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Asphalt roofing is so “meh,” while metal is gaining fandom from influencers, building officials and homeowners Key Points: Top building influencers and officials are touting metal roofing’s benefits for today’s homes. Metal roofing’s popularity is being driven in part by concerns about asphalt roofing’s performance, especially in extreme climate conditions. MRA shares videos and testimonials from influencers and homeowners alike about the advantages of metal roofing. Can a type of roof be trending? In the case of metal roofs, the answer is a definite yes. Top home builder and YouTube influencer Matt Risinger of Build Productions is a major fan of metal roofs and for good reasons. In his latest video, Top 10 Reasons to Choose a Metal Roof , Risinger points to the durability and longevity of metal roofs, their energy efficiency, fire resistance, low maintenance, sustainability, better shedding capability, curb appeal, and cost-effectiveness in the long run. Well-known builder and YouTube influencer Matt Risinger of Build Productions shares why metal roofs are far superior to asphalt shingles Well-known custom home builder Jake Burton out of Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri agrees. As a custom home builder with a large following, Burton recently released a video about Why Builders Prefer to Use Metal Roofing . He emphasizes return on investment and reduced installation time, plus the ongoing low maintenance especially compared to asphalt shingles. Custom home builder Jake Burton endorses metal roofs for his clients for the return on the investment. Even architect influencers are applauding the use of metal roofing for today’s homes. Architect and Build Show contributor Steve Baczek’s recent video showcased an innovative rainwater collection system on a metal roof as part of a building project in Cave Creek, Arizona.. In areas where rooftop rainwater harvesting is becoming commonplace, architect Steve Baczek explains metal roofing's benefits But metal roofing’s fan base goes far beyond social media influencers. Officials ranging from Florida Office of Insurance Regulation  to the Federal Emergency Management Agency  (FEMA) to Insurance Institute for Business and Safety (IBHS)  have come forward, citing the benefits of metal roofing. And yikes: IBHS has raised serious questions, saying that “asphalt shingles are failing American homeowners, and their durability has not advanced” (source: Palm Beach Post , part of USA Today’s Florida network).   The U.S. Department of Energy  has long recognized that metal roofs with advanced coatings—also  known as ”cool roofs”—can reduce roof temperatures by as much as 50 degrees. Cool roofs cut energy use, curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce heat-related illnesses and deaths. Even basic, unpainted metal roofs will reflect more solar radiation than asphalt roofs. Beyond influencers and officials, everyday homeowners are falling for metal roofing too, for how it protects and adds to the low-maintenance performance of their homes ( https://metalroofing.com/why-metal-roofing/testimonials/ ) “The reasons behind the increasing popularity of metal roofing are pretty obvious, especially in light of all the benefits it offers,” said Renee Ramey, MRA executive director. “From great style to long lasting protection from climate extremes, it just makes sense that today’s builders and homeowners are gravitating to metal.”

Make your dollars stretch farther when investing in this major home improvement project   Key Points Getting a new roof is a major investment. The pros say for the best return, make your roofing dollar stretch farther by considering overall cost of ownership. High performance roofing coatings and systems can not only help save money longer, they can keep your home more comfortable. Look for short-term installation opportunities as well as long-term maintenance cost savings.   A quality metal roof can save money over the long run by lasting longer, lowering maintenance costs and saving energy. Image courtesy of MRA member McElroy Metal Homeowners have inflation on the brain right now; everything seems to cost more, including home improvements. However, experts say it’s not only the sticker shock of initial project costs that consumers should be concerned about.   To make inflation-savvy decisions, homeowners need to consider how to make their improvement dollars work harder and lower their total cost of ownership over time. For major home improvement projects like re-roofing, that means factoring in not only the initial cost of materials and installation but identifying opportunities to reduce or eliminate ongoing costs and even recoup a return on the investment over time.   The roofing pros at the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) suggests five ways to help inflation-proof a re-roofing project, including:   Be your own powerhouse: Add a rooftop solar system   Yes, adding a rooftop solar system when you install a new roof increases initial upfront costs, but overall, it’s more affordable than ever these days to invest in one. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, consumers may save an estimated average of $136 on monthly heating, cooling and lighting bills , a positive long-term return on the investment that helps offset the higher cost.    Keep in mind that metal roofs are the best option for photovoltaic systems, greatly reducing the risk of a roof failing before a solar panel system does. The estimated lifespan of solar panels is typically about 20 to 25 years while metal roofs last for 50-plus years. That means the roof will easily outlast the panels, helping protect savings that can quickly be wiped out if the roof underneath the solar system fails prematurely.   Guard against ongoing maintenance costs   Roofing materials like asphalt, shake and clay tile can be susceptible to moss, fungus and hard-to-remove staining caused by organic materials, especially in wet or humid climates. They often require professional, regular cleaning which can add up to big expenses over time. Comparatively, cleaning a metal roof is often a DIY project and as simple as using a squirt of plain water and a dash of gentle soap to effectively wash away dirt, dust and other debris.   Up the insulation and efficiency Choosing high performance materials, coatings and installation methods when replacing a roof adds up to real dollars and cents: Research indicates that homeowners can save up to 40 percent on annual energy costs by simply selecting the right type of roof and paying attention to proper installation practices. Many cool metal roofs are ENERGY STAR-qualified based on total solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties, a term that describes how much of a material’s absorbed energy is released and emitted back into the atmosphere (versus causing indoor temperatures to rise). The Environmental Protection Agency estimates an ENERGY STAR labeled roof can lower roof temperatures by as much as 100 degrees F.    Check building codes in your area to make sure your insulation meets or exceeds standards and work with your installer to incorporate proper eve and ridge ventilation to save on energy costs all year long.   Look for installation savings   To save on re-roofing labor costs, experts say the fact is an old intact asphalt roof doesn’t necessarily have to be torn off and removed to install a new roof. Thanks to its lighter weight, metal is one of the only roofing materials that can be installed directly over asphalt. The benefits of doing so not only include preventing waste but realizing savings that comes from reduced labor and tear-off costs while increasing long-term energy efficiency. Also, keep in mind that heavier materials like clay tile and slate can require additional structural supports, upping material and labor costs significantly.   Plan for the long run Having to replace or repair a roof earlier than planned is an outrageously expensive and wasteful proposition. Quality metal roofs are estimated to last nearly two to three times longer than other material, can hold up to extreme weather like tornado force winds, hail and snow, and are designed to last 50-plus years, saving homeowners thousands of dollars over time.   More durable roofs also can lead to savings on insurance premiums. Some insurers offer discounts for more protective roofing materials like metal.   “Metal roofs are engineered to withstand the elements in every region,” said Ken Gieseke of McElroy Metal  Roofing and MRA board member. “The peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is better prepared for hurricanes, tornados, hailstorms, heavy snow and ice and wildfires is priceless.”

Especially in the aftermath of disaster, be on guard and do your homework to seek out reputable resources   Key Points After disasters, when re-roofing demand is especially high, beware of opportunists and con artists who try to pass off too-good-to-be-true deals and inferior materials. When re-roofing after natural disasters, advice to help protect yourself includes proceeding with caution, being patient and doing your homework. MRA offers important questions to help vet an installer before you hire them to re-roof your home.   In the aftermath of a disaster when needs are overwhelmingly high, take care not to fall victim to "too good to be true" proposals and estimates. After major hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters when the demand for home repairs, replacement and re-roofing is at its highest, MRA issues an important warning for homeowners to heed.   Disaster recovery and clean-up are challenging enough, but unfortunately, they can be made much harder by less-than-reputable opportunists and con artists who sometimes prey on unsuspecting homeowners, especially at a time when the demand for quality contractors is extremely high.   According to Renee Ramey, MRA executive director, with the high demand caused by disaster recovery efforts, homeowners need to be on guard for unscrupulous installers trying to pass off inferior material from unknown sources and offering too-good-to-be-true discounts or “deals.” MRA also offers expert information and advice from leading manufacturers and installers to help guide homeowners looking to repair or replace their roofs in hurricane and severe storm regions at www.metalroofing.com .   “Sadly, fraud happens in times of high stress, high demand and when homeowners are trying to get repairs done quickly,” said Ramey. “The best advice is to proceed with caution, do your homework and thoroughly evaluate any offers, ‘deals,’ or claims, especially if they seem to good to be true, because they probably are.”   Homeowners should be suspicious of any contractor who demands cash or full payment upfront, has no physical address or identification, steers you to a specific lender or tries to act as the intermediary by asking to file insurance claims on your behalf, or wants your personal financial information prior to starting the repair or lending process. Always make sure any contractor or roofer is licensed and insured, verify their web and physical address, ask for references, get cost estimates, schedules and other agreements in writing, ensure they have the right permits and try to get at least three different quotes to compare before starting the project.  FEMA also offers homeowners in disaster recovery areas additional tips to help avoid scams.   As a nonprofit trade organization, Metal Roofing Alliance helps homeowners find quality installers by working with member metal roofing manufacturers, who vet contractors before they are qualified to become an MRA member. Even so, patience and persistence are key; in times of extremely high demand and massive rebuilding and repair needs, lead times for good contractors can be very long and many are completely booked for months. However, to make sure a job is done well, it can be worth the wait. MRA advises that before a metal roofing project starts, good questions for homeowners to ask include:   Where is the metal roofing material manufactured? What type of metal is it and what protective coatings does it have? Is it verified for residential use? What kind of product and installation warranties are offered, are they transferable and how long is the product guaranteed to last? What verifiable safety, performance and environmental standards, testing and regulations do the manufacturer adhere to? What type of performance ratings does the product have for conditions such as severe weather and fire protection? What customer service support does the manufacturer offer should an issue, problem or question arises? How long has the manufacturer and installer been in business? What is their track record? Does the manufacturer have favorable reviews from other customers and credible, third-party business rating organizations? Are they members of industry-leading trade organizations, such as the MRA?   To ensure maximum, long-lasting protection for their home, MRA also offers extensive resources for homeowners to arm themselves with knowledge prior to investing in a new metal roof. The latest edition of the MRA Residential Metal Roofing Buyer’s Guide is now available for free via the Metal Roofing Alliance website.

R enee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) , recently received one of the Metal Construction Association’s (MCA)  highest honors —t he Larry A. Swaney Award — at MCA’s 2026 Winter Meeting held in San Antonio, Texas. Ramey was honored with the Larry A. Swaney Award for her leadership role in working to grow the residential metal roofing market. In the U.S. alone, market share for metal roofing has risen from 3% at MRA’s inception to now capturing over 17% of the overall residential roofing market. This top honor is bestowed upon an outstanding industry professional for their contributions to the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry. In her role, Ramey guides MRA’s focus on rigorous quality and uniformity standards and helps drive consumer and homeowner awareness and adoption in the U.S. and Canada by promoting the many benefits of high quality metal roofing. MRA works together with contractors, manufacturers, roofing coalitions, and industry partners to highlight the advantages of residential metal roofing as a sustainable, long lasting and resilient option. Ramey has served as executive director of the MRA since 2017 and has long been recognized for her leadership role in the metal industry. MCA also recognized long-time MRA member Rob Haddock, CEO and founder of S-5!,  by awarding him the Patrick R. Bush Service Award. This award honors the outstanding volunteer contributions of an individual from an MCA member company. This award was created to commemorate Patrick R. Bush, a significant and long-serving member of the MCA board. Haddock’s legendary career as a renowned metal roofing expert, inventor and industry pioneer spans nearly four decades, earning him a long list of honors including an early induction into the Metal Construction Hall of Fame. Renee Ramey (pictured left), executive director of MRA and Rob Haddock, CEO and founder of S-5! receive top honors from the Metal Construction Association Previous MCA service award recipients can be seen here:  www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards