Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a list of most Frequently Asked Questions.  If you have a question that is not addressed here, please feel free to email us and we will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.

Can you give me an estimate?

In order to make an estimate, we need to see your roof first-hand. An accurate estimate can only be made with a personal visit to take measurements. Factors that affect the cost to install a metal roof are:
1. The style of metal roofing you'd like for your home.
2. The shape and pitch of your homes roof.
3. The size of your roof.

Does a metal roof cost more than a typical roof?

Because metal roofing is a premium home product, you can expect your new roof to cost roughly twice what an asphalt shingle roof costs.

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However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less. No matter what kind of metal roofing style you choose, you'll never have to worry about your roof again. Most come with a true 30 to 50 year warranty. Plus, your new metal roof will add to the resale value of your home, save you money on your energy bills, and give you piece of mind that you'll likely never have to re-roof again.

How much longer will a metal roof last than common roofing like asphalt or wood shingle?

You can expect a metal roof to last at least two to three times longer than a regular roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond. To put it in context, the average life span of an asphalt roof is 12 to 20 years. That life span can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose. Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates. All of the above roofing materials are well-outlasted by metal roofing, which retains its good looks and durability decade after decade after decade.

Is a metal roof more dangerious then non-metal roofs?

Because metal roofing is both an electrical conductor, and a noncombustible material, the risks associated with itsuse and behavior during a lightning event make it the most desirable construction material available. See: Metal Construction Association Technical Bulletin 1040.

What can cause the waviness and what can be done to minimize it?

This is generally referred to as Oil Canning and is an inherent part of light gauge cold formed metal products, particularly those with broad flat areas. For complete details - See: Metal Construction Association Technical Bulletin 1060

Is metal roofing noisier in bad weather?

When installed with solid sheathing, a metal roof on your home will silence noise from rain, hail and bad weather as well - if not better - than any other roofing material.

Would a metal roof be too heavy for certain types of homes, or for smaller structures like a detached garage or porch?

You'll be surprised to learn that a metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. With metal roofing, weight on a structure is never an issue.

Is a metal roof environmentally responsible?

Not only is metal roofing great for your home, it's great for the environment. The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 56% from production to installation to reuse - far superior to asphalt. According to the National Association of Home Builders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end, they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City again, then on to Chicago. That's a lot of wasted asphalt. But because a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what is already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive shingle waste. The metal making process for roofing materials utilizes 30% of recycled metals or scrap. When a metal roof is scrapped, it can be re-melted and made into another panel. Most other roofing materials are not fully recyclable in this manner.

Because metal roofing is both an electrical conductor, and a noncombustible material, the risks associated with its use and behavior during a lightning event make it the most desirable construction material available. See: Metal Construction Association Technical Bulletin 1040.

How will a metal roof stand up to extreme weather?

A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hailstorms, and even wildfires. Metal roofing has a 120-mph wind rating, meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour - equal to an F2 tornado. Under high wind conditions, says architect Jim Mitchell, "Metal roofing systems have wind resistance and uplift resistance that is above the new building code requirement. That gives us a sense of relief in that we can use the best material to meet those criteria." In locations that see heavy snow, metal roofing has been the choice of homeowners for years. It sheds snow fast, which protects the structural integrity of the roof. And it can eliminate ice damming at the eves, so water can't back up and collect under the roof then leak into your home. If you live in a part of the country that is prone to wildfires, metal roofing can protect your home should burning embers land on your roof.