That’s a good point about the flashing—seems like that’s where a lot of problems start, especially if you’re dealing with freeze/thaw cycles. I’ve always wondered if the extra cost of tile is worth it up north, given how much maintenance it can need. Did you notice any difference in heating bills or noise with metal? I keep hearing metal’s loud in rain, but maybe that’s overblown. I do like the idea of less stress in winter, even if it’s not as “classic” looking.
I keep hearing metal’s loud in rain, but maybe that’s overblown. I do like the idea of less stress in winter, even if it’s not as “classic” looking.
Yeah, the noise thing with metal is always brought up, but honestly, it’s not as bad as people make it sound. If you’ve got decent insulation in your attic, most of the “pinging” is dulled down. My place has standing seam metal over a thick layer of cellulose, and I barely notice rain unless it’s a real downpour. The old barn out back with just bare metal? That’s a different story—sounds like a drumline when it rains.
As for heating bills, I haven’t seen a huge difference compared to asphalt, but I will say the snow slides off way faster on metal. That means less ice damming, which is a big deal up here. I used to spend hours up on a ladder knocking ice off the old shingle roof, but with metal, it just sheets off on its own. Less stress for sure, though you do have to watch out for big snow slides near doors.
Tile’s a tough sell up north, in my opinion. It looks great, but the freeze/thaw cycles can be brutal on it. I’ve seen a couple places in town with tile, and they’re always patching things up come spring. Plus, the weight means you need a beefier structure. The upfront cost and ongoing repairs would make me think twice unless you’re really attached to the look.
If you’re thinking about alternatives, have you looked into green roofs at all? They’re not for everyone, but I’ve seen some folks around here try them out. Decent insulation, helps with runoff, and you don’t get the noise issues like with metal. Not cheap to set up, though, and maintenance is a different kind of headache.
Anyway, I get the appeal of the “classic” look, but up here, I’ll trade a bit of style for less winter hassle any day.
I’ve always wondered about the long-term costs with metal. Upfront, it’s pricier than asphalt, but if you factor in less maintenance and fewer repairs, maybe it balances out? I’m in a spot where every dollar counts, so I’m trying to figure out if the investment pays off over 20-30 years. Has anyone actually tracked their expenses after switching from shingles to metal? Sometimes it feels like you’re just trading one headache for another...
I hear you on the sticker shock with metal. When we replaced our roof about 12 years ago, I nearly choked at the estimate for standing seam metal compared to asphalt shingles. We’re in northern Minnesota, so winters are no joke—ice dams, heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, you name it. I kept running the numbers over and over, trying to justify the upfront cost.
Here’s what actually happened: our old asphalt shingles lasted just under 18 years before they started curling and leaking around the chimney. We’d patched a few spots after storms, but by the end, it was a mess. The metal roof cost us almost double what a new shingle job would’ve been at the time. But since then? Not a single leak, no missing panels, and I haven’t had to get up there to replace anything. Snow slides right off (sometimes too fast—watch your gutters), and ice dams are way less of a problem.
Maintenance-wise, it’s been pretty much hands-off. I do check the fasteners every couple years and clear out the gutters, but that’s about it. My neighbor went with architectural shingles around the same time as our metal install, and he’s already had to replace a few sections after windstorms. He’s also dealing with moss growth on the north side—something I haven’t seen on my metal panels.
If you’re planning to stay put for a couple decades, I’d say metal starts making sense after about 15 years. The warranty on ours is 40 years (though who knows if I’ll still be here by then). The only real downside has been noise during heavy rain or hail—it’s not deafening, but you notice it more than with shingles.
I get what you mean about trading headaches. Metal isn’t perfect—installers matter a lot, and if they mess up flashing or seams, you can have issues. But compared to patching shingles every few years and worrying every time there’s a wind advisory... I’m glad we bit the bullet.
If you’re in a spot where every dollar counts right now, maybe it’s worth looking at financing options or seeing if your area has any energy efficiency rebates for metal roofs. It’s not cheap up front, but over 20-30 years? I think it pays off—at least in my experience up north where winter really puts roofs through their paces.
