Ask Chris: If Metal Roofs Are So Great, Why Don't All Roofers Recommend Them?

Q: I was speaking to a roofer recommended by a friend because I am going to need to replace my roof soon, and when I asked about a metal roof, he said they were “ugly and expensive.” Why would someone in the business say that if it weren’t true?

A: At the risk of alienating my associates in the industry, I have to say that “roofers” as a group are not a very complete source of information about the industry. The nature of the business is such that it tends to be very segmented. Roofers that work for contractors who roof “average” houses use the same materials over and over again, so when they go on to start their own businesses, they continue doing what they know. It just makes good business sense to invest in men and equipment that specialize in one type of product. So why would a roofer say something flattering about a product or service that is outside of his usual practice? Especially when it might cost him work? It’s just very unlikely that he would, so the comments of the roofer you met are more common than not.

I’m still amazed to this day, after nearly 30 years in the industry how many “insiders” still think metal roofs only come in the long, ribbed panels often seen on commercial buildings. Metal offers the biggest number of styles and options, not the fewest! If you want to get a “big picture” view of the many options available to replace your roof, and features like environmental friendliness, long term performance, beautiful styles are priorities, then you need to do your own homework. Our website features a downloadable free informational booklet that's one place to start, but there are many others. You’re going to spend thousands of dollars replacing your roof – doesn’t it just make sense to research the best possible option before you make such a major purchase? Even a roofer has to agree with that!

Ask Chris: What's The Deal With 30-Year Warranties?

Q. The big wind last night caused some of my asphalt shingles to blow into my neighbor’s yard. My house is only 14 years old, and I understood from the builder that my roof had a “30 Year” warranty and was a “90 MPH” roof. Why is it already blowing off, even though the winds last night were not even close to exceeding 90 mph?

A: Welcome to the great Asphalt Roof Deception. The warranty for your roof (if you can find the piece of paper) no doubt had “30 Years” and “90 MPH” in big letters on the first page, but had you read to the fine print, you would discover that the “90 MPH” wind warranty expired after only 5 years – so you have no warranty at all from the manufacturer with regards to wind blow off, regardless of wind speeds. You must ask yourself, “If the manufacturer limits the wind coverage to 5 years, what is that saying about the real life expectancy of an asphalt shingle?” The answer is discovered by homeowners every day: The actual lifespan of a petroleum based product that is deteriorating from the first day it’s exposed to heat and sun is truly only 12-18 years or so. More or less depending on the peculiarities of the installation and location. If you want something that can actually stand up to the wind and sun for multiple generations, then you must investigate metal roofs, because the wind warranty for most of these lasts for the entire length of the warranty period. And that means real protection for homeowners. Find out more facts about roofing options by downloading our free roofing booklet from our website.

Metal Roofs and Home Values

I was beginning to believe the popular press and their analysis of the current economic downturn to the point that I was researching online information concerning cooking rats. It seemed that would be all most of us would be able to afford to eat soon and I might as well get prepared. After all, driving back from San Francisco last week I heard a long-time “conservative” talk show host, who I had previously considered to be a rational thinker, exclaim with in his most authoritative and conclusive voice that the recent downturn in the economy was “conclusive proof” that “unrestricted capitalism” was an animal destined to inevitably eat its own young – or other such nonsense. He was advocating for some form of increased “government oversight” of the financial system – just like many of the talking heads on CNBC.

What seems to be lost on all of the commentators and many of those with the microphones (and I have not the slightest doubt that these high-profile voices and authors either make their money investing the savings of others, have their own investments in “the market,” or comment professionally on the goings on therein. Either way, their reputation, industry, or nest egg is their biggest concern, and often there ends their objectivity) is that the adjustment of real-estate and stock values IS A GOOD THING. This is the free market working! Why aren’t the politicos making noise about the fact that places like Southern California are witnessing dramatic increases in housing sales (66% increase this year over last)? And this with no government action - except talking?

Since any product or service or asset (roofs, houses, stocks, cars) are ONLY worth what someone is willing to pay, how in God’s name can the government do anything useful since it produces NOTHING except OVERHEAD for businesses and wage-earners? If they prop up home prices, isn’t that just the collective tax-paying citizenry pouring the fruits of its labor into artificially holding up the price of something for which demand does not actually exist? And where will this maneuver lead, except to more schemes of similar deception? The market is at work right now re-valuing many parts of the inventory of goods and service to bring them into equilibrium with demand, and that’s a very good thing.

Anyway, I can hear you asking, “What has this got to do with the price of roofs?” The answer is just this: Metal roofs – or any construction material for that matter – will find a place in the market based on value. If the consumer of roof products sees the value of metal (long life, lightweight, attractive, fire-proof, ecologically friendly, and highly resistant to winds and weather), then its place in the market is assured. Regardless of the particular price of homes today as opposed to 2 or 3 years ago.

All of that to say that all of the stuff that’s filling the headlines today will be old news tomorrow and that owners of homes are best served by a focus on purchasing products for their homes that solve problems for the long-term. We all know that the long-term is never that far in the future, and that the house that you’re occupying today will still be a desirable home 5, 10, and 20 years from now. Quality improvements today, like a metal roof, will only make your home better and safer now and in the future. Isn’t that what we’re all after?

Let those politicians and talking heads continue to spout – they won’t “fix” anything. Especially a bad roof!

Ask Chris - Is Now a Good Time for a New Roof?

Q: My house needs a new roof, but with all of the bad economic news I’m wondering about the wisdom of spending money on my house right now. Is it a good idea?

A: If you’re not planning to move – it absolutely is a good idea. The maintenance needs to be done regardless of anything else, and if you’re staying in your home it makes even more sense to upgrade to a permanent metal roof and eliminate this major maintenance concern for generations to come. If your house isn’t going to be for sale anytime soon, then the best advice is to put on the best roof your budget allows regardless of what the headlines say today.

Ask Chris - Do I Need to Tear Off My Old Roof If I'm Re-Roofing with Metal??

Q. I know we’re going to need a new roof soon, but I’m worried about tearing off my existing roof in the winter. Will that definitely be necessary?

A. Probably not if you upgrade to metal. Metal roofs typically weigh less than half the weight of disposable roofs like asphalt shingles or wood shakes. Most of the metal shingles, shakes and tiles are specifically designed for installation over existing materials, so the odds are very good that choosing a beautiful new metal roof to replace what you currently have will entail a small amount of preparation and an installation directly over top. And then you can enjoy the other benefits of a quality metal roof, for many, many years to come. Call or visit our website for more information about this topic and others.

Ask Chris - Is Winter a Good Time to Replace a Roof?

Q. I know it’s time for a new roof, but a roofer I spoke to said winter isn’t a good time to replace mine because it won’t “stay down.” Is that true?

A. Yes – in regard to asphalt shingles. They rely on a thin layer of glue to keep rows stuck to one another and require exposure to a certain temperature for the glue to activate. This is a problem in the winter and may in fact void a warranty. Metal roofs however, besides being better looking, longer lasting, and much greener, don’t rely on a glue to stay on the roof but are mechanically fastened. So they can be installed at any time without compromising their performance or warranty coverage. Visit our website for a useful booklet of roofing facts and many photos of our beautiful range of metal roofs - all of which can be installed year round.

Have a burning roofing question? Post it in the comments section and Chris will answer it in a blog post.