Is metal roofing worth the investment? This is one of the most common questions asked about the roofing material, which is growing more common in residential areas across the country. Metal roofing used to be the domain of commercial buildings, but it’s been introduced to homeowners over the years as a more attractive material because of its many benefits. It’s true that it’s more expensive than common roofing options like asphalt shingles, but don’t let its initial cost completely turn you away from considering metal roofing for your home.
Is metal roofing worth the investment? Maybe. It’s really up to you as the homeowner, but we’ll walk you through some of the benefits of using metal roofing so you can make the decision as to whether it’s right for you.
A Look at Price. What Does a Metal Roof Cost?
Roofing costs can vary greatly from home to home, depending on the size of the roof and the labor involved. Some roofs are more complex than others, requiring more labor to tear off the old materials and install the new ones. The best way to gauge price is by the square footage of the material required and the estimated labor costs.
It’s true that, per square footage, metal roofing materials are more expensive. It’s hard to give exact prices on materials given the volatility in the market, but considering the average pricing over time, you can expect to pay about 50% more for metal roofing materials than for asphalt shingles.
This sounds like a large increase in price, but consider the primary benefit of metal roofing: it lasts much longer. The average asphalt shingle roof will last between 20-30 years. The average metal roof’s lifespan? About 50-70 years. That’s more than double the lifespan for only 50% more cost. You not only have to consider how much you are paying per square footage of materials and installation costs, you should also be considering how much you will pay for your roof on a per year basis.
Here’s a scenario (we’ll keep the numbers low to make it easy): Your asphalt shingle roof costs $15,000 to install on your home and lasts 30 years. This means you are paying $500 a year for your roof over its lifetime.
Now, consider a metal roof that costs 50% ($7,500) more. The total cost of the roof is $22,500. However, the roof will last you 60 years on average. This means over the course of those 60 years, you will be paying $375 for your roof per year. Even if the metal materials get the minimum 50 years, that’s still $450 a year, a cheaper investment in the long run.
Is Metal Roofing Right for You?
There are other benefits of metal roofing: durability, energy efficiency, performance, sustainability, etc. If cost is the only thing that matters and you know you’ll be staying in this home for most of your life, yes, metal roofing is right for you. If you are moving soon, perhaps not. The other thing to consider is aesthetics: do you like the look of metal roofing? The metal materials come in a lot of different colors, so it’s up to you whether you like the traditional look of asphalt shingles or prefer the modern look of metal.
Want an honest opinion on metal roofing? Ask us! We don’t pressure our customers into purchasing any specific material for their home, and we’re happy to give you multiple quotes and options. Get in touch with Schmidt Roofing for a free quote today!
