I’m starting to think those higher upfront costs pay for themselves in headaches avoided.
That’s been my experience too. I manage a few properties, and after the last big storm rolled through, the only roofs that needed more than a quick patch were the old asphalt ones. One of them had to be stripped down to the decking—insurance covered some, but I still ended up shelling out close to $4k on labor and materials for just a single-family place. Metal and synthetic? Barely a scratch.
I used to think the extra cost up front was just upselling, but after seeing how much time I’ve spent chasing roofers and dealing with adjusters, I’m not so sure anymore. The noise from metal roofs during heavy rain is a pain, but at least you’re not waking up to leaks or missing shingles every year.
Funny thing—one of my tenants actually prefers the sound of rain on metal. Says it helps him sleep. Guess there’s a silver lining somewhere in all this mess...
- Seeing the same thing during inspections—older asphalt shingles just don’t hold up to wind and hail like metal or newer synthetics.
- Metal roofs are noisy, yeah, but I’ll take that over water stains on the ceiling any day.
- Insurance claims can be a pain. Sometimes they’ll nitpick over “pre-existing” issues and you’re left covering more than you thought.
- Upfront cost is tough to swallow, but after watching folks replace shingles every couple years, it starts to look like a bargain.
- Only downside I’ve seen with metal is denting from big hail, but at least it’s cosmetic...and hey, some people call it “character.”
Had to shell out close to $4k last spring after a hailstorm, and that was just for patching up the worst spots on my old asphalt roof—didn’t even cover the garage. Insurance covered some, but they argued about “age-related wear” and I still ended up paying more than I wanted. I keep hearing metal’s the way to go, but is the noise really that bad during a downpour? And does anyone regret the look after a few years? I’m torn because the upfront price is a lot, but replacing shingles every couple years is getting old.
- Metal roofs have come a long way—most folks are surprised how quiet they are with proper insulation.
- Upfront cost is higher, but you’re looking at 40-50 years of low maintenance.
- Hail damage is way less common on metal, and insurance companies sometimes give discounts for it.
- As for looks, some people love the patina that develops over time, others not so much... depends on your taste.
- I get the sticker shock, but if you’re tired of patching shingles every storm season, it might be worth running the numbers.
- Upfront cost is higher, but you’re looking at 40-50 years of low maintenance.
That “40-50 years of low maintenance” sounds great in theory, but I’m still a bit skeptical about hail. Maybe it’s just my luck, but last year’s storm dented a neighbor’s metal roof pretty badly—insurance covered it, but it wasn’t zero hassle. I do agree on the shingle patching though... feels like every spring I’m up there with a caulk gun and a prayer. Anyone else notice metal roofs are way quieter than they used to be? The insulation must really help.
