When it comes time to purchase a new roof for your home, there are many options you may consider. While you may have had a traditional shingle roof before, you may find yourself drawn to a metal roof. Both options have their own set of advantages and drawbacks, but which one offers better value in the long run?

At Lifetime Roofing, we understand a new roof’s impact on your home. A new roof can significantly improve your everyday life, from increased energy efficiency to protection from the elements. But, if you’ve never considered a new roofing material, now might be the perfect time to research.

If you are considering investing in a metal roof for your home and want to learn more about how it compares to traditional shingles, keep reading. 

The Cost of Installation

Cost is among the most important factors for most homeowners when purchasing a new roof. A traditional shingle roof is far less expensive than a metal roof. When buying a new shingle roof for their home, homeowners can choose from asphalt, ceramic, composite, slate, or wood shingles. Asphalt shingles are the least expensive option at $4.25 per square foot, while ceramic shingles are the most costly at $24.75 per square foot. 

On average, a shingle roof for a 3,000-square-foot home costs between $13,000 and $76,650 with labor. Conversely, metal roofs tend to be far more expensive. The least costly metal roof option is tin, at $3 per square foot. However, if you choose a copper roof, you can expect to pay about $30 per square foot. Considering these prices, a metal roof for a 3,000-square-foot home costs between $19,500 and $102,000 with labor. 

The Expected Lifespan

While the cost of a new roof is an important factor, it isn’t the only thing homeowners should consider when making this decision. You should, instead, consider the price of your new roof in relation to its expected longevity and durability. While asphalt roofs are popular among homeowners, their expected lifespan is not nearly as long as a metal roof, and they are often far less durable. 

An asphalt roof has an average lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. Metal roofs have an average lifespan of between 30 and 50 years. While the cost of a metal roof may be more than you bargained for upfront, you should, with proper roof maintenance, be able to avoid dealing with replacements in the near future. 

Maintenance Requirements

A traditional shingle roof requires more maintenance than a metal roof. Shingles can crack, curl, and lose granules over time, especially when exposed to harsh weather, like strong wind and heavy rain or snowfall. If you live in a place with a great deal of harsh weather throughout the year, you may need to schedule more frequent repairs or replacements. 

Metal roofs, on the other hand, require minimal maintenance. They are resistant to many common roofing issues, such as moss and mildew, which can plague shingle roofs. However, if the roofs are poorly installed, you may experience leaks in your house, requiring immediate repair to prevent water damage. As long as you work with a reliable roofing company, you should be able to avoid costly repairs and replacements for many years to come. 

Energy Efficiency

When it comes to choosing a more energy-efficient roofing option, metal roofs tend to outperform traditional shingle roofs. Metal roofs reflect UV rays, which can lead to a 20% to 30% reduction in summer cooling costs. Shingles absorb more heat, especially darker colors, which can increase your home’s cooling costs during summer.  

Energy efficiency is not just about comfort—it’s also about long-term savings. Again, while metal roofs are more costly upfront, reducing your monthly energy bills may make them a more appealing overall option. Reducing your energy consumption lowers your utility bills, which can make a metal roof a more cost-effective option over time.

Resale Value

The long-term value of your roof is also influenced by how it impacts your home’s resale value. Homes with metal roofs often sell for higher prices than those with shingle roofs due to their durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency. While you may not be looking to sell right now, it is something to consider if you have plans to sell in a few years. 

Should You Invest in a Metal Roof? 

If you are looking to make a significant investment in your home, a metal roof might be a great choice. However, it is important that you weigh all of the pros and cons of metal versus traditional shingle roofs when deciding if it is best for your home. If you are looking for an inexpensive roof for your home, a metal roof might not be in the cards for you right now. 

If you are on the fence about whether a metal roof is right for your home, it is best to reach out to a team of roofing professionals for advice. They can determine the cost of installing a metal roof on your home, and you can decide if the benefits of installing it will outweigh the upfront cost. 

Finding Your Perfect Roof with Lifetime Roofing

While the upfront cost of a metal roof may be higher than traditional shingles, the overall benefits outweigh this cost, making it a great investment in your home. With superior durability, lower maintenance, and energy efficiency, metal roofs provide better overall value in the long run. If you are looking for a roofing professional to help you decide on the right roofing material, turn to our team at Lifetime Roofing.

With years of experience helping homeowners across Northern Utah find the perfect roof for their homes, we are confident that we also have the right roof for you. From asphalt and metal to flat and wood roofs, we provide a variety of roofing materials to meet every homeowner’s needs perfectly. 

If you want to learn more about our metal roofs or have any questions about making the investment, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

Choosing the right roof for your home comes down to functionality, appearance, and temperature control. Metal roofs are becoming more popular among residential homes for their durability and modern design. Lifetime Roofing offers metal roofs to our customers because they have many benefits and are much more cost-effective. Below are some benefits of metal roofs to help you determine if a metal roof is a right roof for your home. 

Low Maintenance

The right roof for your home is one that will keep you safe and dry without a constant need for maintenance. Metal roofs require less maintenance than asphalt and other shingle materials. Metal roofs will last for years when they are installed correctly and require little to no maintenance to upkeep. 

Metal roofs also are less prone to cracking and chipping which will help them look newer for much longer. Because they are less prone to damage, you won’t need to repair them nearly as often. 

Better Green Initiative

Most metal roofs are made of recycled materials and can help you have a more energy-efficient home. Metal roofs may be right for your home if you want to be more eco-friendly, lower your energy bills, and limit the amount of fuel needed to heat and cool your home. Metal roofs can reflect heat during the summer and insulate heat during the winter. If you are interested in going green, metal roofs have multiple environmental benefits. 

Longer Lifespan

Traditional roofing materials have a hard time withstanding extreme weather and consistent UV rays. Metal roofs are at lower risk of weather damage, peeling, sun rotting, and more, which means that they can often last for the entire lifetime of your home. The lifespan of a properly installed metal roof is around 40-70 years, compared to asphalt which is only predicted to last for 12 to 20 years. 

You Experience Extreme Weather

In places with high winds, hail, or high snowfall, metal roofs are right for your home. They withstand these conditions easily and will keep you safer while in your home. Strong and severe weather can lift parts of a traditional roof and lead to leaking or gapping holes during a storm. Metal roofs are more likely to stay intact and keep you dry and protected until the storm has passed. This will also limit potential damage to the interior of your home and save you money on repairs or replacements. 

Consider The Cost

With any home material, it is important to have a budget in mind before purchasing anything. Knowing your budget, or the ROI from the home project can help you make an informed decision. Metal roofs are an investment for your home and the installation cost can range between $3-$5 per square foot. If you have a multiple-story home, this will also raise your cost. Choosing the right roof for your home depends on how much maintenance you want to have to perform and if you can make the investment in a metal roof. 

Metal Roofs With Lifetime Roofing

When a metal roof is installed correctly, you limit the risk of leaks or repairs and they can often outlast your home. Our team at Lifetime Roofing offers metal roofs because of their benefits and durability. When working with a proper roofing company, you will have peace of mind knowing you have chosen the right roof for your home. 

Lifetime Roofing strives to provide the best materials and the best customer experience. We can install them on homes of different sizes, cabins, or businesses. Our work is covered by warranty and we can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed in the work that we provide. We serve the Salt Lake area, Park City, Bear Lake, and Evanston, WY as well. Contact us to move your project forward!

Many people assume that if they get a metal roof, that means that their house may as well be an oven come summertime. With how metal roofs are becoming more and more commonplace, many people presume this is a bad idea if you live somewhere where it gets hot, thinking metal roofs make houses hotter than their shingle counterparts. Are metal roofs hotter? The truth is, it depends on a number of factors.

Here’s what you need to know about metal roofs and hot temperatures and if metal roofs make houses hotter.

Will Metal Roofs Make Houses Hotter?

Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs do not make your house any hotter than any other type of roofing material. In fact, many would be surprised to learn that while metal reflects light, shingles tend to absorb heat, which can result in a temperature increase in your house. Metal roofs typically perform better in hotter climates than shingle roofs due to the fact that they reflect heat, rather than absorbing it. 

Metal roofs have a low thermal mass, which means that since they don’t absorb heat like asphalt shingles can, metal roofs make houses more energy efficient and can even help keep your house cooler in the blisteringly hot summer months. Provided that your metal roof has been properly installed and the roofing structure below works with it, you needn’t worry about if metal roofs make houses hotter. 

Factors Affecting Metal Roofs And Heat Absorption

There are a few factors that impact metal roofs and heat absorption. In order to properly understand if metal roofs make houses hotter or not, it’s useful to know all the variables at play.

Color 

Darker colored metal roofs will absorb more heat than lighter colored metal roofs. This means that the surface temperature of a dark metal roof is going to be higher than that of a light metal roof. This is true regardless of the type of roofing material you have, because darker colors always absorb more heat than their lighter counterparts. Dark metal roofs still reflect heat better than other roofing materials, but the same as a dark shingle roof, the surface temperature of the roof itself will still be higher.

Finish

How much heat metal roofs retain also depends on the type of finish they have. There are many different finishes for metal roofs that help them to reflect even more heat, so metal roofs make houses cooler, even if they’ve been exposed to direct sunlight. 

Sun Exposure And Weight

For any roof, the more sun exposure it gets, the hotter it’s going to be. However, as the sun sets, the mass of your roof is what determines how quickly your roof cools down. Metal roofs make houses cooler because they are a lightweight material, which means that they’ll cool down faster and keep the heat out of your house. 

Roof Structure

Your entire roof structure isn’t going to be made out of metal, just the cladding. The structure of your roof as a whole is what determines how much heat gets inside your home. If your roof isn’t properly insulated, then it’s only natural that your house gets hotter, regardless of the type of roofing material you have. In order to keep your house cool, your metal roof and the roofing structure as a whole need to be working together to keep the heat out, rather than let it in.

Ventilation

Another part of what helps metal roofs make houses cooler is the ventilation of the roof itself. An experienced roofing contractor will ensure that your metal roof is installed with plenty of ventilation, such as ridge vents, in order to let air circulate out of your attic space. Your house’s overall ventilation plays a major role in whether your house retains heat or releases it back outside.

The Biggest Factor In If Metal Roofs Make Houses Hotter

Ultimately, whether metal roofs make houses hotter comes down to the construction under your roof, the same as with any other roofing material. The fact that metal is lightweight and reflects light certainly help metal roofs make houses cooler, but if there isn’t proper ventilation under your roof, then your house is going to be hotter in the summer, no matter what type of roof you have. So long as your attic and ceiling are properly ventilated and insulated, your home will be able to stay cooler in the hot summer months.

Are You Considering A Metal Roof?

Lifetime Roofing provides high quality metal roofing. If you’re considering installing a metal roof on your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today for an estimate and consultation!