You may have heard about one of the hottest products in exterior home improvement - the metal roof.  Perhaps you've even considered one for your home but you're just not sure if it's the best choice for you and your house.  When it comes to putting on a new roof, you have to make sure that you're choosing the right material for the job. You have to put in a lot of considerations to ensure that your new roof will last.  To help make your decision a little easier, here are some things about metal roofing you should consider.

The Basic Advantages of Metal Roofing

Metal Roofing Copes Well with Our Minnesota Climate

One thing to consider when choosing new roofing is how it will perform in the climate here in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area. The answer is that metal roofing can stand up to anything Mother Nature dishes out here in the Midwest.  In the hot summers you can save on air conditioning costs since it reflects the sun and heat away from the home. In the winter it will help keep heat in the home when it is paired with sufficient insulation.  And snow slides right off of a metal roof in the winter, so you do not have to worry about ice dams causing problems. If you're considering asphalt, keep in mind that asphalt shingles can hold moisture and snow, contributing to ice dam;  they also absorb the heat from the sun.

Environmental Factors and Metal Roofing

One reason we highly recommend metal roofing is that it's an eco-friendly choice.  Metal roofing usually has around 25% recycled material in it. It is also completely recyclable material, meaning any installation scraps as well as the entire roof itself can be recycled later.  And because it is lightweight, the existing roof usually doesn't have to be torn off, so you do not have to worry about adding waste to the landfills. And another environmentally-responsible benefit is the energy you can save on heating and cooling.

The Cost of a Metal Roof

Usually, purchasing a metal roof can cost anywhere around two to three times more than other roofing materials.  But that's just the up-front installation cost.  However, the cost of removal of an existing roof as well as anticipated  repairs on other roofing types should be factored in as well.  Plus, the expected useful life of a metal roof can be three times or more that of asphalt, so a better price comparison would be to stack up the cost of three asphalt roofs against one metal roof.  Metal roofs also hold up well in the face of storms and lightning strikes, which means far less storm damage repairs. Since metal roofing requires less maintenance, has a longer life span and also incorporates energy saving benefits, you're actually saving money in the long term with a metal roof compared to other roofing types.  In addition, many homeowners' insurance companies offer discounts for homes with metal roofs, since the roof is fire-resistant.

If it's time for a new roof for your Minneapolis or St. Paul area home, consider working with us here at Quarve, we are a St. Paul MN exterior home improvement company that can help you choose the best metal roof for your home.  We'll work with you to get the look you want, at a price you can afford. Make sure to check out some of the metal roofs we've installed in the past on our Pinterest page, as well as the metal roofing options of the manufacturers we carry.  For a free, no-obligation estimate, call us at 763.785.1472.