What Is Metal Roofing?

When it comes to metal roofing, I often get asked what is metal roofing and why it would work well for a residential application. It’s no surprise that Americans continue to name asphalt shingles as their #1 choice in roofing, covering nearly 4 out of 5 homes, but in recent years, metal roofs have surged in popularity due to their many benefits and available wood shake-inspired, feature-rich colors. For anyone considering a new roof, you should be aware of the facts about metal roofing!

Table of Contents

This guide walks you through everything you’re going to want and need to know about metal roofing, from material and style options to how the material compares to shake or composite roofing in terms of its lifecycle, to help you make an informed purchase.

Defining Metal Roofing

The short answer to the question of what metal roofing is is simple and easy; it’s a covering, specifically the one made out of metal panels and tiles, and it is installed with the purpose to be durable, (relatively) lightweight, impervious to weather, and also a nice thing to look at on top of all that. Believe it or not, metal roofing’s durability and endurance ensure it outlasts other types of roofing- namely, asphalt and wood-employing some metals like steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc.

Product details may vary, but metal roofs can be designed to resemble shingles, slate, clay tiles, or veer to the ultra-modern with standing seam panels. This feature allows homeowners to get to have their cake and eat it too -great looks and designed to work perfectly.

Why Homeowners Choose Metal Roofing

Metal roofing isn’t just about looks; it solves a centuries-old problem that has plagued other materials for a long time. So what are some of the most compelling reasons why homeowners choose metal?

Longevity

Asphalt shingles will provide you 1with 5–20 years of protection, and a metal roof will provide 40–70 years. They are also long-lasting, making them an investment rather than a short-term cost.

Durability

Metal roofs do not crack, shrink, or erode. It’s built to withstand storms and weather events such as heavy rain and hail, as well as snow and hurricane-force winds — a crucial feature for Florida homeowners.

Energy Efficiency

Metal reflects rather than absorbs — solar heat, which can in turn lower the cost of cooling by 10% to 25%. And in Florida’s warm weather, that efficiency really pays off.

Low Maintenance

While wood requires regular treatments and shingles can rot, metal roofs require hardly any maintenance to remain in good shape.

Eco-Friendliness

A lot of metal roof products include recycled content and can be recycled again at the end of their use spans.

Types of Metal Roofing

When you go metal, there are so many materials & styles to choose from! Each option has unique benefits:

Steel Roofing – Long-lasting, cost-effective, and available in a variety of colours.
Aluminum Roofs – They are a great choice as it is both lightweight and do not rust – perfect for the Florida coast.
Durable & Unique looking – Will develop a patina over time.
Zinc Roofs Long-lasting – non-corrosive, self-healing when scratched.

Homeowners also have a multitude of design styles to choose from, ranging from:

Standing Seam Metal Roofing – Panels with Jaunts creating a flat seam for a sleek look.
Metal Shingles – Get the look of slate, tile, or asphalt with the durability of metal.

Corrugated Metal Panels – Primarily used on farms and ranches, but people are finding new ways to use them inside of homes.

Cost Considerations

When you’re considering what metal roofing is compared to others, cost can be one of the determining factors. Metal roofing tends to be more expensive than asphalt shingles. The cost varies depending on material, design, and how labor-intensive you want the installation to be, but most homeowners pay between $8,000 $20,000 to install it in their home.

But there is a lot to be said for long-term value. (Beyond saving you money, steel roof owners enjoy a host of additional benefits.) And due to less replacement, lower maintenance, and better energy efficiency, over time, many homeowners find that metal roofs are near a positive bottom line in terms of cost.

Installation Process

Metal roofing is an exact science and should be installed by a reputable contractor. A good installation means the roof will be good for decades. The steps typically include:

Inspection & Removal – Inspecting if a previous roof system (if applicable) and its parts need to be removed.
Underlay Install – Applying a first defence against elements.
Panels / Shingle Attachment – The appropriate attachment of metal panels/shingles to the roof deck.
Seaming & Flashing – The protection of edges, valleys, and penetrations for water security.
Inspection and Testing – Verification of a safe and quality installation.

Roofers and roofing services. You also need a certified and reliable roofer, which can be found on NextDoor Exterior Solutions. Improperly installing a metal roof could void its warranty or reduce its life expectancy.

A Metal Roof Over The Years

It’s not just installation that a homeowner cares about; they’re interested in understanding how their roof will perform over time. Metal roofs really beat out other materials because:

Wet and Rot – It has no water absorption as wood does.
Insect Resistant – A steel building that is just as resistant to bugs!
Fire protective – Because Metal is non-flammable, adding Fire protection also becomes very easy.
Typical Damage – Whenever a storm comes through that you have damage is something you can have, and people with this type of porch have reported high wind and debris damage.

Most come with 30- to 50-year warranties, because that’s how durable they are.

Design and Curb Appeal

One thing I hear often: A misconception that metal roofs are relegated solely to industrial or uber-modern homes. The truth is that today, metal roofing color options are practically limitless, and the range of profiles and textures is much more varied than you may realize. Whether you prefer a traditional look or a modern one, with its scalloped ridges while Metal Roofing can work in just about any home.

A lot of homeowners, in fact, can have more curb appeal and enjoy selling their houses at a premium after they have installed a metal roof.

The Best Metal Roof for Your Home: What to Look for

In order to choose the right metal roof for your home, you need to evaluate what is available in the market.

There is a lot to think about when figuring out what type of metal roof is right for your building.

Climate – Homes with a coastline nearby are likely to benefit the most from an aluminum fence, as it can withstand saltwater-based corrosion and outlive your outdoor furniture and anything else that has steel in it.
Cost – steel and aluminium are at the lower end, whereas copper and zinc are at the higher end.
Style – If you need a more modern or vintage look, then its design will highly enable.

Long-Never Ever Requirements — If you plan to stay in your home for many decades, you may want to consider investing in a higher-cost material.

Why Hire NextDoor Exterior Solutions

Roofing is one of those items where expertise really does count. There’s from the bottom of to admin panel instinctive to set up near-future metal roof installation. Ever since our company’s establishment, NextDoor Exterior Solutions has accumulated a reputation for serving our clientele with only the best workmanship in metal roof installation, at is catering to all Florida homeowners. Their team is familiar with the unique weather challenges of the area and will be sure to recommend roofing systems ideal for high performance and aesthetics.

From our first meeting, all the way through installation and even with ongoing service, we promise you will feel confident in your decision to choose NextDoor Exterior Solutions for your metal roof.

Conclusion

So now you should know the answer to what metal roofing is. It’s not just a material you put over your house to keep rain and inclement weather out – it has additional benefits that are helping it become the worst enemy of the competition and the best friend of more and more Florida home owners. While the upfront cost is higher than many other kinds of roofs, nothing beats the durability and longevity of a slate roof.

Would you like to realize the advantages of metal on your house? Call us at NextDoor Exterior Solutions for a quote on our roof for all time.