5 Things to Consider When Calculating the Cost of Metal Roofs 

Are you looking at installing a metal roof on your home? Are you a little bit worried about the cost?

There are some good reasons to be worried about the cost of installing a metal roof. But, with the right information, you can make a good decision and be worry-free.

So, have a look at our metal roof cost guide to work out the five most important things to consider when calculating the cost of your new metal roof. 

1. Size and Shape of Your Home

Generally speaking, if you have a larger home, the cost of your roof will be greater. If there is a larger surface area to cover, more materials will be needed, as well as more working hours. 

However, there is no simple metal roof cost calculator that you can use to plug in the dimensions of your home. It’s not always a straightforward calculation. 

Firstly, the size of your house may not be directly proportional to the cost of your roof. This is because a lot of homes are configured in different ways with different roof structures. Even a very small house may have an intricate roofing pattern that will require more materials and more work. 

The other important thing about the size of your home is that you may get a discount if you have quite a large roof. Since the overall job is larger, the profit margin for your roofer will be too. They may be willing to come down a little in price, but you will have to negotiate. 

2. Roof Configuration

As we’ve said, even roofs with a small surface area can cost more to install. If your roof has a number of different overhangs, protrusions, or segments, this will usually raise the cost of your installation.

There are a few reasons for this. Mostly, the preparation work takes longer. This is because more segments will need to be individually measured and cut. 

Also, each section of the roof will be its own individual job. The roofing panels will need to be individually fastened and any stays or supports will be individual as well. 

3. Roof Slope

The average cost of metal roof installation is significantly lowered if the roof does not have a steep slope. A steep roof not only introduces technical difficulties to the equation, but it also raises some safety concerns. 

If your roofer can get up safely on a flat roof and lay his own panels without safety equipment, it will be cheaper. If, on the other hand, your roofer needs a harness, a lift crane, or some other equipment, this will all cost money.

Not only this, but the job is likely to take more time. The work will be more difficult because the angles are harder to deal with and because the installers will need to work against gravity. This may also mean that more workers are required at the same time to help each other complete the job. 

A steep roof will likely also require a more highly trained team, which will up the cost as well. 

4. Roof Materials

You’ve decided on a metal roof replacement, but now you need to choose what metal and what product you’re going to use. The most common metals used in roofing are steel, copper, zinc, aluminum, and lead. 

All these metals can be used in different types of roofing products. For example, you can choose between classic roof shingles or a standard seam metal roof. Shingles are usually cheaper, but this can depend on the product. 

Companies like London Eco Metal offer eco-roof products that are very cost-efficient. If you can improve the energy efficiency of your home and cut down on your environmental impact, the relative cost of the roof will work out lower. 

Metal roofs are well known to be much more healthy for the environment than other types of roofs. Surprisingly, this may increase the value of your property. Environmental home features have been shown to significantly boost the selling price of homes!

5. Cost of a Metal Roof Over Its Lifetime

The last big factor you need to consider is the long term cost of your roof. Metal roof costs don’t end when you pay the installment bill. 

This is because a roof that is more robust will last longer and therefore be cheaper. You could do a cheap DIY metal roof yourself, but it is likely going to cost more because you will have to replace it sooner. 

What you need to do is find a balance between the upfront cost and the likelihood that your roof will last a long time. Try to find a middle ground where you are getting a product that offers a serious guarantee of longevity but doesn’t break the bank. 

A good roof will usually come with a longevity guarantee of between 20 and 50 years. So, be on the lookout for a good warranty period and you will end up feeling more comfortable with the upfront cost. 

Metal Roof Cost Analysis: Is It Worth It?

With all of these metal roof cost factors, you need to keep them in perspective. You need to think about the bigger picture and not just go for the cheapest option in the short term. 

You should look at your metal roof as an investment. This doesn’t just mean getting a roof that lasts a long time.

Try to install a roof that will actually add value to your home. That means a roof that not only will raise the financial value of your home, but also a roof that you like coming home to each day.

Roofs last a long time (or they should), so don’t get stuck with a bad decision! So don’t just aim for cheapness. Think of your metal roof as an investment and look for features that you will be happy with for a long time. 

If you’ve found this information on the cost of metal roofing useful, why don’t you check out some of our other great articles on home design?