Frequently Asked Questions

There are typically several signs that a roof might be failing. Here are some things that you can look for without using a ladder:

1. Use binoculars to check around the chimney, trim and other flashings for signs of cracks or shingles that are coming up off the roof and general wear
2. For homes with asphalt shingles, look for dark areas indicating cracking shingles
3. If you have a home with wood shake or shingles, look for pieces that are curled upward,split, broken off or missing
4. For homes with slate roofs, look for cracked or missing shingles
5. Look for heavy wear around the valleys, the place where water runs off the roof into the gutters
6. Look at the materials around the chimney and vent pipes and check for cracks, gaps and missing or fractured caulking
7. Check eave overhangs for water damage
8. Conduct an interior inspection for stained or discolored ceilings, which may indicate roof problems
9. Inspect the attic to look for damp insulation or mold, which can indicate water damage from a leaky roof
10. View the roof both close up and at a distance. You may see something from across the street that’s not visible in your front yard

If you find your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, hire a licensed and insured contractor to handle the work. Click here to Find a Metal Roofing Contractor in your area.

Because metal roofing is a premium home product, you can expect your new roof to cost roughly two to three times what an asphalt shingle roof costs. However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less.

No matter what kind of metal roofing style you choose, you'll never have to worry about your roof again. Most come with a true 30 to 50 year warranty. Plus, your new metal roof will add to the resale value of your home, save you money on your energy bills, and give you peace of mind that you'll likely never have to re-roof again.

Today's residential metal roofing is made to look like common roofing material - such as asphalt shingle, cedar shake, clay tile or slate roofing - only stronger and more durable. Click here to see metal roofing's wide variety of styles, colors and patterns - there's certain to be a style and finish to match your home and neighborhood.

You can expect a metal roof to last at least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 30 to 50+ years since metal roofs can often be repainted versus replaced.

To put it in context, the average lifespan of an asphalt roof is 12 to 20 years. That lifespan can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose.

Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates.

All of the above roofing materials are well-outlasted by metal roofing, which retains its good looks and durability decade after decade after decade.

There is little difference between metal and other materials when it comes to noise from rain or hail. Normal attic insulation also absorbs most of the sound.

A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hail storms and even wildfires. Metal roofing has a 140-mph wind rating, meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour. Under high wind conditions, says architect Rich Carroll, "Metal roofing systems have wind resistance and uplift resistance that is above the new building code requirement. That gives us a sense of relief in that we can use the best material to meet those criteria."¹

In locations that see heavy snow, metal roofing has been the choice of homeowners for years. It sheds snow fast, which protects the structural integrity of the roof.

If you live in a part of the country that is prone to wildfires, metal roofing can protect your home should burning embers land on your roof.

Not only is metal roofing great for your home, it's great for the environment. The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 28% and is completely recyclable at the end of it’s lifespan. This make metal roofing a green building material.

According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end, they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City again, then on to Chicago.

That's a lot of wasted asphalt. But because a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what's already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive shingle waste.

You'll be surprised to learn that a metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. With metal roofing weight on a structure is never an issue.

As a consortium of manufacturers, suppliers and contractors, the Metal Roofing Alliance does not sell products nor do we produce a catalogue. View the wide range of metal roof styles, types and materials available in our Gallery section. You may also want to contact a local MRA Member Contractor to discuss the best options for your home or view a list of our Manufacturer members.

Your local MRA Member Contractor will be glad to help. Before providing an accurate estimate, the contractor will need to know two things:

1. The style of metal roofing you'd like for your home
2. The shape and pitch of your home's roof

A contractor will need to see your roof first-hand before he'll be able to accurately estimate. In fact, the shape and pitch of your roof will influence the estimated installation cost more than the style of metal roofing you choose. Other items that your contractor will look at that will directly impact their estimate are property qualities such as staging area, material storage, hips and valleys, etc.

To get a true estimate, click here to Find a Contractor in your area.