Upgrading to a Metal Roof in a Declining Economy... Really?

Thoughts from Chris...

Being involved with selling metal roofs for decades now, and observing all the while the trends in real estate and architectural products, it’s quite fascinating to me that during this time that real estate values are leveling off or declining in many markets, the demand for metal roof products is growing noticeably. On the surface, this seems like a paradox: why would a premium, more expensive type of material enjoy increased demand in a housing downturn? There is some logic to the occurrence, and since this is the 3^rd cycle of this kind I’ve personally witnessed, I am confident that I understand at least some of the explanation.

When housing is in a rapidly inflating state, I think many homeowners stop thinking of their residence as their “home” and rather entertain thoughts of it as a stepping stone on the way to their “ultimate” address. The gypsy theme seems to pervade conversations of houses and a large percentage of homeowners get caught in the, “we’ll sell this place, make a big profit, and buy the home we really want!” mentality. Even conversations about improvements seem to always include a “return on investment” caveat so that the questions cease being, “What is the best improvement of this type we can afford?” and instead become, “What improvements of any type will have the greatest effect on re-sale value?” In hot real estate markets, the local realtor becomes the expert on renovation choices – even if they’ve never lifted a hammer in their lives! Everyone’s playing, “Flip This House!”

Certainly this is true for roof products as well. If the roof you’re contemplating only has to have an immediate “return on investment” then all other considerations – life expectancy, life-cycle costs, maintenance, fire resistance, seismic safety, etc, etc. – become secondary to the immediate resale value. All of the homeowners caught up in the transient theme of the hot housing markets begin to see big-ticket items for their home, like a new roof, from the same perspective as a tract builder, “After a few, short years none of these details will matter to me – someone else will be living with them!”

People who begin to see their house as a home, for some time to come, as is the case when prices are not rising rapidly, tend to use differing decisions regarding their choices. The thought that “We might well be here in 10, 15, or more years,” adds a new element to the mix. All of a sudden, homeowners begin to worry about qualities in roof products that seem insignificant when “It’ll be someone else’s problem!” Now it may well be OUR problem if we choose an inferior product. Now quality becomes a more significant consideration that short-term resale value. I’ve repeated many times to homeowners in process of choosing a new roof for their home the observation that almost EVERY possible choice will look nice and shiny and new for a short time – it’s the long-term where quality shines. The extra investment in a premium roof, like metal, pays dividends in value for years and years into the future.

When houses become homes, premium upgrades like metal roofs come back into vogue. Makes sense to me!

Ask Chris - What's the Best Roof For Fire Safety?

Q: I saw the local news discussing fire season this week. What’s the best roof when you consider fire safety?

A: Hands down, the best roof for fire-prone areas is metal. Not only is it non-combustible, it’s extremely lightweight - a critical consideration in light of the latest seismic activity - and will resist premature roof collapse. Plus, metal roofing offers superior wind resistance and comes in an array of beautiful colors and profiles. In fact, if you want that classic cedar shake look for your home, ask about our Sierra Metal Shake, which gives you all the aesthetics of wood shakes with none of the tinderbox drawbacks! We’ve extended our introductory pricing as we move into fire season, so call today.

More roofing questions? Ask about our re-roofing report when you call or visit us online.

Ask Chris - What's the Best Roof For Windy Areas?

Q. Today's high winds were tremendous! Are some roofs better than others for staying on in winds like that?

A. Absolutely. The best roofs are the ones that have the most positive fastening. Metal roofs are mechanically fastened to the deck or the structure, while other roofs rely on their weight or adhesives, certainly an inferior system in extreme winds. Our new Sierra Metal Shake is among the best products available for high wind areas like ours because among other benefits, its wind warranty won’t expire in just a few years like asphalt roof warranties. If a roofing project is coming up and resistance to high winds is a priority, call or visit us online to learn more about the many benefits of metal roofs.

For detailed answers to this and all your roofing questions, call or email for our booklet on re-roofing your home.

Ask Chris - Why Should We Consider Metal Roofing?

Q. We’re thinking about a new roof and have heard a lot about metal roofs lately. Should we consider one for our home?

A. Absolutely! With the trend toward higher quality architectural details for homes, there is now a surprising variety of metal roofi ng products that combine the permanence and integrity of metal with styles and patterns that compliment every type of residential architecture. You’ll discover metal that comes in tiles, shingles and panels plus diverse finishes that make these roofs among the most beautiful and distinctive available.

Metal also has the advantage of being environmentally friendly. Unlike most other options, metal roofs have a significant recycled content and here in northern Nevada, a lifespan many times that of lesser materials. If replacing a roof is on your list of things to do, an investigation of metal as one of your options will be an eye-opening experience.

Costs of metal roofing

A great overview of the choices and subsequent prices when it comes to metal roofing.

Here's an excerpt:

"The cost of metal roofing represents value for the homeowners that installed it. A good metal roof can actually add value to your home if you are planning on reselling it. Your home insurance may also be lowered as a result of installing a metal roof because it is less likely to be damaged by the elements, including adverse weather conditions such as hurricanes and lightening storms."

Read more here.

Metal roofs - a fashion statement?

For the discerning homeowner, yes. Metal roofs have the requisite good looks and add value to one's home, making them a great investment.

Click here for more reasons to go metal.

A great source for all things metal roofing

If you're looking for fantastic pictures of gorgeous metal roofs and more information than you can possibly need - and you've already been to our site - then check out the Metal Roofing Alliance.

From photos to help finding material or a contractor to what's in the news, it's a great source of information.

Ask Chris

Q. I’m still confused about metal roofing for houses. Isn’t it too industrial for a home in a nice neighborhood?

A. Not at all. This is a misconception about metal roofs that we hear over and over. The reality is that of all materials, metal comes in the biggest variety of colors, shapes and styles. In your very neighborhood, it’s likely there are beautiful metal roofs that you’ve been thinking are shingles or concrete tiles.

Truthfully, the benefits of metal (lightweight, permanent, environmentally-friendly) are available in such a wide range of options, you have to see it to believe it. We invite you to browse the photos on our website or call us for a drive-by list of homes in your neighborhood.

Have a roofing question of your own? Post it in the comments section and we'll answer it on the blog! Or contact us for our Free Report, a highly useful booklet about all your roofing options.

Ask Chris

Q. My asphalt shingle roof is showing its age, but I have the thought of having it torn off and thrown in a dump. Do I have a choice?

A. You could put another layer of asphalt shingles over your old ones, but then you’d just have more stuff to throw in the dump in another few years. Why not upgrade to metal and solve the problem of “disposable roofs” once and for all. Your best choice might be our new, lightweight Sierra Metal Shake. Designed right here in Northern Nevada to stand up to our severe weather for generations, our newest product is beautiful, permanent, environmentally friendly, won’t burn, and designed for installation over existing asphalt roofs. No material available is better at resisting our high winds and freeze/thaw cycles, and nothing in its class is lower-priced or faster to install.

Have more questions about roofing options? Get our “Free Report” on roof materials. It's 50 pages of invaluable information about all of the types of roofs you could buy for your home.

Don't want a messy tear-off? Then you're gonna love this...

We're THRILLED to announce the arrival of our Sierra Metal Shake. We've sold our first few material packages already, the new roofs are on and looking FANTASTIC.

Our Sierra Metal Shake was designed right here in northern Nevada as the fastest, most economical upgrade for existing asphalt shingle roofs. It's a beautiful, permanent roof system that can be installed right over your existing comp roofing.

And the best part? We're making a splash with special introductory pricing. But since there's always a catch, we're limiting that to a few homes per neighborhood. So if you're thinking of re-roofing, getting a free estimate sure can't hurt!

Wall Street Wisdom

An EXCELLENT article from the Wall Street Journal. Those folks know what they're talking about!

Here's a little snippet:

"There is one asphalt alternative whose resurgence is on a fast track -- metal. Most often associated with quaint New England tool sheds and not-so-quaint outlets of the International House of Pancakes, metal roofs are increasingly appearing on new homes and renovations because of their style and relative affordability. Some even mimic the look of slate and wood shakes."

10 Upgrades to Help Sell Your Home

MSN Real Estate posted today a list of upgrades to help sell your home. They're talking pipes, furnaces, kitchen cabinets and countertops, and most relevant here, the ROOF!

And I quote:

"Shrewd buyers are always concerned about the age of a home's roof. Have your roof inspected if it is more than 10 years old."

The post lists price ranges for both shingles and metal roofs. I mention this because it's a great example of how metal roofing is becoming part of the lexicon for the average homeowner. Thanks to improved manufacturing methods, metal roofing is now a viable option for homeowners working with limited budgets. Speaking of which... get ready for the new Omega Roof Patagonia Shake... the first installation is scheduled for early March. More on that soon...

LINK UPDATE

Sorry, the link for this story's no good anymore. But the important stuff is above anyway!

Ask Chris

Q: I hear people talking a lot about metal roofing, but I just wouldn’t want that look for my house. What am I missing?

A: You’re missing a lot. I’m constantly amazed at the images people have in their heads when they think of metal roofs. Everyone thinks of schools or commercial building roofs as if that were the only appearance of metal. It still surprises a lot of people to know that metal comes in MORE shapes, styles, colors, and textures than ANY other roof material. Tiles, shingles, panels, diamonds, vertical patterns, horizontal patterns, high profile, low profile – metal roofs have it all. If you have a roof project coming up soon, you owe it to yourself to at least take a look at the options available in metal. Our website is a great place to see the enormous variety of choices in metal.

Ask Chris

Q. I’ve read a lot of good things about metal roofs, but a roof contractor I spoke to said he doesn’t like them - is he wrong?

A. Many homeowners may be surprised to find that the average roof contractor isn’t a good source of information about various types of roof products. Roofers tend to get very good at installing one type of material, and so shy away from others. And really, they wouldn’t be acting in the interests of their own business if they promoted something they weren’t equipped to handle.

If you’re interested in something like metal tiles or shingles, make sure you at least speak to someone experienced with and equipped to handle that type of material. Otherwise you won’t be getting the whole story. Even the cheapest roof will cost thousands of dollars - so make certain you look at ALL of your options before deciding how best to invest in your home.

Can't help but wonder...

Have you ever said to yourself, "Wow, I'd love a metal roof! They come in all these neat colors and shapes. Too bad it would turn my house into a lightning rod."

Well, good news! Putting a metal roof on your home does NOT increase the likelihood of your home being struck by lightning. That's because lightning is attracted to the highest point - and that's not necessarily your roof. And here's a little bonus for all your metal roof owners - metal roofs can actually help PREVENT your home from catching on fire if it is in fact struck by lightning. Metal roofs are noncombustible, unlike that kindling otherwise known as wood shakes, and they can also dissipate the electrical charge.

Whew!