Metal roofing for a house: advantages vs. disadvantages & cost?

Question

I have seen some adorable country homes with colorful roofs that look like a tin roof. Is it cost-effective, and does it absorb more heat in summer or lose more heat in winter? Where can I find out more?

Answer 1

If you live in an area that has frequent wildfires, a metal roof can save you money on home insurance.  They act no differently than a regular roof as long as they are insulated.

Answer 2

I love tin roofing and I hear it last longer than regular roofs with shingles. Love the sound of rain on a tin roof. I would have it expect its very expensive my house is only 1500 sq. feet and I was told it would be around 15000 to do the roof in tin. There's nothing complicated about my roof either.

Answer 3

BigDog is right on the cost... BUT there is a trade-off in that a good STEEL roof has a 100 year warranty !!

We JUST re-roofed my brother's ranch (house, garage, and tool-shed) with steel roofing to replace 8 year old asphalt shingles.  It will save him about $400 a year on his insurance because he's in a rural area prone to wild-fires.

The heat gain / loss is negligable because it is applied over plywood and an insulated attic.  They DID pick a light color to reflect sunlight - heat in the summer because it gets HOT (100+ avg in summer).

Here are two sources:

http://www.cssbi.ca/Eng/products/residen...

http://www.westernroofingsystems.com/

Answer 4

It is sooooo annoying when it rains or storms or even SNOWS!  

Answer 5

heat lose and heat gain is a wash....make sure u check the gage of the metal....good metal roof will cost u about $ 500.00 per sq. installed...

lic. gen. contractor