Types Of Metal Roofing Materials: Pros, Cons & Cost

There are many options for homeowners in South Florida when looking to install a new roof or to replace an old one. Traditional asphalt shingles, cement tiles and clay tile and, growing in popularity, metal roofing systems. We will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a metal roofing system as well as the various metal roofing styles to help you decide which is the best option for your home.

Pros and cons of Metal Roofs

There are many benefits to metal roofs that we can discuss briefly but for a more detailed discussion, check out our blog about the benefits of metal roofing. Metal roofs are long lasting and durable which is particularly useful in the hurricane prone regions like Miami, Broward, Naples, Tampa, Cape Coral, West Palm Beach and Fort Myers. A traditional asphalt shingle roof will, in most cases, not be able to withstand the most powerful hurricane 5 force winds while a securely anchored metal roof will.

Metal Roofing Is Low Maintenance

In general, a high-quality metal roof, using standing seam panels that we will discuss later on in this blog, has minimal maintenance requirements. This means savings for a homeowner over time despite the higher up front cost metal roof systems have.

High-quality metal roofs are also energy efficient so as long as the metal panels are coated with a thick layer of high-quality paint. The paint acts as a protective layer while also reflecting heat off of the surface of the surface of the steel panels thereby cooling the roof.

Metal Roofing Is Resistant To Fires And Rot

Metal is also fire resistant and does not rot which assists with its longevity and serves to provide additional protection to the home. Minor roof leaks from cracked tiles or uplifted shingles can lead to degradation of the underlying roof structure which shortens the longevity of the roof and ads to the overall cost of other roof types.

Cost Effectiveness And Longevity

Metal roofs generally carry a higher upfront cost when compared to traditional roofing materials. Shingle roof in Miami typically cost 30% less than high-quality standing seam roofs and tile roofs are about 10% less expensive.

However, considering shingle and tile roofs need to be replaced every 20-30 years in Miami and very often incur repair costs, a metal roof becomes less expensive over time.

Exposed Fastener Metal Panels v. Standing Seam Systems For Metal Roofs

There are also cheaper metal roof options which we don't recommend because they use inferior exposed fasteners to secure the metal panels to the deck. These metal roofing fasteners are exposed to the elements, and while the actual metal will last for 70 years, the exposed fastener panels should be check every 10 to 15 years with defective or damaged fastener being replaced. This is an added maintenance cost to the homeowner which makes this exposed fastener metal roofing system not so cheap after all.

The Long Lifespan Of Metal Roofing

Of all the types pf roofing material, metal roofing panels are known to have the longest lifespan. However, other components of the metal roof system can affect the longevity of a m

How Long Does A Metal Roof Last?

If we are talking about a standing seam metal roofs, a metal roof will outlast all other roofing materials by as much as double. A well installed metal roof using Galvalume from a steel coil manufacturer like Englert will last up to 50-70 years. This is compared to asphalt shingles which have a lifespan of 20-30 years. Tile is around the same.

What type of Metal Roof lasts the longest?

As discussed briefly above, metal roofing systems made from 26 gauge steel panels with exposed fasteners will last a long time as long as the exposed fasteners are checked and replaced as needed. Otherwise, leaks will cause damage and result in the need for a replacement much sooner.

Factors That Affect The Price Of All Types Of Metal Roofing Materials

Because there are many different types of metal roofs, pricing can vary quite substantially. The first consideration is what actual material from which the metal panels are made. Metal roofing is typically fabricated from galvanized steel, an alloy of steel and aluminum called galvalume or 100% aluminum. Steel is a less expensive material but aluminum is more corrosion resistant and has a higher cost.

The second consideration is the thickness for the metal panels which are typically 24 or 26 gauge for an area like Miami and surrounding areas like Fort Lauderdale. Corrugated metal panels or a tin roof, for example, simply do not have the strength necessary to adhere to the wood deck when the fierce winds of a category 5 hurricane are pounding the surface of the roof. A thicker gauge metal roofing panel offers more wind resistance and requires fewer fasteners.

Fasteners are an important component that influence metal roofing costs. Concealed fastener panels are attached using clips that allow for more numerous but smaller sized fasteners. The clips can be made of an alloy or, for a substantial increase in price, stainless steel to help resist corrosion.

Considering standing seam metal roofs use concealed fastener panels, investing the extra money in stainless steel clips is unnecessary. However, roofing systems that use exposed fastener panels require more expensive anchors that are thicker and longer. If these anchors are not made of stainless steel with a self-sealing mechanism, then the longevity of the metal roof will be affected.

It is important to note that using high-quality metal roofing fasteners on exposed fastener panels increases the cost of the metal roofing materials and sometimes labor if many of them are necessary.

STANDING SEAM STYLE ROOFING

As briefly mentioned, a standing seam metal roof has no exposed fasteners which keeps the anchors protected from the elements.

Definition and characteristics

Standing seam roofs get their name from the vertical seam that is created when two adjacent panels are attached together either through mechanical seaming or a snap lock.

Installation process

Installing a standing seam roof can be quite time consuming and requires a skilled roofer with specific experience. Clips must be spaced evenly and correctly along the long side of the panel and the male and female components properly seamed together. Then, the seam is caulked to prevent the possibility of water intrusion.

In addition, specific angles require the metal to sometimes be cut and bent onsite in order to prevent leaks. Proper measurements are essential in order to make sure that you have full coverage of the roof with minimal waste.

For this reason, roofs that have a lot of different angles and surfaces connecting to each other (sometimes known as a 'cut up' roof surface) are more expensive because there is more material waste and a lot more labor that has to be done to ensure no leaks occur.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing Cost In Specialty Paint Finishes

Our preferred supplier for metal roofing material is Englert. They offer a the highest-quality paint finish available on their steel and aluminum coils. In addition, there is a huge selection of colors that are available. Typically, standard colors like white, bronze, grey etc., will be the least expensive options.

However, a homeowner can select more unique color options at a more expensive costs with sometimes longer lead times if they desire a more custom look for their home.

Chalking On Standing Seam Roof Panels

The quality of the exterior paint coating is also very important when it comes to the pricing of a metal roof. High quality paint like Kynar has a much longer warranty than standard electrostatic paint because it involves a more complicated process to adhere it to the metal thereby increasing the costs of the metal roofing panels.

Inferior quality paint will often produce chaulking in an environment like Miami where the roof is is exposed to direct sunlight that is both constant and intense. By carefully reading a product's warranty, the homeowner can determine what level of paint coating is being applied to the metal they are buying.

What Is The Cost Of Steel Roofing Materials?

Steel is a common metal used in corrugated metal roofing as well as standing seam metal roofing. Steel is a strong material but has its disadvantages in a climate as wet as Miami Dade and its surrounding areas. For this reason, it is often blended with aluminum to create an alloy known as Galvalume.

Galvalume is more expensive because of the aluminum its blended with but its benefits are that it resists corrosion better.

Advantages Of Aluminum Roofing Panels

What's The Total Price Of Aluminum Roofing?

High quality aluminum metal roofing is usually the most expensive option when it comes to metal roofing materials in south Florida used in south Florida homes. An aluminum metal cost anywhere from 15 -20% more than its Galvalume counterpart.

An aluminum metal roof, if its standing seam, costs between 13-15 dollars per roof square.

Aluminum Roofs Are Corrosion Resistant

Aluminum comes with benefits. In Miami and Broward, it is the preferred choice for homes that are located near the ocean water where winds carry salty air over the roofs surface causing corrosion and damage to the paint. Thanks to its corrosion resistant properties, aluminum painted with kynar will last a fairly long time without significant chaulking although the effect is inevitable at some point.

Aluminum Roofing Colors

Just like standing seam galvalume, aluminum roofing systems come in a large variety of colors from which the homeowner can choose. While the options might be slightly less than galvalume, any unpainted coil can be custom coated to a homeowner's specifications. However, be prepared for a long lead time and significantly high pricing.

Copper Roofing Is Attractive

Another material occasionally found in very high-end homes in South Florida is copper. Prized for its beautiful look which signifies wealth, copper roofs have an amazing look that shines when first installed and then turns greenish due to Patina.

Copper Roofing Panels Are Expensive

Be prepared for a hefty price tag though when it comes to a copper roof. The metal is extremely expensive with costs that equal double to triple that of galvalume roofing materials.

OTHER METAL ROOFING OPTIONS

Metal Tile Roofing Materials

There are other options that have emerged in the Miami market recently that are growing in popularity thanks to the stylistic benefits they can offer. Metal tile roofing is a metal roof that is designed to mimic the look of traditional flat or barrel tile.

Many homeowners and HOAs in southern Florida desire to maintain the traditional tile look of their home. The major issue with tile roofing materials is that they can crack easily when walked on or hit with flying debris. This can cause leaks that lead to high repair costs and damage.

In addition, it is very difficult to find specific tile styles and it can take up to 6 months due to supply shortages. Metal tile can be a potentially great alternative because it gives the homeowner the benefits of a metal roof including durability and low maintenance costs but maintains the aesthetic of their old roof.

Which is better: Metal Tiles or clay tiles?

Metal roofing has several other benefits with regards to clay tile. Besides not cracking, metal tile is usually significantly lighter in weight than traditional tile. This means that the roof is protected from warping of the trusses which can occur over time.

However, one of the downsides to metal tile roofing is that they very often use exposed fastener systems. It is important to offset the risk of leakage by making sure you purchase from a company that uses high-quality fasteners and to also ask your roofer to install a secondary water barrier should any of the fasteners fail.

Metal tile roofing also comes in a limited number of colors and styles although this is changing.

Stone-Coated Metal Roof Tiles

Another popular option are metal roofing materials with a stone coating. These are metal roof tiles that are covered with paint and stone granules. They have a textured finish along with the stone coating providing a look that when viewed from a distance looks convincingly like tile.

However, it is important to know that a stone coated finish can easily get damaged from the powerful winds and rain that Miami and Broward often experience. The elements strip off the coating leaving the exposed metal underneath which is not an attractive site.

Metal Roofing Materials Cost Comparison

To summarize, we can compare costs across the different products. The most expensive option is a copper standing seam roof followed by a high-quality aluminum standing seam or metal tile roof. The third most expensive option is a standing seam metal roof made from Galvalume followed by exposed fastener metal roofing made from galvanized steel.

Which Metal Roof is Right for Residential Roofing?

For our South Florida market, we recommend you stick with standing seam or metal tile roofing. Despite the higher upfront costs when compared to traditional shingles