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TOPIC: Cost of Metal

Roofing Quote of different qualities

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Hello, Here I am again to tell about my situation with a metal roof following Hurricane Katrina. As luck would have it, I was hit again by Hurricane Rita, and sustained additional damage to my house's roof, as well as roof damage to other structures on my property. I have had to search around to educate myself about metal roofing and all the related terms. My questions today are about gauge and PSI. Gauge seems to refer to the thickness of a metal panel...is that right? If so, what is the thickest gauge---24, 26, or 29? And would thicker gauge roofing panels cost more than the thinner gauges? Next, what does PSI stand for and can you give a short explanation of PSI? This may help other people who have come to this page. Here's some information I learned in my search of roofing. If I have something wrong, I hope the people who manage this page will correct me, so that we can all have good information. I am not an expert, just a woman sharing what advice I have been given. For the person who asked about stone-coated metal roofing---a company which had "Gerard" in it's name has a brochure on stone-coated metal roofing, and the brochure is available on a website. There are no prices in the brochure, but I have been told it is more costly than other types of roofing materials. I received a sample of the stone-coated roofing material in the mail; it was interesting, but probably not what I need. For those considering a metal roof, the manufacturers can give you a whole list of advantages, but there is more stuff besides panels of metal that should be used to install a metal roof the right way. Every item will have its own price, including the fasteners. Get a professional to come measure your house, to look at it's unique style and complexity, and then have that person determine exactly what will be needed to give you a quality metal roof. If you want color, that is available. I found local roofing contractors in the yellow pages of my phone book; several have ads saying they do metal roofing. When they came to see me for an estimate, they looked around, did some measuring, and gave me advice about what they would do for me. Two contractors went back to their offices to calculate the estimate amount, but one contractor calculated an estimated cost for me right there on the spot. To do the calculations, he used the measures, figured out how much of every item would be needed to cover the roof, and a pricing list, which he told me was the list insurance companies are suppose to use to determine how much they need to pay on an insurance claim. Now of course, the actual cost could be more when work begins, if they find a problem under my present roof. Get several estimates and opinions if you can, and then check out anything that you don't fully understand before you sign a contract. It does not hurt to check out what your Better Business Bureau has on file for any company you are considering hiring, as well as any governmental body that may need to give licenses or permits, or whatever in your city. Don't give anybody money until you are sure that the company is for real and they have acted correctly in making the contract. As in all else--buyer beware. I've also been told that at least two trained people should be working to install a metal roof because the metal can be heavy and difficult to handle. The metal also may need to be cut on-site to fit your roof properly. The measures may be expressed in a roofer's square. The total number of squares is used in calculating the cost and in figuring out how much materials are needed for your roof. When they put metal on top of an existing roof, they have used the term retro-fitting. Before you decide to do something like that, discuss what the extra weight might do to your property. I would not want to put up an additional new roof if it would be too heavy. The contractor who calculated for me on the spot brought this up on his own. Retro-fitting might save time and money, but if it is too much added weight, it could collapse or perhaps cause a foundation problem. The metal roof that I have now and that was damaged was installed on top of multiple layers of regular roof shingles. Nearly all the contractors I have spoken with, as well as a house inspector, have recommended that I have all the old roofing removed and start fresh with a new roof. This is probably what I need to do, but other people could have a smaller problem. If you have a whole in your roof or leaks, then you have a bigger problem and I wish you the best in getting help. I'll check back for answers to my questions and to see if the page-managers have any corrections to make to what I have been told. Good luck everybody, especially anyone from New Orleans or another Hurricane devasted area. Louisiana's leaders want to re-build and to come back as a better place.
Guest User

12/7/2005
We are here to educate and we appeciate a person who takes the time to understand and make a decision on good information. Gage- This is a hold over from the early days of steel making and defines the general thickness range the steel is in. The higher the number the thinner the steel. The problem is what thickness is being measured? The steel core, the metalic coated steel or the overall thickness with the paint. Then you also have American, Canadian and European gage limits that vary. The industry talks in in thousands of an inch in thickness today. They produce to an ASTM standard which allows for a tollerance each side and as manufacturers you can order it in as half tolerance or quarter tolerance. The tighter the tolerance the higher the cost but in critical materials it is used to control quality. Having said that gage is not necessaily the main strength factor, it is the design of the product and the testing it goes through. Choose a product that has been tested for wind and rain. PSI- The strength of steel is tested by streching the steel and the results are listed in two measurements as the PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) it takes for the steel before it starts to strech and the PSI it takes when it breaks. Yeild and Tensile. The higher the number the harder the steel. Some products in the lighter gage (thinner) use harder steel to get their strength. This helps with the flatter profiles in handling and keeping the cost down but really the thinner steel is harder to keep flat so the pre strech it called cold rolling. This provides better fastener pull through but the down side is that it surface crazes when bent too sharp and requires a good paint system. Retro fit- Certainly you are on the right track. The building codes now restrict the types and number of overlays and your existing roof was not to the current standard and should come off. Florida now requires that the decking be inspected and refastened to new standards. Ask to see the products wind uplift report which will disctate how the new roofing material is to be installed and will talk about the decking requirements. Squares- The industry has evolved by describing roofing size in multiples of 100 Square Feet. The problem with this is that differant materials have differant amounts of waste depending on the specific roof layout etc. Ask the contractors to tell you 1) How many square feet of roof area do you have to be covered and 2) How many square feet of each material does it take to cover it. This is the simlpist way and will allow you to better understand value and if the actual are differs between contractors, then you know someone has made a mistake. Labour- The number of workers depends on the type of product and the roof. Certainly a two storey steep slope roof will require more workers as will long sheets. Some of the modular panels can readily be installed by one worker however, typically a two mand crew is more efficient. I would suggest that you visit our web site at www.duraloc.com and you will see the types of modular panels that we manufacture and we have granular coated, painted, copper, zinc and stainless materials. Good luck.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

12/8/2005
Thank you for the answers to my questions and the explaining of terms. I am sure the reply was helpful to other readers as well as for me. My insurance company is giving me a terrible time in terms of paying for my damage. I probably won't have that many choices of what to do, unless I want to pay for most everything out of my own savings. I will visit the website you mentioned when I have some more time to do so. Thanks again, and Happy Holidays.
Guest User

12/13/2005
Good Luck
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

12/15/2005
Hello, it is me again--the woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a hurricane-damaged metal roof. I finally got reasonable money from my insurance company to sign a contract with a local construction company. My contractor has been so busy since the hurricanes, that it will be a couple of more weeks before he can replace my roof. However, the contractor said it probably won't take long once they can start the job. I have seen pictures of other structures this company put into place and those look real nice. This contractor was of great help with the insurance company. It is almost like he became my representative and negotiated for me with my insurance company. The contractor has 18 years of experience,so he will take care of getting all the materials (in the right amounts) for the new roof and he is going to have his crew inspect the decking under all the present roofing materials. If he does everything he is saying, I should end up with a good result. I am looking forward to that day. Thank you to all who answered my questions at this website. Inspite of all the problems in Louisiana, our Governor keeps saying that "Louisiana is open for business." If any construction companys want to set-up in Louisiana, there are plenty of areas in need of construction services and plenty of people still needing new places to live. The state still has good food, music, sports, churches, schools, shopping centers, police & fire departments, medical facilities, airports, etc., and New Orleans even pulled off a small Mardi Gras that included visitors. Trailors are coming, but this hasn't helped the displaced people very much.
Guest User

3/15/2006
Thanks for the reply and good luck.
Allan Reid
Dura-Loc Roofing Systems, Inc.

3/16/2006
Could you give me that information as well. Thanks, Karen
Guest User

10/9/2006
Todd, I read your response to an email inquiry about the cost of a metal roof at metalroofing.com. You offerred to send several articles regarding cost and the quality of metal roofing. I am considering installing a metal roof and would appreciate a copy of the articles too. Could you please snd them to me at [email protected]. Thank you
Guest User

10/11/2006
sure Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/11/2006
Hi Janice, I am about to build a new home close to Baton Rouge and am looking for a good contractor to install a metal roof. Sounds like you've found one. Could you e-mail information to me? [email protected] Thanks, Lee
Guest User

10/12/2006
. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/12/2006
Could you send me the article you referenced in your August 27th post. Thanks
Guest User

11/28/2006
You will need to email to me at [email protected] so that I can have your email address. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/30/2006