How Long Does a Metal Roof Last / Cost?

People talk about metal roofs a lot. You might hear someone say theirs will last forever. Another person will swear the price is just too steep. The real story is more balanced than both those claims.

We should clear a few things up. Figuring out a metal roof's lifespan and cost really depends on three key points. You need to consider the metal itself, how good the installer is, and the house it's going on. Getting a handle on this before you call anyone will save you frustration and cash later on.

How Long Does a Metal Roof Really Last?

When installed correctly, a metal roof is one of the toughest choices out there.

How long it lasts changes with the material:

• Steel roofing: 40 to 50 years

• Aluminum roofing: 50 years or more

• Standing seam systems: 50 to 70 years

• Copper roofing: 70+ years, it often lives longer than the building underneath

Now, think about asphalt shingles. Those usually need to be swapped out every 15 to 25 years. One metal roof can easily outlast two, sometimes three, rounds of shingles.

A long life comes down to a few important things:

• Your local weather how much snow, ice, salt air, and wind it faces

• How skilled the installation crew is

• The quality of the paint coatings and the screws or clips used

• Doing simple check-ups and basic care now and then

Look around for proof. All over Ontario, plenty of older commercial buildings still have their original metal roofs from the 1980s. With just a touch-up here or a small repair there over the years, those roofs are still doing their job just fine today.

What Does a Metal Roof Cost?

Let's be honest. A metal roof does cost more money at the start than shingles. No one will argue that. But you have to think about the cost over a very long time.

What you can expect to pay:

• For a house: $9 to $18 per square foot

• For standing seam: $12 to $20 or more per square foot

• For a business property, the price depends completely on the building and how easy it is to work on

What Changes That Final Number?

• How big, steep, or complicated your roof is

• The style, thickness, and color of the panels you pick

• Paying to tear off and haul away the old roof

• How tricky it is to get to the roof safely

• Adding extra insulation or better ventilation

Sure, a shingle roof looks cheaper today. But if you pay to replace it two or three times over fifty years, you will likely spend more than if you put on a metal roof just once.

Built for Those Who Plan to Stay

A metal roof is not the least expensive option you can find. It is a solid, dependable choice for the long run. For people who plan to stay in their home for good, or for someone protecting a major investment, the math makes more sense as the years go by.

If you want straight answers, quality installation, and no surprises on price, you should talk to a pro who cares about how things hold up. Here at Wolfenburg Roofing, we help people pick and put on roofing systems that are made to last.