The National Roofing Contractor’s Association states that residential metal roofing has become much more popular over the past decade. Is it that the corrugated tin barn look has come into style, or did pixies and elves with metal roof stocks skew the results? No. The market now includes new types of metal roofs that look great while being durable, light weight, and fire-resistant. Once for the most part used for business and industrial buildings, metal roofs have found a new home…on houses.

Metal roofing materials have a number of other advantages. They’re quick to install and excellent reflectors of heat from the sun. People think metal roofs make the home hotter because if they stand on a metal roof it is hot. But that heat is reflected away from the home. If it’s hotter on top, it’s cooler down below the roof.

Most metal roofs are aluminum and/or steel, but alloys such as copper are also used. While the new metal roofs can mimic the look of other traditional residential roofing materials, some popular styles retain a decidedly commercial look found by architects to give a home clean lines.

Surely it is not all peaches and cream for metal roofs. Metal roofs do have drawbacks which each homeowner must evaluate in relation to the advantages. At about $150-$600 per 100 square feet, a metal roof is expensive. But this expense can be recovered if the homeowner stays in the home for a long time and a metal roof helps save on engineering and structural maintenance of the supporting structure. In a rain storm having a metal roof can be a little like living inside a drum. A metal roof is louder than other types of roofs. But sound deadening insulation helps minimize this noise. Just like it can a car, hail can dent softer metal roofs such as copper and aluminum roofs. Some metal roofs, however, are guaranteed against denting. When planning to walk on the roof for maintenance such as cleaning the gutters, keep in mind that a metal roof tends to be slippery when wet. Some metal finishes can chip and peel, although again they are generally guaranteed for many years against such marring.

Don’t be worried about lightning strikes with metal roofs. Metal roofs don’t attract lightning even though metal conducts electricity. Metal roofs can also be grounded for additional protection.

In this world of worlds in which we live, residential metal roofing is for sure to give, a homeowner a great roofing experience.