What do metal roofs cost? This is by far the most often asked question by home owners who are convinced about the benefits of metal roofs, but are worried that the cost may be too high.
It is true that metal roofs cost about 3 times more than roofs made from other conventional roofing material like asphalt shingles. This difference is directly connected to the higher material cost as well as the greater skill and experience needed to install metal roofs. Because it is a tedious, time consuming process, installing metal roofs costs more when done by a professional.
But even if metal roofs cost more than asphalt shingle roofs, they are not much more expensive than cedar shake and tile roofs. Metal roofs have the added advantage of being incredibly durable and outlasting roofs made of practically any other material. And that isn’t the only advantage. What you will save by way of energy costs fully offset this higher upfront expense, with cooling cost savings alone amounting to 20% with metal roofs.
A new metal roof will enhance your building’s value as well. Over time, a slightly more expensive metal roof will pay for itself as the value of your building goes up, energy costs decrease and you don’t spend any money on maintenance work (which would be necessary with other kinds of roofing). And metal roofs provide adequate protection from natural elements, reducing the possibility of wasting money on repair work.
What Impacts Cost of Metal Roofs?
The initial expenses for installing premium metal roofs is higher than conventional roofs. Still, metal roofs are a more attractive option for several good reasons. To understand them, we must consider other options for high end roofing.
The initial cost for metal roofs is comparable to roofs made of tile, cedar shake or other expensive wood. Natural slate roofing is almost twice or thrice as expensive as metal roofs. Copper roofing is the highest end metal roof solution, and even that costs less than slate roofing.
Ignoring the most expensive options, let’s study the more commonly installed metal roofs that are made of galvalume, aluminum and steel. These are almost the same in cost as tile or cedar shake roofing systems.
But where the difference becomes obvious is when we analyze the return on that initial investment. Cedar wood shake shingle roofs last 20 to 25 years, but metal roofs can last twice as long. Tile roofs are also durable. Metal roofs beat tile roofs in the weight department. Being much lighter, homes with metal roofs do not require any reinforcing.
Metal roofs reflect heat more effectively, and save on heating energy costs. In terms of environment friendliness and structural integrity of the building, metal roofs share a distinct advantage.
From the point of view of life-cycle cost (which is the amount of money you can expect to spend on roofing over the entire lifetime of your building), metal roofs that are of quality material and installed by an expert will have the lowest cost. Home owners save money and hassle over years. Metal roofs often outlast the building itself. Asphalt shingle roofs need replacing every 10 to 20 years. New metal roofs not only save on this recurring cost, but simultaneously enhance the value of your building over time.
Creatively installed metal roofs enhance the aesthetic appeal of your building as well. Rarely do you get situations where a roofing material not only protects and enhances the appeal of your building but also raises the resale value, but metal roofs do exactly that. This compensates in a big way the initial higher investment in installing metal roofs.
Metal Roofs And Insurance
Metal roofs can reduce your insurance premium as well. Reductions of up to 35% are not uncommon in homes constructed with metal roofs. And in certain states, you may be eligible for a Government tax credit (which lowers the direct tax amount payable) if you have metal roofs that qualify.
That’s why, even if asphalt shingle roofs cost $350 per square while metal roofs go up to $700 per square, over the next 30 years you’ll end up spending over $22,000 for your asphalt roof (assuming your building has roof area of 20 squares) whereas a metal roof will only cost $14,000 over the period – with a $5,000 deduction possible from cost savings of various types.
From this information it is clear that metal roofs have a significant long term advantage over any other form of roofing, while home owners must accept the higher upfront investment in order to reap these rich rewards in the future.
