November 23, 2009 | Filed under: Roofing Issues
When people inquire about metal roofing, one of the first things they want to know about is the price. Generally there are three factors that determine the price of a metal roof:
1. What metal?
The type of metal that a roof system is made of is the largest factor in determining the price of that metal roof. Steel, aluminum, copper, and a variety of more exotic metals and combinations (like lead-coated copper) are all available. Along with a price difference, each metal has pros and cons. At Classic we believe that aluminum roofing offers the best long-term value.
2. What finish?
The type of finish or coating on a metal roof also has a large bearing on the cost of the system. At the cheap end are unfinished panels (bare metal), then acrylics, polyesters, and Kynar 500® and Hylar 5000® PVDF resin-based finishes. Some manufacturers also coat metal panels with the same granular surface that is on cheap asphalt shingles. Yet others use a powdercoat finish. A metal roofing expert can walk you through the varieties and explain the pros and cons of each of these coating systems.
3. How is it installed?
The least expensive metal roofs will be installed with exposed fasteners that leave holes in the panels, sealed initially by a rubber (neoprene) washer. These are fine for pole barns but can lead to problems when used residentially. Concealed-fastener systems take longer to install but offer much greater long-term weathertightness.
Other Factors
Besides these big three issues, a metal roof on your home could be priced higher or lower due to roof pitch, complexity, number and type of roof penetrations (chimneys, vents, skylights), damaged areas that need repaired, difficult access, or many other factors. Roof prices are also determined by the size, stability, and expertise of the contractor who installs them. Please keep all these factors in mind when comparing your metal roof options. I would love to sit down with you and talk through each of them, if metal roofing is something you’re considering for your home.
Kynar 500® is a registered trademark belonging to Arkema Inc.
Hylar 5000® is a registered trademark belonging to Solvay