Steel Roofing is increasingly popular. Why?

[ironhat]

I see a lot of this going up lately. It resembles the old standing seam tin roofs of long ago. I'm supposing that these are steel and wondered if any of you know the life-span on this material and if it's cost effective as compared to fiberglass shingles. I hate to call a contractor about pricing when I'm not really in the market, yet. Gie me a couple of years and we'll talk.

Thanks.

[Tom Slick]

I think they are great as long as it matches the style of the house. they last about 50 years and are recyclable. I've been seeing more of it around here too.

galvume is one type of steel roofing.

[Almightymoonpie]

After Hurricane Katrina damaged my 15 year old shingle roof. I decided to go with the Metal Roofing. Cost installed was over 3x 25 year shingle price. I did the work myself and bought the metal local and did it for less than the shingle would have cost to be installed. The metal was called Galvalume, The life span of the roof is 50 or so years, paint is cover for 30. Metal roofing has become a norm here on the coast. it can easily withstand the frequent tropical pests we get. Most are rated to 150mph+ winds. Installation is simple, and slow, but well worth it.

[Ken Massingale]

We had steel roofing installed about 1 1/2 years ago. In addition to the long life we have seen a drastic reduction in heating/cooling cost.
In our area the cost was a tad more that twice the cost of shingles. Also, there is normally a somewhat lower insurance rate.

[lago]

I am planning on putting a roof over part of my deck and I contacted Metal Mart. Got a price of $2.75/ft but that was several months ago. Might be higher now. That was for 36" width.

[Pappy]

Just place the order Thursday for just under 26 squares to re-roof my place. Total for tan R panels with the trim, screws, seal tape, closures, etc was $3,500. Going with a continous ridge vent so that added to the cost over standard rubber closures. Only thing extra is a sheet of CDX to patch the holes where the 6 vents are now, 30# felt, and some PVC to reduce the 6 vent pipes to 2.

And a lot of SWEAT!

I am also going to finish replacing the facia with cedar while I am up there.

I went with Muellers rather than Metal Mart. Difference in price was only about .04 per sq ft and they are more knowledgeable that the two pieces of 'fluff' that man the counter at the Local Metal Mart. Another factor was that the rake trim is made to length instead of 10' sections, so less joints.

[atgcpaul]

I did the work myself and bought the metal local and did it for less than the shingle would have cost to be installed.

Just curious. How do you join the panels together? Do you have to fold the
joint over like a standing seam or something else?

Thanks, Paul

[Almightymoonpie]

Just curious. How do you join the panels together? Do you have to fold the
joint over like a standing seam or something else?

Thanks, Paul

Simple over lap. Seam tape is not recommended for my area

[eezlock]

steel roofs?

I like those steel roofs as well, wanted them for my shop. I talked to a contractor about having them installed...his price to install them was about
2 1/2 times the amount for doing the roof in fiberglass or asphalt shingles.
But, on the other hand...they have a life expectancy of 50 years....
eezlock

[MilDoc]

Had a new shingle roof put on 5 years ago. Now wishing I had gone with metal. My neighbor has one that is 15 years old and still looks good. his heating/AC bills are far less for the same size house, same quality of insulation. And he gets a 20% premium decrease on home insurance.

Worthwhile investment if you're not moving soon.

[mschrank]

As soon as it comes time to replace my asphalt shingle roof (probably within the next 5 years), I'm going with metal.

The main reason for me is because I live in a rural area surrounded by forest. I'm gradually trying to make my house & property as wildfire safe as possible. It's not that asphalt shingles are necessarily flammable, but their rough texture in combination with the low pitch of my roof works like velcro to capture tons of leaves & pine needles. I'm thinking a metal roof will more easily shed the debris. Plus, no more moss growing along all the shingle seams. As it is now, I have to go up there twice a year to clean off the debris...not good for the roof and not good for me if I slip

[ironhat]

Interesting stuff. I'll have to do a little more research to see what is entailed with a hip roof and an added gable end addition over the deck. Now I have to concoct a way to get the sons-in-law to do the heavy stuff while I drive screws. Might as well get the soffit and facia done while I'm at it. Everything needs it and anyway, it looks like they'll be carrying me out of this house when the Big Guy calls me home.

PS Does rain on the roof sound great or isn't it noticeable through the decking material?

[Pappy]

Can't answer for the main roof yet, but with the 30# felt, decking and attic insulation it should be hardly heard. On the porch the metal is on the raftersand only a sheet of beadboard asa ceiling. Unles it is a hard, driving rain the sound is pleasant.

[ironhat]

I was thinking it would be pleasant, Don. I'm guessing that they recommend removing the old asphalt roofing... does anyone know for sure? (I'm carrying one layer now but I don't recall if it's 240# or 28# and it has been on just about 20 years).

[Almightymoonpie]

I was thinking it would be pleasant, Don. I'm guessing that they recommend removing the old asphalt roofing... does anyone know for sure? (I'm carrying one layer now but I don't recall if it's 240# or 28# and it has been on just about 20 years).

its common and ok by code to install the metal over one layer of shingles. As far as the noise, very, very little