While the life of a metal roof is much longer investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.
Negative aspects of metal roofs on homes.
Many people are put off the idea of buying a metal roof because it will be more expensive than choosing cheaper options such as asphalt shingles.
Disadvantages of metal roofing.
While they are not nearly as costly as wood shakes high end tile or slate metal roofs do have a higher up front cost compared to most asphalt shingles.
It is therefore very rare for a homeowner to install more than one metal roof over the time he or she lives in the home.
Talk to your contractor if you want to mix metals on different roof areas or when metals are adjacent to areas including gutters fasteners trim and chimneys.
In addition to leaving you cold thermal bridging can create black staining on the cold portions of the walls.
By contrast a homeowner will likely replace an asphalt shingle roof two or even three or four times over a 50 year period.
As a softer metal hailstones will easily dent the copper.
Despite all of their benefits there is one important disadvantage to choosing a metal roof and that is the initial cost of investment.
Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials.
Though metal roofing offers many pluses a few drawbacks are worthy of mention.
Metal roofs are expensive.
However a metal roof does offer a longer lifespan.
According to state farm insurance statistics metal roofs routinely have a longevity of 40 to 70 years.
The negative aspect of aluminum in the alloy though is that galvalume doesn t self protect scratches or cut edges as well as galvanized steel does.
Metal roofs can be noisy especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm.
Also be careful when mixing metal some metals react when introduced to other metals.
The biggest drawback is initial cost.
The same goes for your gutter which can accumulate debris.
The most conductive path in a steel frame home is the steel itself and heat will move quickly from inside your home to the steel studs in the walls.
For the most part metal roofing manufacturers have improved their products to address or solve many of these concerns.
Galvalume steel is also more susceptible to a process known as tension bend staining.