Been thinking about redoing the roof on my shed myself, and metal roofing seems like a solid choice—durable, not too pricey, and I kinda like the rustic look. But I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the places online claiming to have the "best deals." Anyone here got experience ordering metal roofing sheets? Any particular company or site you'd recommend or avoid? Just wanna make sure I'm not missing something obvious, you know...
Did my garage with metal roofing sheets a couple years back. I get what you mean about all the "best deal" claims online—it's pretty annoying honestly. Initially, I was tempted by some big box store deals, but when I factored in shipping and the hassle of returns if something went wrong, it didn't seem worth it.
Ended up going local instead, found a small roofing supplier nearby. Pricing was surprisingly competitive once delivery costs were included, plus I liked being able to actually see and touch the material before committing. They also gave me solid advice on fasteners and trim pieces that I hadn't even thought about.
Not saying online is bad—just be cautious. If you do go that route, double-check shipping fees, return policies, and reviews from actual DIYers (not just contractors). Sometimes those "great deals" aren't so great once you dig into details...
"Pricing was surprisingly competitive once delivery costs were included, plus I liked being able to actually see and touch the material before committing."
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm leaning toward local suppliers too. Did you find the quality noticeably better than the big box stores? I've heard mixed things about thickness and coatings from different places...makes me wonder if there's really a big difference or if it's mostly marketing hype. Curious what your experience was like long-term with durability and weather resistance.
"Did you find the quality noticeably better than the big box stores?"
I went local for my metal roofing sheets about three years ago, mostly because I wanted to support small businesses and figured I'd get better customer service. Honestly, at first glance, the sheets seemed pretty similar to what I saw at big box stores—thickness-wise, anyway. But after a couple of seasons of harsh weather, I've noticed less fading and fewer signs of corrosion compared to my neighbor's roof from a chain store. Could be luck, but I'm leaning toward better coatings or treatments from local suppliers...
Good points about local vs big box. From my experience dealing with storm-damaged roofs, here's what I've noticed:
- Local suppliers often source from smaller manufacturers who pay more attention to coatings and finishes—makes a difference in hail-heavy areas.
- Big box sheets aren't terrible, but they usually cut corners on protective layers to keep prices down. Seen plenty of these roofs fade or rust quicker after a few rough winters.
- If you're DIYing it, local places also tend to be more helpful with tips or advice. Big chains...not so much.
- Also, don't underestimate shipping costs when ordering online. Some sites have great prices until you hit checkout and the freight charges smack you in the face.
- And yeah, the rustic look is nice until your "rustic" turns into actual rust, lol. Good coatings matter.
Bottom line: local might cost a bit more upfront, but if you're dealing with storms regularly, it usually pays off in durability.
