The time has come to replace or roof repair and you are faced with the choice of what materials to use to replace your roof.  Years ago you really only had the option of using asphalt shingles, but roofing has come a long way since then and now you have some choices.  One of the recommendations from your roofing contractor is to use a metal roof but is a metal roof the right choice for your home?  Although metal roofing has become increasingly popular do you really want to spend the extra cash?  Let’s look at the pros and cons of metal roofing to see if it will work for your home.

Pros of a Metal Roof

Let’s start with durability, metal is stronger and more durable than either shingles or tiles on your roof.  Metal will withstand whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at it including, rain, snow, hail and hurricane force winds.  On top of that it serves as an extra layer of fire protection which is also important, far better than traditional roofing materials.  The other big plus when it comes to a metal roof is that you have a choice of color and style.  If you’re going to have this roof for the next 50 years or so then you want it to look good.  Metal roofs give you a lot more choices than plain shingles do.

Cons of a Metal

The biggest disadvantage to a metal roof, and it’s a big one, is the cost.  Metal roofs will be more expensive than putting shingles on the roof.  However this is a pretty decent trade-off for not having to repair or replace your roof in the next 10 years.  Traditional roofs under normal circumstances will have to be replaced every fifteen to twenty years, if you live somewhere with extreme weather it will be sooner than that.  A good metal roof can last fifty years or more.

Another issue with a metal roof is many homeowners’ associations don’t like them.  If you live in a neighborhood where you have to worry about the homeowners’ association then you will want to check with the bylaws first to see if they will even allow you to install a metal roof.  The last thing you want to do is to spend thousands on a new roof only to be told to take it down.

Before you make your final decision do your research first, listen to what your contractor has to say and then figure what works best for you.