Cost-Saving Construction Concepts: A Construction and Contracting Blog

Steel roofs may not be a standard choice for many homeowners, but they can be a good option for when you're ready for a new roof or are having a new home constructed. They offer many benefits over asphalt tiles and shingles and work well for just about any home. If you're thinking of having a steel roof installed, note a few questions you might have first and discuss these with a roofing contractor or sales representative so you know you'll get the right type of roof for your home.

1. Why choose a steel roof if it's more expensive than shingles?

Remember that owning a home is a long-term investment, and you want to think about more than just initial costs when it comes to any material you use for repairs. Steel may offer more insulating qualities than standard shingles so you might save more money on your utilities. A metal roof also usually lasts longer than asphalt, so you will need to replace it less often. You may even be allowed an insulating tax credit with a steel roof, depending on your area. In the long run, steel can actually be the more affordable and cost-effective option.

2. Doesn't steel rust and corrode?

Steel itself may rust and corrode over time, but a steel roof is usually coated with a material that reduces or eliminates the risk of corrosion. This might be a zinc plating or it might be a powder coating. A powder coating is like a paint job but the color is applied with a powder and then an electrical current adheres it to the steel. This can protect it from rain, snow, humidity, and other factors that can cause steel to rust and corrode.

3. Will a steel roof make a home look like a shed?

If your only experience with a metal roof is an outdoor shed, you might assume that this is what your home will look like after having a steel roof installed. However, a steel roof can be shaped and formed to look like shingles or installed in one long piece, rather than having the standard curves and waves you see on a shed roof. As mentioned above, it can also be powder coated a number of colors that might coordinate with your home or change the look of the metal itself. This makes it very attractive so that it enhances your home's appearance rather than detracting from it.