Guesstimating the cost of installing a metal roof can be a trickier thing than it sounds. First off, the standard materials are going to cost different amounts in different places – it all depends on the cost of labor, the methods of distribution, freight costs and so on. Then theres the fact that with your typical contractor, theyll lower the cost per square foot of installation the bigger your roof is. Indeed, if you intend to cut out the middleman and buy the raw materials straight from the manufacturer, you might want try finding someone else that plans to re-roof and buy your metal roof shingles together at a wholesale price. The most popular brands like Met-Tile, Prestige, Decrabond, Gerard or Zappone are preferable as, while they might cost a little more, they offer the best warranties.

After your purchase ask the manufacturer who in your area is qualified to install that roof, and youll be well on your way to a low-cost, high-quality installation. Never, ever go with a roofer who hasnt worked with the material before. The long term cost of having to re-do the job will easily outweigh any cash you might save by choosing less skilled labor, in addition to which the cost of installing a metal roof is generally low, as the shingles are so lightweight, and are often sold in pre-assembled sheets.

Now, roofs with numerous irregularities – dormers, sidewalls, skylights and so on – are likely to require custom cutting of panels, which is best done on site with a hydraulic cutting device known as a brake. This machine is expensive and requires training for safe use, meaning that if your roof fits the above description you should probably rethink your plans of a DIY installation. The cost of installing a metal roof is directly proportional to the number of unusual features the roof has, so expect to shell out some cash if thats the case.

Remember: if you plan to stay in your home for a long time, the initially steep prices youre going to have to pay for metal roof paneling will be more that justified by the long term savings youll make. Youll find that getting an insurance policy on your home not only becomes easier, but cheaper, too, with many insurance companies offering up to 25 percent discounts for homes fitted with the flame-retardant, fire-fighting protection of metal roofing.

Whats more, metal roofing can be a boon when summer hits. Metals naturally reflective qualities mean that sunlight bounces off them instead of being absorbed, so you wont have to use your air conditioning system as much – which translates into lower electricity bills and less of an impact on the environment. If you purchase shingles with a coating of Kynar (a kind of plastic composite), youll increase this reflective effect.

Finally, lets not forget ” investing in a metal roof is investing in something thats going to last a long, long time. Copper, aluminum, stainless steel ” metal shingles made of these materials are immune to hail, hurricane-force winds and, when properly treated in galvalume fashion with a zinc-aluminum coating, are so resistant to corrosion that the only thing youll need to do to maintain their appearance is give them the occasional rinse with the garden hose. No hassle, no inconvenience ” and this with a warranty of fifty years. Its the reason more and more people are choosing the hardy features and new-age appeal of metal roofing.