While the use of residential metal roofing is not new in many parts of the world, its use in the residential marketplace in the United States continues to grow. A new roofing study from Cleveland-based The Freedonia Group notes that the U.S. demand for metal roofing is expected to rise 2.7% per year to 32.63 million squares in 2023. On the residential side, the study says this above-average rate of growth will be spurred in part by homeowner interest in installing metal roofing to create a more unique exterior appearance.
With a variety of colors and style options, the long-term benefits of metal roofing continue to make sense in the residential market
Photo courtesy of American Metal Roofs.
This trend is supported by the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), which says that metal is now very much a trending North America style as one of the most popular roofing materials. Renee Ramey, executive director of the MRA, says, “These days, homeowners are interested in how to avoid disposable, throw-away features that are only designed to last for a few years. Metal roofing is now very much in fashion not only for the timeless design and style it offers, but for its lasting value when it comes to home protection, reducing environmental impacts and reliable performance.”
Photo courtesy of Isaiah Industries.
In 2020, Ramey says there will be more innovative uses of metal both in roofing and siding. “As people have gotten more familiar with metal’s use in residential construction, we are seeing more bold design choices (colors, styles and combinations of use) and in more applications,” she explains. “Metal’s ability to look like other construction materials will also support its use in a vast array of home projects primarily because of its ability of mimic other materials but with the added benefits of durability and longevity.”
As more and more homeowners look into replacing their asphalt shingle roofs with metal, we take a look at some of the trends driving its popularity. From energy efficiency to longevity, there are a number of benefits to switching to a metal roof on your home.
Photo courtesy of MRA Member McElroy Metal.
Design Aesthetics
Metal roofs are available in a wide range of colors and styles, including options that can mimic slate, clay tile and even wood shakes and asphalt, while providing the long-term, low-maintenance performance and protection of metal. The Freedonia roofing study notes that while standing seam metal roofing will continue to account for the largest share of metal roofing demand through 2023, metal shingles, shakes and tiles will see the fastest growth going forward, due to their increased use in the residential market as homeowners seek more durable alternatives to asphalt shingles.
Frank Farmer, president of American Metal Roofs in Flint, Mich., says, “The prints and shaded products that look more realistic, that mimic the look of a standard shingle or slate are becoming more and more popular. People absolutely love them. It gets away from the traditional vertical panel that just does not satisfy what homeowners are looking for. They don’t want their houses to look industrial or commercial.”
Photo courtesy of American Metal Roofs.
“Architectural styles,” adds Ramey, “are a big factor in roof selection as well. A homeowner’s understanding that metal roofing can literally look like any other roofing material on the market is big for metal roofing as it removes any aesthetic barriers that may exist.”
When it comes to colors, Scott Moffatt, architectural sales manager for Pittsburgh-based PPG Metal Coatings, says metal roofing rarely uses the micas and metallic that are so prominent in the rest of the architectural market. “We will continue to see solid colors, but manufacturers have been designing textures and print coats to expand offerings in this product line,” he says.
Todd Miller, president, Isaiah Industries, Piqua, Ohio, says his company is seeing an increased interest in gray, black and silver colors rather than browns and reds. “We believe that this matches and coordinates many of the overall trends in home design,” he explains.
Additionally, Moffatt adds, cool roof coatings are more or less standard in the metal roofing market. “Residential customers have a choice in quality between an ultra-durable [silicone-modified polyester (SMP)] polyester coating or a high-performance fluoropolymer.”
Photo courtesy of MRA Member Drexel Metals.
Energy Efficiency
While many homeowners understand that increasing energy efficiency can help save money on utility bills, Farmer notes that many are not aware of the energy efficiency benefits of metal roofs. “People don’t call in and say they’re interested in a new roof because they want to cut down on their energy bills,” he says. “In fact, they’re pretty oblivious that it can reduce their energy costs.”
Farmer goes on to say that oftentimes it is during the presentation on the different types of metal roofing options when homeowners learn about the energy savings. “They have no idea that some of the metal roofs—when you start to get into aluminum and get into the heat-reflective coatings—just how much money can be saved. They don’t realize the role of an asphalt roof is to heat up their attic, which heats up their house. Once you block the heat from coming into the house, you don’t spend the money on air conditioning.”
Ramey agrees, saying the focus on energy efficiency has been slower to take hold. “But once homeowners understand the impact on a day-to-day or month-to-month basis (heating and cooling savings), it becomes a bigger influence on homeowners.”
And, “Reroofing is a great time to consider spending a little extra on better materials, and making sure your insulation meets or exceeds local codes for your area,” Ramey continues. “Good installation practices and quality material will pay off significantly in the long run.”
Photo courtesy of MRA Member Kassel & Irons.
Solar-Ready Roofs
When it comes to adding photovoltaics to residential metal roofs, Miller says they’re witnessing homeowners who are investing in a metal roof asking what they can to make it more solar-ready in the future. “Hardly a day goes by that we do not hear from a homeowner or solar company that is inquiring about adding solar to one of our roofs that was installed maybe three to five years ago,” he says.
As Ramey explains, the use of metal roofing in support of solar and photovoltaic systems is a no-brainer … and many homeowners are being made aware of this fact. “The MRA has been working to educate consumers on the many benefits of metal roofing in this area and their response shows they are listening.”
As the cost of solar drops, Farmer notes that more and more homeowners are asking about the installation of solar systems. “People are starting to realize that they are going to replace an asphalt roof in 10 years,” he explains. “And that plays big with the homeowner who is contemplating putting solar on their house, because even though the cost of solar is dropping, the only part that’s dropping is the components. The labor cost is not dropping. So, if a homeowner were to install a solar system on an asphalt roof, they’ll have to have the system taken off and the roof redone and the solar system reinstalled over time. So the homeowners that understand these failing roofs and are looking to be green with solar are talking to us about that.”
Since homeowners don’t want to deal with the cost of taking a solar system off an asphalt roof and putting it back on after replacing the roof, Farmer says they would rather put it on a metal roof. “And they can put it on most any type of metal roof that is out there right now, whether it is standing seam or metal shingles. There’re all types of brackets designed for these products.”
And, Miller adds, with the shortage of skilled labor continuing, homeowners are realizing that the labor costs for re-roofing are going to continue a dramatic acceleration in future years, leading them to consider products like metal that will not need to be replaced down the road.
The Lane House has an aluminum standing seam metal roof and Oxford Shingles on the walls of the second floor, manufactured by Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Piqua, Ohio. Photo courtesy of American Metal Roofs.
Long-Term Value
On average, homeowners are staying in their homes longer than they have in the past. Miller recounts a recent report showing the average length of home ownership at 13 years. “This trend bodes very well for metal roofing as homeowners are more serious about investing in their current homes and avoiding future maintenance costs,” he says. “With an average ownership of 13 years, if the home has asphalt shingles, there is a very good chance the homeowner will face re-roofing at least one time while they own the home.”
Since people are staying in their homes longer, many are looking for ways to prolong the life of their upgrades and improvements. “[Homeowners] are also more interested in the environmental impacts of their choices,” Ramey says.
“These two trends combined mean that more thought is going into longer-term benefit and impact of the roofing choice made. So, while cost is always a consideration, homeowners are more educated and thoughtful of the long-term versus short-term cost.”
Photo courtesy of MRA Member Ideal Roofing.
And, with the number of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes and other natural disasters continuing to increase in recent years, a metal roof makes good financial sense in certain regions of the U.S. According to a June 2019 U.S. News and World Report article, “Renovating After a Natural Disaster? Planning Is Key,” the cost of disaster repairs exceeded $27 billion in the U.S. in 2016-2017, compared to $14 billion in 1996-1997. “A home’s roof often bears the worst of what Mother Nature can dish out,” Ramey says. “It can play a significant role in whether a home survives relatively unscathed during a natural disaster.”
Additionally, Miller says they’re seeing more and more homeowners thinking of their roofs as a major focal point for redesigning their homes, rather than changing other components of the home’s exterior and leaving the old roof in place. “A new roof is a major commitment that should last for many decades,” Ramey adds. “It pays to perform your due diligence by not only analyzing performance, maintenance and reliability features, but by making sure the style and look you choose maximizes the power of your home’s curb appeal.”
As Moffatt notes, metal roofing has a 13% market share of the residential roofing market, according to a May 2019 FMI report for the Metal Construction Association. “The premium price and lack of experienced contractors need to improve to continue the growth of this product,” he says. “Metal roofing has proven to be a very attractive addition to a residential home and brings a lot of functionality and structural integrity to the home.”