Many homeowners want the benefits of a metal roof but struggle to picture how a standing seam metal roof might look on their home. If you're in that camp, we have good news for you! Newer metal roofing product options provide all the benefits of metal roofing but with a more traditional shingle appearance.
How Do Metal Shingles Compare to Vertical Leg Standing Seam Options?
Standing seam metal roofs feature interlocking seams that connect panels, giving the roof a distinct and attractive appearance.
Metal shingles (pictured to the right) offer the appearance of shingles while retaining the benefits of a metal roofing system. Both systems provide the long life and durability of a metal roof, but they offer homeowners options when it comes to the aesthetics of their roof.
Some homeowners’ associations do not allow vertical seam panels because of aesthetics. In these cases, metal shingles may enable the homeowner to retain the metal roof benefits while complying with HOA regulations because metal shingles have a more traditional look.
Color is also a big topic of consideration. Our Milan metal shingles are coated with Kynar 500® and come in various colors and prints.
A significant difference between vertical seam panels and metal shingles is that metal shingles tend to be more expensive to install because of the higher labor costs associated with installing separate “shingles” versus installing a single panel that runs from ridge to eave.
How Do Metal Shingles Compare to Asphalt or Shake Shingles?
The benefits of metal roofing shingles can be seen when compared to asphalt or shake shingles. First, and perhaps most importantly, metal shingles offer homeowners high performance with a service life that is 2-3 times that of asphalt shingles.
Metal shingles also experience less blowoff during high winds than traditional shingles despite being ¼ of the weight of asphalt shingles.
Metal shingles also make an excellent option for environmentally conscious homeowners because the metal they are made from is highly recyclable. They also offer reflective coatings that can help reduce the home's cooling costs, and they may even qualify for reductions in insurance rates.
Our Tilcor CF stone-coated shingles are designed to look like traditional shingles. Tilcor's innovative Concealed Fastening system is truly an industry first. Unlike other systems, which leave gaps and screws exposed to the elements, Tilcor's unique CF Shingle protects all fastening elements, making roofs more reliable, watertight, and durable.
How Does Metal Tile Compare to Ceramic Tile?
Along with the previously mentioned advantages, metal weighs less than other materials like ceramic tile. Ceramic tiles (also known as clay tiles) typically weigh between 9 ½-12 lbs. per square foot, while metal panels weigh approximately 1 lb. per sq. foot.
If the material weighs ten times more, imagine the additional shipping and installation costs for ceramic tile materials over metal. The weight of clay tiles also drives up the building infrastructure cost for new construction, making modifications to existing structures virtually impossible. Before finalizing your product selection, you should always check with a local engineer to determine structural integrity and loading requirements.
Metal roof options like our Met-Tile install in a fraction of the time required for ceramic tiles. They can also be installed in any environment. In contrast, clay tiles are not generally recommended in regions with repetitive freeze-thaw cycles (average January temperature under 25 degrees).
McElroy Metal's Met-Tile roofing panel provides the appearance of ceramic tile roofing while delivering property owners, and service provides an option that is fast, easy, efficient, affordable, and attractive. A Met-Tile roof looks so much like ceramic tiles that most people are surprised to learn the roof is metal.
Comparing Residential Roofing Options
For a quick reference, the Metal Roofing Alliance illustrates all of the similarities and differences between common residential roofing material types in this table, where they compare various roof construction materials across several categories, like true cost, expected lifespan, maintenance, and more. Check it out!
Want to Learn More?
Learn more about metal roofing for your home by visiting our Residential Metal Roofing overview.
You may also be interested in downloading our Residential Metal Roofing Guide.
If you have any questions, please contact us or locate a distributor or roofing contractor in your area.
Learn everything you need to know about Residential Metal Roofing. Check out our metal roofing resources for inspiration and answers to your questions.
About McElroy Metal
Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The employee-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 14 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.
Topics: Metal Roofing, Standing Seam Systems, Residential, Milan
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