Metal roof or shingle

[Contractor K]

Depends where you live and your expectations . I am a state certified contractor in Florida. The codes are very strict and with todays technology I would go metal all Day long. Problem with shingles in a hurricane prone state is they could last a year or 25. Properly installed metal on a well designed roof would cope with a CAT 3 head on. Metal is nearly twice the price though and is only as strong as what you attach it to.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I am 74 and just had new 30 year architectural shingles put on. I love the look of these new GAF shingles. I should be gone before they are.

 

[JTK]

Not all metal roofs are maintenance free. Some have their hundreds of screws exposed. The rubber washers over time will detoriorate.Then you will have water getting by the screws.Then several hundred screws/washers will have to be replaced or you will get leaks. Sure they say the screws last a long time but they haven't been around long enough to be really time tested. In snowy areas, I have seen where an ugly long bracket has to be installed to keep the snow and ice from sliding down and off the roof to prevent injury. Metal roofing will also dent in a hail storm. Myself, I would never consider a metal roof unless it is an architectural one where it looks like actual shingles but that is very expensive. I would go with a high end asphalt shingle.

The two questions people always ask are, what about the noise and what about the screws. I know a lot of people in my area with metal roofs and I've never heard of an issue with either. Some have had their metal roofs 20yrs+ My roof probably has 1000s of screws. The rubber grommets (or what ever material they are) are shielded by a washer, so the majority of the grommet doesn't come in direct contact with the elements. Like anything else , I'm sure they don't last forever, but what does these days.

People tend to think allowing the snow to slide off is a good thing. It isn't. You can't move it once it hits the ground and moving snow/ice will peel off your plumbing vents and any other appendage poking through the roof. Your gutters will be on the ground as well. I originally had one row of snow bars installed on mine and they were damaged by close to 4ft of ice and snow that were on my roof at one point this past winter. I have them every 10ft now.

Talk to any commercial roofer in my area. You could use the most quality architectural shingle you can find and you will be very lucky to get half the years out of it that it is "warranted" for. Obviously this varies by climate. I live in ski country that gets lot of snow, but I am shielded well from wind and we've never gotten any bad hail.

The shingles under my metal roof were 40yr and installed in 2007. My gutters were filling up half way with aggregate several times per year and the shingles were very dry and brittle.

Rough cut true 1"x4" pine boards were installed over the shingles, then the metal to the 1x4s. The final result is very strong.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Love metal roofs me and my dad like to hear the rain hitting it. It’s very relaxing. Our second house that we had until a few years ago had a metal roof and I loved that noise. We just had a new shingle roof put on our house back in November and it’s holding up well. Doesn’t give the relaxing noise though. Of course some may not like the roof noise. Yesterday when we were cutting down trees one fell on the guys metal roof garage and didn’t put a dent in it if it would of been shingle it probably would of went right thru it. I’d say metal is definitely more durable.

 

[andyd]

I'm gonna have the house re-roofed this summer. Architects. Contractor and I worked on the same framing crew 50 yrs ago. When I first asked him, he said that I couldn't afford him. Indeed, his estimate was twice the low bid. But his estimate was much more inclusive. Steve also was the only one to actually get up on the roof and to check plywood from attic side.

 

[Yah-Tah-Hey]

Most definitely metal shingles if you can stand the cost difference.