Standing seam metal roofing systems are one of the top-performing systems in roofing when it comes to overall protection, cost, and style. There are many pros and a couple of cons of standing seam metal roofing systems compared to other roofing options, but in an area that is frequent with large storms and high winds, the answer to which roof is superior becomes clear. The standing seam metal roofing system will protect you, your family, and your property for years to come, all while maintaining a beautiful roof. Let’s dive right into discussing the advantages and disadvantages of this roofing system.
Advantages
Lifetime
A standing seam metal roof is extremely durable and can brave the elements for an average of 50 years under the right circumstances. Metal roofing provides additional strength to your roof, in return providing additional protection to your home. As mentioned by State Farm Insurance, “Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.” This is a dramatic difference in the lifespan of asphalt shingle roofs versus a standing seam metal roof. On average a standing seam metal roofing system will last 3 times longer than an asphalt shingle roofing system.
Energy Efficiency
Metal roofs are more energy efficient than traditional asphalt shingle roofs due to the materials. Contrary to asphalt shingles, metal roofs will reflect the sun’s rays, resulting in a more energy-efficient home. State Farm Insurance states, “Metal roofs reflect the sun’s UV and infrared light rays that contribute to roof surface radiant heat, which can result in a 10-25% reduction in cooling costs.” As the cost of living continues to rise, why should your energy bill? A standing seam metal roof will assist in keeping your home as energy efficient as possible.
Curb Appeal
A standing seam metal roof is a beautiful addition to any home. While it provides extra protection to your family and belongings, it also gives your home an increased curb appeal. Metal roofing will make your house and roofline pop, becoming the neighborhood envy. There is a distinct look to a standing seam metal roof, giving a clean, defined look to any home’s roof. An asphalt shingle roof will immediately increase the curb appeal of your home, but over time the algae-resistant coating will wear off, algae and mold will grow which will leave your roof discolored, and colors will fade. Unlike asphalt shingle roofs, a standing seam metal roof will immediately increase your home’s curb appeal but will hold its original beauty and color for years and years to come.
Increasing Your Home Value
Metal roofing, especially standing seam metal roofs can cost a substantial amount more than an asphalt shingle roof due to the initial costs and durability of this system. Many people look at a standing seam metal roof as a costly upgrade to their family’s home, but contrary to traditional thinking, a standing seam metal roof will increase the value of your home because of the investment cost it takes to install a standing seam metal roof. As mentioned by Western State’s Metal Roofing, installing a standing seam metal roofing system on a residential home can “…increase in your home’s value is 1% to 6%.” The average home value in Texas is currently $257,628, a statistic by 247wallst.com. This means installing a standing seam metal roof on an average residential property in Texas will increase your property value by $2,570 to $15,450! Although this figure may seem small compared to the cost of installing a new standing seam metal roof, in reality, any increase in your home’s value is a win! A new asphalt shingle roof will not increase your home’s value, but rather hold the value of your home so this point of negotiation cannot be argued during closing by the buyers to lower the value of your home, a commonly seen practice by home buyers in the market. A standing seam metal roof is an excellent selling point to increase your home value over the market price of your property!
Color Choices
Manufacturers are limiting the production of many colors of shingles due to the supply chain issues and unreliable transportation of raw materials to produce shingles, in return limiting the consumer’s choices when it comes to roof colors. Unlike asphalt shingles, metal roofing can be painted and coated with a variety of colors. Metal roofing offers colors that shingles simply cannot offer due to the limitations of the asphalt shingle production process.
Solar Panels
Standing seam metal roofing systems are a perfect choice if you are considering installing solar panels on your home at any time in the future. A standing seam metal roof will be the longest-lasting residential roofing system, and durability is key when installing solar panels. The installation cost for installing solar panels on a home is extremely high, and if the home needs a new roof, reinstallation costs are just as expensive. When planning for solar, you need to also plan for a roof that will last as long as your solar panels will to avoid costly expenses in the future.
Disadvantages
Cost
Through our experience in the roofing industry, we have found that metal roofs vary in pricing due to different materials, but on average an exposed fastener R-panel metal roofing system is about twice as expensive as an asphalt shingle roof and a standing seam metal roofing system is about three times as expensive as an asphalt shingle roof. To confirm our findings, stated in an article by State Farm Insurance, “Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials. While the life of a metal roof is much longer, investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.”
Color Matching Repairs
A properly installed standing seam metal roof will need little to no repairs over the lifetime of the roof, but if repairs are necessary, matching the color of the metal panels is close to impossible. Due to the wear over years of sitting on your roof and constant exposure to the sun’s UV rays, metal panels will slightly change color over time. With this being the case, if a panel needs to be repaired or replaced, the new metal will not resemble this same weathered color.
Noise
The most commonly asked question when it comes to metal roofing systems is, “Is it loud when it rains?”. This answer depends on the house the roof is installed on, but it is louder than a traditional asphalt shingle roof. The metal materials produce a louder sound than asphalt shingle roofs when rain falls hard. This can be corrected by adding additional insulation and upgraded underlayment, but in turn will result in an increased cost of materials.
Conclusion
A standing seam metal roofing system is extremely durable to protect you, your family, and your belongings for years to come all while maintaining a beautiful-looking roof. This upgraded roofing material will provide increased protection, energy efficiency, and more color options, all while increasing the value of your property. The initial investment required to properly install a standing seam metal roof with quality materials is costly but will pay off for years to come proving to be an excellent investment to be made into your home.