Exploring the Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing

If you’re wondering whether or not to buy a metal roof it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of metal against other types of roofing such as wood, tile, and asphalt. We’ve put together some of the benefits and drawbacks of steel, aluminium and other forms of metal roofing to help you make an informed decision.

Benefits of metal roofing

• Life expectancy – With correct instalment, a metal roof should last the same time as your property, keeping out water, withstanding high winds, and easily allowing snow to slide off. What’s more metal can resist metal, insects, rot, and mildew. Some companies offer warranties against corrosion for up to 30 years and others up to 50 years. Protective coatings on modern steel roofs do a great job of protecting it from the elements and rust and provided it’s installed correctly, it’s way more durable than other types of roofing material.

• Weight – Metal sheeting is comparatively light in weight meaning that it places less strain on the building structures than other materials such as tiles. It’s also strong and can usually bear the weight of solar panels and thermosiphon hot water systems without any risk of damage.

• Appearance – Metal roofs are extremely versatile as far as colour and shape are concerned. For instance, your roof can have a traditional shape with gables or it can be shaped and bent to give a sleek, curved look. There are also a variety of options in terms of colour, corrugation, and even tiles.

• Speed of installation – Since most Australian roofs tend to be installed using large steel panels or corrugated sheets, an accomplished contractor can install a roof quickly. If a storm is on its way, then this fact alone offers a huge advantage over other types of roofing material. This speed also means fewer labour charges.

So that’s all the benefits of a steel roof now let’s take a look at a few of the drawbacks.

Steel Roofs – the Cons

• Cost – the largest downside of metal roofs is that it costs more upfront for installation than other types of material. That said, costs vary depending on the type of steel used. For instance, galvanised steel will set you back around $20 per linear metre while Zincaloume ranges from $15-30. With installation added on, you can expect to pay around $50-70 for metal roofing per square metre. Because of its long-term durability, you save money if you stay in your property for a long time and also you save on seasonal maintenance. But if you plan on moving within a couple of years, then there is every chance that you won’t see a return on your investment.

• Noise – Some people love to hear the sound of rain pounding on their roof whereas others liken it to living inside a drum. Living beneath a thin metal roof is going to be noisier in a hail storm than living beneath tiles – fact.

Ensuring that you have a good metal supplier and a fitter who understands steel properties and its behaviour, is key to having a well-fitting roof that will last you for many years to come.