Roofing Alliance at www.metalroofing.com for more.
Justin - also. Because of the lengthy life cycle of metal roofing, it should actually increase the value of a home, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance, some appraisers actually add up to $1.45 per square foot to the value of a home with a metal roof.
It's crazy, you can get metal shingles that look exactly like about other materials. Also I have to agree with Jim about metal roofing not being louder than shingles when installed over the solid substrate.
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