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.
Conversely, 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 a variety of 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.
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.
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 (January mean temperature below 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.
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 a number of categories, like true cost, expected lifespan, maintenance, and more. Check it out!
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.