Hot Tin Roof…..
February 22nd, 2008 Categories: Remodeling and Home Construction
It appears that we are reaching back to the early 1700’s with the resurrection of metal roofs for homes.
Metal roofs most certainly will outlast composite, cedar, slate or clay tile roofs. And it appears that home builders are taking advantage of this material because it cheaper than the others mentioned. What is cheap?
A metal roof costs between $1 to $ 4 a square foot (some say it can get as high as $ 6/sq. ft.). Composites range between $ 3.40 to $ 4.50 a square foot; shakes are about $ 3.75/sq. foot; slate runs about $ 5 to $ 10/sq. ft.; and clay will run $ 4-10 a square foot.
Laminated asphalt shingles are available at $ 1/sq. foot or less. This material is a fiberglass asphalt product which is thicker and are made to look like tile, slate or wood.
Metal roofs captured approximately 30% of the year 2007 market. Fiberglass asphalt captured 44% of the market, however that was down 50% from the previous year.
Metal roofs are considered more fire proof than any other roof and it last twice as long as any of the other materials used for roofing. When treated with various coatings and finishes it is said to be a good heat reflector, thus keeping the house cooler and the cost of cooling the house down.
But when it rains you will hear it. I suspect the “rain noise” can be readily solved with added insulation to dampened the sound. And you do not want to walk on it when it is wet. Slipping and sliding can do damage to one’s body.
Source for this article: Homeowners on a Hot Metal Roof, by Nancy Keates: Wall Street Journal (2/22/08).
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