Metal VS Shingle roof.....

specialk

Twelve Pointer
need to replace my roof in the very near future....been using shingles my whole life but see lots of folks going to metal.....pros/cons?...anybody here switch over from shingles to metal?
 

Part-time hunter

Ten Pointer
need to replace my roof in the very near future....been using shingles my whole life but see lots of folks going to metal.....pros/cons?...anybody here switch over from shingles to metal?

Metal roofing is very popular down here on the coast. In fact most of the really high dollar housing is only allowing metal roofing in their developments. We are in an older home built in the 60s and we went with one about 6 or 7 years ago and are very happy with it. They usually come with a really long warranty ours was actually lifetime. During Matthew we had lots of limbs, pine cones and whatever falling on it and it caused no real damage.
 

Dan in NC

Eight Pointer
Contributor
Metal for two years now. Wish I had used metal years ago. Was surprised by noise decrease with outside world. I had thermal windows installed 20 years ago. Didn't notice much change in road noise. But the metal roof has dramatically decreased it. Maintenance on roof so far $0.
 

Soilman

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I can't speak from personal experience, but from what I have been able to gather from folks who do have first hand experience with metal roofing, it is a bit more expensive, but last pretty much your life time, barring damage from high winds/trees, etc...which would also get ANY kind of roofing.

My "plan" is that when I retire and move into the home my last home, I want it to be as maintenance free as possible. That "plan" includes a metal roof that I will never have to worry about replacing.
 

skydog

Guest
I'll take the look and durability of a metal roof over a shingle roof any day of the week. If you can afford the bit higher upfront cost, I say go for it.
 

1SHOT1KILL

Old Mossy Horns
Metal roofing is the only way to go, IMO. Last forever (or at least 50 years) but it does cost more initially however in the long run it may be much more cost efficient if you compare the cost of 2 maybe 3 shingle roofs over your lifetime. It is also a little noisier it heavy rains, but once you get used to it, it can be soothing. Acorns or hickory nuts falling on it is loud though.
 

ScottyB

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
Get several prices......there are still some companies that want to rape you on a metal roof......There should be very little difference between shingles and metal these days
 

DRS

Old Mossy Horns
Houses that have a potential moisture problem or roof without proper venting due to slope of roof or type of venting can have some serious issues with water condensing on the underside of the roof(attic) during colder weather. It can even frost in the attic. How do I know, it happened. Dealt with the contractor, air quality specialist, even an engineer to try and find a solution. We had all kinds of other work done to try and solve the problem. Air quality specialist said all should be fine, still had the same problem, engineer said seal the attic off still had the same problem. We finally placed to turbine vents in the roof, in addition to a fan that is controls with a thermostat and a hygrometer. Haven't noticed any problems of late. You can search the web for some horror stories, that's for sure.

That said I do like the metal roof, but if we knew the issues we were going to have to deal with we probably would not have went that route. The issues I think were not enough slope (3:12), not a solid substrate roof, as the house was built in the 50's and the roof being hip and valley(only vented on the ridge).
 
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JFH3006

Ten Pointer
Replaced shingles with metal last year. Very happy with it so far. Price was only $500.00 more than shingles so went with metal.
 

Longrifle

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I installed them for years. A good installer who knows how to accurately will be slightly higher but pretty competitive with shingles and give you a much longer lasting product. I've had dozens of homes both in Florida and here that have been through multiple hurricanes, some direct hits...never had a phone call afterward. That rarely happens with a shingled roof.

The ones that aren't certified, the fly-by-nighters who saw it done one time and figured they could probably do it, will have enough left over metal to cover your garage. That's where a lot of people get burnt. If you have hips and valleys there's gonna be some waste, it's just a fact, but a good installer won't have enough left over to do your pump house unless you asked for it up front. If he does, make him buy it back.
 

hunter

Eight Pointer
Contributor
I installed them for years. A good installer who knows how to accurately will be slightly higher but pretty competitive with shingles and give you a much longer lasting product. I've had dozens of homes both in Florida and here that have been through multiple hurricanes, some direct hits...never had a phone call afterward. That rarely happens with a shingled roof.

The ones that aren't certified, the fly-by-nighters who saw it done one time and figured they could probably do it, will have enough left over metal to cover your garage. That's where a lot of people get burnt. If you have hips and valleys there's gonna be some waste, it's just a fact, but a good installer won't have enough left over to do your pump house unless you asked for it up front. If he does, make him buy it back.


Who does the certifying? The manufacturer?

Thanks,

Hunter
 

Longrifle

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
Yes. Around here that would be Union Corrugating in Fayetteville. They, and Consolidated, are the two major suppliers of metal in the southeast.....
 

hunter

Eight Pointer
Contributor
Thanks longrifle! Much appreciated as we will likely need a new roof in a year or two and have been thinking about going metal.
 

josh

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I live in an old house that has a newer metal roof that was installed over the old shingles, noise from rain isn't very noticeable. honestly I don't know how many layers of roofing are under the metal though lol, this house was built in the early 30's but has served me well for the price I paid for it.
 

obxfisherman83

Button Buck
Durability and longevity I would say definitely metal. There are certain houses though that metal doesn't look as good as shingles but that's my opinion


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Longrifle

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
If you're in his area I'd suggest talking with ncboman, I know he's a certified installer. If you're in Craven/Pamlico I'd be glad to lend a hand on smaller homes.
 

Trappertod

Six Pointer
I just went through this since hurricane matthew basically ripped my shingles off. Metal and shingle prices should be close in price. I went back with architectural shingles for several reasons. First and foremost, I don't feel the metal would have looked right on my house and match the brick. Next I kept hearing things about fasteners used on metal, this is where a good reputable installer would come in that knows what they are doing. Lastly, one of the members of the church I pastor gave me a really good deal on doing the shingles. I think it is whatever will work best for you in your situation, I was trying to stay within what the insurance allowed for the repairs on 2 homes on my farm. For me it was the 30 yr shingle, metal is also OK, it just didn't fit into the equation this time. Good luck with it, make sure it is something you will like for many years because every time you pull into the drive you will see it.
 

ScottyB

Old Mossy Horns
Contributor
I installed them for years. A good installer who knows how to accurately will be slightly higher but pretty competitive with shingles and give you a much longer lasting product. I've had dozens of homes both in Florida and here that have been through multiple hurricanes, some direct hits...never had a phone call afterward. That rarely happens with a shingled roof.

The ones that aren't certified, the fly-by-nighters who saw it done one time and figured they could probably do it, will have enough left over metal to cover your garage. That's where a lot of people get burnt. If you have hips and valleys there's gonna be some waste, it's just a fact, but a good installer won't have enough left over to do your pump house unless you asked for it up front. If he does, make him buy it back.

Spot on.....I had to order extra to do the new well house!!
 

sandhills hunter

Ten Pointer
I have been wondering the same thing and will be in the market for a new roof in a few months. Can any of you tell me how long it will be before rust starts to show and how long till the color starts to fade? Or is rust and color a problem?
 
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hunter

Eight Pointer
Contributor
Anybody have any recommendations, pro or con, on installing a metal roof on top of a layer of shingles?

Thanks,

Hunter
 
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