Metal Roofing Cost: Is It Worth The Money? By Ernest Jarquio At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Metal roofing has been used in commercial and residential buildings for a long time now. Over the years, metal roofing designs, structures, and colors have become a lot better and more attractive. Also, metal roofing is simply more durable compared to all other roofing system options that are present today. In terms of performance, that of the metal roof is definitely at par with all the others, if not better. It is in the actual cost of metal roofing where the debate lies.

Generally speaking, metal roofs are lightweight, elegant, durable and colorful. If you choose this material for your home, then you are in for a big treat in terms of longevity, sophistication, and strength. If these elements are important to you, then metal roofs should easily be your preference. But when confronted about its price though, it can become a setback for you.

Metal Roofing Cost

There are a lot of factors to consider. But generally, the cost of metal roofing is computed per square foot. Professional installers usually calculate the total area plus the roof pitch that users require, when applicable. For example, a total roof area of 6,500 sq ft, having a moderate roof pitch of 8 inches rise for every 12 inches run costs somewhere around $4.50 per square foot.

That amount already includes installation, labor, and all the materials needed to put up the whole system. The total contract value of that particular job would then be around $29,250. That means you are to spend somewhere around thirty thousand dollars for your house's roof alone. That amount is high, when compared to a regular asphalt shingle roof system that most American home sports.

Asphalt Shingles Cost

Taking the same project, but this time using regular asphalt shingles which only costs about $1.50 for every square foot, the total roof cost would be $9,750. And when that is compared to the cost of metal roofing, as much as $19,500 can be saved. But it's nice to look at the bigger picture before concluding that the good old asphalt shingle is your better option for a case like this.

The average lifespan of a metal roof system is 50 years, and that's with very little maintenance. Research has it though, that metal roofs can last to as much as 100 years if a good maintenance job is being carried out on it. On the other hand, the lifespan of an average asphalt shingle is only 10 years, and for it to last that long, minimal maintenance should be performed. Keep in mind that an asphalt shingle requires a great deal of a maintenance job for it to reach its maximum lifespan of 20 years.

Assuming you installed asphalt shingles for $9,750, you are bound to renovate after 10 years or so. And so you'll have to spend another $9,750 after that period of time, not to mention the additional charges of $1,950 required for tearing off the existing shingles in your roof in order to lay the new ones. Ten years hence, you'll be shedding out around $11,700 for renovation.

Looking At The Long Term

Now we need to match the cost of asphalt installation and renovation with the cost of metal roofing. In a span of 50 years, you would have changed your asphalt roofing for as much as 5 times. So that's an overall total of $68,250. You are now to compare that with the $29,250 that you have spent for on a metal roofing system. You see after 50 years, you are bound to save twice as much on metal roofing than the low-cost asphalt shingle roofing, which requires the lowest cash outlay initially.

This only goes to show that the cost of metal roofing redeems itself in the long run. If you are a homeowner who values permanence and endurance in constructing your house, then it is safe to say that metal roofing is actually the option with the lower cost for you. While you might need bigger cash outlay with this type of roofing system, it certainly is worth it in the years ahead.

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