Metal Roofing FAQ’s

How does a metal roof compare in cost with other roofing materials?

Classic Metal Roofs’s metal roofing systems are a homeowner’s most economical choice in the long run. Fact is, when you look at the entire gamut of roofing materials, there is a huge variety in terms of products, price points, benefits, and life expectancies. However, as is the case with most anything else you purchase as a consumer, you get what you pay for when it comes to roofing.
The exact price of any roofing project is determined by the materials being used and the roof’s complexity, and whether the installation can be achieved without removing and disposing of the old roof. Metal roofing, of course, can often be installed over old roofs, allowing property owners to invest money in a superior roof rather than spend money to tear off and dispose of old roofing materials.
Classic Metal Roofs has designed our roof systems to be “investment-grade roofing.” Homeowners can opt for cheaper roofs and then have to maintain and replace those roofs regularly. However, for homeowners who want a beautiful and worry-free roof that will maintain its good looks for the long term, Classic Metal Roofs’s roofing fits the bill. “Exotic” roofs such as slate and glazed tile are more costly than our products and, because those products last no longer than our metal roofs, they ultimately end up with a higher cost per year.
The careful engineering which has gone into Classic Metal Roofs’s metal roofing results in energy savings, increased home value, unmatched protection,  and durability. The bottom line for homeowners is a roof with an unmatched value which is today’s most economical roofing choice over time. This makes sense for today’s homeowners because, after all, when we invest in our homes, long-term value is what we are all seeking.

What will happen to a Classic Metal Roof in a lightning storm?

Despite what you might think, an aluminum roof does NOT attract lightning. So you do not have to worry about your home, even in the fiercest electrical storm.  Read our Lightning and Metal Roofing Technical Bulletin for more information.

What about hail?

No problem! The dimensional beauty of our metal roofing systems prepares them to take whatever Mother Nature dishes out – including hailstones. Our products meet Underwriters Laboratory’s UL 2218 Impact Resistance Testing at Class IV, the most severe test. What is more, our products are warranted not to leak or chip due to hail impact. You might even get a discount on your homeowner’s insurance! Ask your agent. Our Hail Resistance Technical Bulletin provides more detail.

When it rains, will it sound loud on the roof?

No. Another benefit of the rugged-looking texture is that it actually quiets the rain on your roof. Our roofs’ deep-textured folds break up the “pinging” effect you might expect from a flat metal roof. See our Sound Transmission Technical Bulletin for more details.

What about fire?

Unlike many other roofing materials, our roofs are fire-resistant. Even blown-on embers will not cause combustion.

Can we walk on it?

Sure! Our high-strength metals do not lose their strength over time. Classic Metal Roofs products’ deep folds and textures give our roofs even greater strength so that they can handle occasional roof traffic with minimal care. Please read our Technical Bulletin Walking on Metal Roofing for important information on safety before climbing to your rooftop.

How much longer will a Classic Metal Roofs system last compared to common roofing materials like asphalt or wood shingles?

You can expect our roofing system to outlast other options because metal roofing will not break down under repeated wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles like other roofing products.
The average life span of an asphalt roof is 12 to 17 years, to put it in context. That lifespan can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil-impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt roofing begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose.
Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake, and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates.
All of the above roofing materials are well-outlasted by our roofing system, which retains its good looks and durability decade after decade after decade.

Is a Classic Metal Roofs system environmentally responsible?

Not only is a Classic Metal Roofs roofing system great for your home, but it is also great for the environment.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end, they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City again, then on to Chicago.
That is a lot of wasted asphalt. A Classic Metal Roofs system can often be installed over your current roof without tearing off what is already there, helping to reduce this excessive shingle waste.
Our metal roofing products are manufactured from recycled materials and are completely recyclable.  Even at the end of their long, long life, you won’t find them in a landfill. 
See this technical bulletin for more details on the ecological virtues of metal roofs.

Find answers to many more questions about metal roofing in our research resources and Technical Bulletins.