Talk to me about metal roofs?

[frugalmama]

I just discovered our roof is leaking, and since we are going to have to replace the entire roof I'm debating going with a metal roof.

We live in south texas fwiw, and often get lots of rain sometimes with hail. Sometimes no rain for months though. We have one skylight, but I'm open to taking it out if it makes it cheaper.

what are the benefits, etc of a metal roof? Problems?

[gmvh]

I'm sorry I don't know any particulars but we're planning on a metal roof when this one needs to be replaced. I believe they last longer and can be recycled when they do need to be replaced.

[HeatherAtHome]

And you'd think they'd be quicker to install...

We'll need a new roof in a couple years and I've been thinking about it too.

[SleeplessMommy]

Metal roofs cost more to install. That is the only reason they are not used on 100% of homes. Standing seam metal is the way to go, could last 75 years or more.

In TX there are several major benefits to metal roofs:
* Possible homeowners insurance discount - significantly reduced risk of roof damage by high winds, hurricanes, forest fire.
* A light or medium color metal roof does a great job of reflecting heat from the sun, reducing summer AC usage.
* Federal tax credit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?...edits.tx_index
* Possible local incentives: http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?State=TX
* If you decide to install solar electric (PV) at a later date there are "peel and stick" solar panels which can be applies directly to a metal roof, reducing installation costs.

When out home needs a new roof, I will be getting a white metal roof on the back half (can't be seen from the street) for maximum energy savings. For the front, there are many metal roof products with the appearance of shingles.
http://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com/

[Llyra]

Have they devised some way to insulate sound from metal roofs? I don't know much about this, but my DH's grandparents' home has a metal roof, and when it rains, it sounds like a bazillion giants stamping their feet on the roof, and after a few hours, it can pretty nearly drive you crazy. You can't even hear yourself talk. Now, they installed theirs in the 60s, so I'm guessing there have been improvements, right? 'Cause otherwise, the noise factor would be a serious issue for me.

[Mosaic]

Originally Posted by Llyra

Have they devised some way to insulate sound from metal roofs? I don't know much about this, but my DH's grandparents' home has a metal roof, and when it rains, it sounds like a bazillion giants stamping their feet on the roof, and after a few hours, it can pretty nearly drive you crazy. You can't even hear yourself talk. Now, they installed theirs in the 60s, so I'm guessing there have been improvements, right? 'Cause otherwise, the noise factor would be a serious issue for me.

Ditto that. Surely they've done something to improve the noise factor, because it is downright insane. When it rains, you need to yell to talk to people, no joke.

Not just rain, but have you ever heard birds or animals walking around on a metal roof? Holy schamoly, tiny feet with tiny claws make for a very big TACKA-TACKA-TACKA-TACKA sound alllll along your roof. One summer an iguana served as my alarm clock for walking across that friggin' roof every morning at 4:30.

So, yeah, provided they have some sound installation now as surely they must, I think it would be a very viable option.

[reducereuserecycle]

not all homes can hold metal roofs because they are heavy and some structures just can't support them...that is what my roofer told me

[wahoowhippets]

We are getting ready to put a metal roof on our home....they are actually lighter than shingles but last way longer...we are going with an exposed fastener system and will probably go with white as the color as it reflects the most and will lower our cooling costs . It is energy star rated, will also lower our homeowner's insurance and we will never have to replace it again!

[HeatherAtHome]

Originally Posted by wahoowhippets

We are getting ready to put a metal roof on our home....they are actually lighter than shingles but last way longer...we are going with an exposed fastener system and will probably go with white as the color as it reflects the most and will lower our cooling costs . It is energy star rated, will also lower our homeowner's insurance and we will never have to replace it again!

Do they have a link? I'd love to see info about this type of roofing.

[karne]

I have lived in a house with a metal roof, and didn't have the noise issue. I think maybe it was because there was attick over the entire house? Not sure. I love the look, but it is definitely a more spendy option than traditional roofing.

[Caneel]

Originally Posted by karne

I have lived in a house with a metal roof, and didn't have the noise issue. I think maybe it was because there was attick over the entire house? Not sure. I love the look, but it is definitely a more spendy option than traditional roofing.

Our cottage has a standing seam metal roof and we don't have much of a noise issue. In an absolute down pour, the sound of rain is noticable on the second floor. We do have an attic and there is insulation as well.

I believe we got an insurance credit/break for the type of roof as the agent asked very specific questions and we had to provide proof that it was standing seam (steel) as opposed to just the panel type that is nailed down.

[karkli]

I'm subscribing because we, too, have to replace our roof due to leaks and are considering going metal. This information is so helpful!

[krolissa]

We lived in a one room schoolhouse that had 100+ year old standing seam metal roof. The sound of rain on it was WONDERFUL but that's probably because we had a lot of insulation in the attic (we live in Michigan). We had a terrible storm with 130 MPH winds that took down a neighbor's silo, but our roof stayed put. It sure made some weird noises, like the house was breathing, but we survived. We had lightning rods on the roof with grounding cords but I don't recall the house ever being struck. The biggest danger was when ice would build up and then come sliding down in huge sheets, but that won't be a problem where you live. :-) It was a galvanized silver color and I think that the reflectiveness helped w/the heat in the summer.
A house down the street just had a copper looking metal roof installed. It took a few weeks to put in, but is absolutely gorgeous.

[Manonash]

We put a metal roof on our new construction house, and it leaks a lot. BUT, it was installed incorrectly. The attaching screws are exposed and are too close together and at all sorts of angles (which is important not to do apparently). We made the mistake of going with a dark roof and would not do that again. It causes a lot more temperature fluctuation within the roofing material and causes the screws to work themselves out with all the expanding and contracting. A lighter colored roof would have helped a lot with this. We would have also shelled out for the roofing that has the unexposed screws too.

As for the noise, I love it. It's definitely not loud. We have a large attic space though and decent insulation (well, on top of our ceiling anyway. The insulation that was attached between the trusses and the roof is falling out.) If I'm in the attic space when it rains, now that IS loud.