Metal roofing vs. asphalt

rozbeezer · 05-31-2018, 08:31 AM

I will need a new roof shortly and am considering changing to a metal roof. Any suggestions or reasons to stick with asphalt?

joey2665 · 05-31-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rozbeezer

I will need a new roof shortly and am considering changing to a metal roof. Any suggestions or reasons to stick with asphalt?

I have a metal roof on my home and very happy with it. There is no noise with heavy rain as some had suggested to me and I never have to worry about racking the roof after heavy snow accumulation. The one thing I would advise is having snow dams installed over the doorways and garage so when the snow melts it does accumulate in front of the doors.

jeffk · 05-31-2018, 10:02 AM

I have had a metal roof for a couple years and love it. I was concerned about rain noise and as stated, it is not a problem. I went with a different style than the typical metal roof. It is a heavier gauge metal and has an epoxy bonded stone dust surface. It does not dump snow so snow dams are not needed. It looks like regular architectural shingles. People who see it do not believe it is metal. It has a life expectancy of 50+ years and will probably still look good toward the end of that time. Hail and fire resistant also. Metal roofs are MUCH lighter than asphalt so some of the roof carrying capacity is freed up for dealing with snow weight. It is screwed down and is more wind resistant. Depending on your insurance, you may qualify for a premium discount if you have a metal roof. If you sell the house it returns some of it's cost.

Metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt and the one I got IS more expensive than typical metal shingles but I am delighted with the appearance and overall outcome. To me, it was worth the price.

One thing critical to the outcome, get an installer that has a lot of experience with metal roofs and an excellent reputation. If it is improperly installed, problems can pop up, like leaks. You don't want a generic home handyman installing a metal roof.

joey2665 · 05-31-2018, 10:08 AM

Quote:

One thing critical to the outcome, get an installer that has a lot of experience with metal roofs and an excellent reputation. If it is improperly installed, problems can pop up, like leaks. You don't want a generic home handyman installing a metal roof.

Absolutely agree with Jeff. It is imperative to hire an experience metal roof contractor, do not use a regular installer that says they can do it, you will inevitably have an issue as they are completely different installs.

SAB1 · 05-31-2018, 11:42 AM

I had a metal roof on my camp and liked it a lot. Love how the snow slid off. When I rebuilt I went to shingles because the cost was cheaper and I didn't want go over budget on that item. If cost isn't and issue I'd go metal in heartbeat.

Greene's Basin Girl · 05-31-2018, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAB1

I had a metal roof on my camp and liked it a lot. Love how the snow slid off. When I rebuilt I went to shingles because the cost was cheaper and I didn't want go over budget on that item. If cost isn't and issue I'd go metal in heartbeat.

We have a metal roof and love it. Just be sure that no one is standing where the snow will slide off. It could be very dangerous.

Biggd · 05-31-2018, 01:36 PM

The main part of my house is metal but my breezeway and garage is shingled, which I just had done last year. The only thing I don't like about the metal roof is the build up of snow along the sides of the house from the snow sliding off.
I think if I had to do it over I would go shingles or, depending on price, the more abrasive metal that looks like shingles.

mneck1814 · 05-31-2018, 09:29 PM

We have standing seams at home and at camp. The one at camp was put on in 1997 and replaced a metal roof from 1940 that had never leaked and that sold me on metal. Dealing with the snow sliding off can be a pain, but as my dad always reminds me, at least I didn’t have to rake the roof before taking care of the snow on the ground.

bruinsfan · 05-31-2018, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggd

The main part of my house is metal but my breezeway and garage is shingled, which I just had done last year. The only thing I don't like about the metal roof is the build up of snow along the sides of the house from the snow sliding off.
I think if I had to do it over I would go shingles or, depending on price, the more abrasive metal that looks like shingles.

I agree. Our neighbor has a steep roof and wooden deck at the rear. A couple of years ago the weight of the snow and an added wet/ice storm caused the deck to fail and collapse. Unless you can constantly clear the deck, you may have issues. The snow does slide off quickly.

jeffk · 06-01-2018, 05:37 AM

In line with this, you can't have any bushes in the "crash" zone. The falling snow will destroy them. The sound as the snow breaks loose, slides, and falls can also be startling.

upthesaukee · 06-01-2018, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffk

In line with this, you can't have any bushes in the "crash" zone. The falling snow will destroy them. The sound as the snow breaks loose, slides, and falls can also be startling.

I have seen triangular wooden "tents" placed over bushes next to houses with good results.

Tents have been made with slats, and some with plywood.

Dave

Biggd · 06-01-2018, 09:21 AM

Another issue I have is because the snow can pile up so high against my house, 4' to 5', the bottom of my siding is rotted about 2' up and needs replacing. A job which I'm starting tomorrow.

SAMIAM · 06-02-2018, 05:29 AM

If you do metal...go with standing seam as opposed to the panels that are screwed down.Snow slides off much better.

christo1 · 06-02-2018, 07:22 AM

there are several different kinds of snow guards that can be installed to eliminate all the snow sliding off at once

joey2665 · 06-02-2018, 07:27 AM

Here is a link specifically for standing seem roofs.

https://www.snowguardwarehouse.com/s...w_wcB#pageId=1

Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Rattlesnake Gal · 06-04-2018, 10:54 AM

Metal roofs seem like a great idea. Long lasting beauty. If you have a nervous dog like we do, the snow sliding off the roof could be a real problem. Acorns would also fall into this category.

Dave R · 06-04-2018, 01:44 PM

I just replaced asphalt with standing seam metal on my farmers porch this weekend. I used Fabral and it was pretty easy work with only two "special" tools needed (beyond the standard sheet metal tools like left and right tin snips, and right angle grinder etc.). Came with great instructions too. I love metal roofs.

05-31-2018, 08:31 AM	#1
rozbeezer Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 24 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Metal roofing vs. asphalt I will need a new roof shortly and am considering changing to a metal roof. Any suggestions or reasons to stick with asphalt?

06-04-2018, 10:54 AM	#16
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,447 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Metal Roofs Metal roofs seem like a great idea. Long lasting beauty. If you have a nervous dog like we do, the snow sliding off the roof could be a real problem. Acorns would also fall into this category.

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05-31-2018, 10:02 AM	#3
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,130 Thanks: 201 Thanked 421 Times in 239 Posts	I have had a metal roof for a couple years and love it. I was concerned about rain noise and as stated, it is not a problem. I went with a different style than the typical metal roof. It is a heavier gauge metal and has an epoxy bonded stone dust surface. It does not dump snow so snow dams are not needed. It looks like regular architectural shingles. People who see it do not believe it is metal. It has a life expectancy of 50+ years and will probably still look good toward the end of that time. Hail and fire resistant also. Metal roofs are MUCH lighter than asphalt so some of the roof carrying capacity is freed up for dealing with snow weight. It is screwed down and is more wind resistant. Depending on your insurance, you may qualify for a premium discount if you have a metal roof. If you sell the house it returns some of it's cost. Metal roofs are more expensive than asphalt and the one I got IS more expensive than typical metal shingles but I am delighted with the appearance and overall outcome. To me, it was worth the price. One thing critical to the outcome, get an installer that has a lot of experience with metal roofs and an excellent reputation. If it is improperly installed, problems can pop up, like leaks. You don't want a generic home handyman installing a metal roof.

05-31-2018, 11:42 AM	#5
SAB1 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tuftonboro Posts: 1,165 Thanks: 182 Thanked 297 Times in 220 Posts	I had a metal roof on my camp and liked it a lot. Love how the snow slid off. When I rebuilt I went to shingles because the cost was cheaper and I didn't want go over budget on that item. If cost isn't and issue I'd go metal in heartbeat.

05-31-2018, 01:36 PM	#7
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 3,749 Thanks: 1,961 Thanked 1,070 Times in 675 Posts	The main part of my house is metal but my breezeway and garage is shingled, which I just had done last year. The only thing I don't like about the metal roof is the build up of snow along the sides of the house from the snow sliding off. I think if I had to do it over I would go shingles or, depending on price, the more abrasive metal that looks like shingles.

05-31-2018, 09:29 PM	#8
mneck1814 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hartford, VT/Moultonborough Posts: 95 Thanks: 25 Thanked 60 Times in 22 Posts	We have standing seams at home and at camp. The one at camp was put on in 1997 and replaced a metal roof from 1940 that had never leaked and that sold me on metal. Dealing with the snow sliding off can be a pain, but as my dad always reminds me, at least I didn’t have to rake the roof before taking care of the snow on the ground.

06-01-2018, 05:37 AM	#10
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,130 Thanks: 201 Thanked 421 Times in 239 Posts	In line with this, you can't have any bushes in the "crash" zone. The falling snow will destroy them. The sound as the snow breaks loose, slides, and falls can also be startling.

06-01-2018, 09:21 AM	#12
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 3,749 Thanks: 1,961 Thanked 1,070 Times in 675 Posts	Another issue I have is because the snow can pile up so high against my house, 4' to 5', the bottom of my siding is rotted about 2' up and needs replacing. A job which I'm starting tomorrow.

06-02-2018, 05:29 AM	#13
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,836 Thanks: 326 Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts	If you do metal...go with standing seam as opposed to the panels that are screwed down.Snow slides off much better.

06-02-2018, 07:22 AM	#14
christo1 Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 45 Thanks: 142 Thanked 14 Times in 11 Posts	there are several different kinds of snow guards that can be installed to eliminate all the snow sliding off at once

06-02-2018, 07:27 AM	#15
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,220 Thanks: 1,206 Thanked 1,007 Times in 648 Posts	Here is a link specifically for standing seem roofs. https://www.snowguardwarehouse.com/s...w_wcB#pageId=1 Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

06-04-2018, 01:44 PM	#17
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,974 Thanks: 246 Thanked 736 Times in 438 Posts	I just replaced asphalt with standing seam metal on my farmers porch this weekend. I used Fabral and it was pretty easy work with only two "special" tools needed (beyond the standard sheet metal tools like left and right tin snips, and right angle grinder etc.). Came with great instructions too. I love metal roofs.