When it comes to durable roofing, any professional and trained metal roofing contractors in Denver CO will tell you that metal roofs are the best choices you have. However, what if you opt for a traditional roofing look but need the high durability of metal roofs? An excellent alternative to corrugated or standing seam metal roofs are metal roof shingles.
The best thing about this metal roofing variant: you can adopt a traditional Denver CO residential look but you enjoy the benefits of a metal roofing material. Therefore, you can count on your roof to provide protection beyond 50 years -- the average expected metal roof lifespan. Know more about metal roof shingles in Real Estate Agent Sheri Koones' feature excerpt below.
What Are Metal Shingles?
Metal shingles are formed with an airspace between the metal and the roof deck. That airspace acts as a thermal break to stop the conductive flow of heat from the surface of the roof into the attic. (Think about what the dead air space between two layers of glass in a thermal pane window does.) Testing done by Florida Solar Energy Center showed high reflectance brown metal shingles were reducing heat gain by 40.9% compared to standard asphalt shingles. This is all because of the airspace between the metal and the roof deck. In cold climates there needs to be insulation on top of the ceilings as there would be with all other tiles. Steel metal shingles are made from steel that has a zinc or zinc and aluminum metallic coating on top of the carbon steel. This anti-corrosive metallic coating protects the steel from rusting. On top of the coating, manufacturers typically have a paint finish or an aggregate coating for added protection. Many metal shingles are also produced from aluminum and copper, which are inherently rust-free metals. (Continued)
However, just like any other roofing material, metal roof shingles isn't perfect. In fact, it has its own unique set of shortcomings. While using them will give your property a huge property value boost, they will share the common problems metal roofs made from tin, aluminum, and steel have.
Fortified Roofing has an excellent post about the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing shared by metal shingles, corrugated, and standing seam metal roofs. Learn more about them below.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal as Your Roof
Metal roofing provides many advantages, including the ability to withstand nearly any type of weather condition while keeping the home cozy and dry. Rain easily drains quickly from a metal roof, and snow can melt and slide off a roof very efficiently as well. Metal roofing can be obtained in various levels of quality, including roofing with fire resistance and the ability to withstand a hail storm without damage. Metal roofing comes in many different colors and finishes including the look of natural cedar shakes or stone. It is a very attractive roofing options for many homeowners. It can be expensive, but the durability and longevity it provides easily justify the additional cost. The disadvantages of metal roofing can start with the expense.
Although it is balanced by metal roofing's durability, it can be out of reach for many homeowners. Metal roofing is also typically more difficult - and more expensive - to install. Although metal roofing provides optimum weather protection in most situations, it can be very noisy during a rain storm or hail storm. A layer of soundproofing insulation along the roof may be required, which can add to the cost. (Continued)
When it comes to the three metal roof variants, are metal roof shingles better than their metal roof variants? True enough, they have their respective advantage and disadvantages aesthetically and functionally. Do metal roof shingles perform better than the best metal roof variant, standing seam metal?
MetalRoofs.org has an excellent post that compares the three metal roofing systems and their strong and weak points, which includes prices and other details. Read more below.
The Three Kinds of Metal Roofing Systems
Turns out, many homeowners are not even aware that there is not one, but three main types of metal roofing systems available for residential properties; metal shingles, standing seam, and corrugated or ribbed metal panels. Thus, there are three distinct styles of metal paneling, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the particular style of metal, you can expect to pay between $4.00 to $12.00 per square foot installed.
Why is there such a wide gap in prices?
On the low-end, there are corrugated steel and ribbed metal roofs with exposed fasteners that cost about $3.50 to $8.00 per sq. ft. installed. On the high-end, there are metal shingles, stone-coated steel, metal shakes, and standing seam metal roofs. These high-end systems average between $8.00 and 12.00 per sq. ft. installed.
Price per sq. ft. Vs. Price per Square
Roofs are typically measured and priced by squares. A square equals to 100 square feet of the roof surface.
In terms of squares, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1,200 per square of metal roofing installed. (Continued)
We believe it's equally important to remember this: metal roof shingles and other types of metal roof variants require the best installations to function effectively for any property. In this light, we recommend only working with Denver CO's finest roofers. If you have yet to find one, consider working with Roper Roofing to help you achieve the roofing installation results in the best way possible. Contact us today!
