June 29, 2016

Metal roofing is documented to be increasing rapidly in popularity for its use on homes. So, why are more, and more homeowners choosing metal roofs? Here a few of the reasons based upon our experiences working with hundreds of homeowners in Louisiana. The reasons may surprise you.

First of all, we see folks of all ages and demographics buying metal roofs. We see:

• People in their 20s and in their 80s buying metal roofs.
• People with $100,000 homes and multi-million dollar homes.
• People with all levels of education, all types of professions, and from all geographic areas – all of them turning to metal as the way to end their roofing problems.

Roofing Cycles

Despite all of those demographic variations, what we often see as a commonality among metal roofing customers, is that they intend for their current home to be their “forever” home.

We refer to the life expectancy of traditional roofing materials as a “roofing cycle”. For most areas of the country, the roofing cycle is 15 – 20 years. Despite the warranties on asphalt shingles, the national life expectancy average has been documented by the industry at 17 – 18 years. Additionally, the cost of all roofing materials continues to increase year after year. Labor is increasing even more rapidly than materials, in many cases.

A traditional roof that costs $15,000 today may easily cost $30,000, or even more when it needs to be replaced.

For that reason, homeowners who choose long term roofs take themselves out of the roofing rat race. They avoid the cost of eventual roof replacement, as well as periodic repair costs. And they save themselves from the future effects of inflation and price escalation by choosing to invest now and avoid additional and higher costs in the future.

The bottom line is that, if a homeowner sees themselves staying in their current home through at least one roofing cycle, a metal roof makes good financial sense to them. It is an investment today to save them from even higher overall future costs.

Other reasons homeowners choose metal roofs include:

Complicated Roofs. Recent years have seen a return to very complex roof lines on new homes, away from the cookie cutter ranches and split levels of 30 to 40 years ago. While a steep, complex roof can add architectural interest and beauty to a home, the reality is that it is going to be expensive whenever it has to be replaced.

The costs of labor and insurance for roofing contractors are escalating rapidly. Therefore, complex roofs end up being quite costly and will be even more costly in the future with inflation. Metal roofs are a good choice to “do it once and do it right,” avoiding higher future labor costs.

Energy Efficiency. A home’s roof is most vulnerable to the sun’s summertime heat. That heat passes through the roof, heats the attic and, in turn heats the home, increasing air conditioning costs. An Energy Star metal roof, or metal roofs that include an integral airspace, will reduce attic heat gain and therefore reduce energy costs. Savings of 20% and more are often reported by homeowners. Metal roofs make great choices for homeowners who want to reduce their future energy costs.

Home Value. While homes have begun to increase in value recently, it wasn’t that long ago when we saw them decline sharply in value. During that time, homeowners with homes that were maintenance-free and included many upgrades found it easier to sell their homes, and easier to get the price they hoped for. A metal roof is always recognized as an upgrade and its maintenance-free appeal is very attractive to potential buyers, helping to justify a higher value when the home is sold.

Other Green Benefits. More homeowners are thinking about the environmental footprint they are leaving behind. Almost all of us separate out our recyclables, and have done so for many years. Now though, we’re beginning to realize the importance of closing the recycling loop by buying products made from recycled content. A metal roof is one way to do that. In fact, a Classic Metal Roof on average will use about 50,000 recycled beverage cans. Of course, the metal is melted down and completely re-formed before we use it!

Make the Right Roofing Decision for Your New Orleans Area Home

Every homeowner and every home has unique needs. A metal roof is not the best choice for all situations and, of course, for some home designs, a metal roof may not even be an option. However, the benefits of metal roofing are attracting more customers each year. We would be honored to discuss your own needs with you and help you arrive at the right roofing decision for you and your home. You can contact us, at your convenience.