Selling metal to customers for roofing renovation projects

by Christopher Brinckerhoff | 5 February 2025 10:00 am

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As metal roofing captures an increasingly large slice of the residential roofing market, here is an inside look at two homeowners’ reroofing experiences.

A homeowner in Tempe, Ariz., needed to replace his aging wood shake roof. After multiple patches and repair attempts, it became impractical to salvage it.

Having first considered another shake roof, he knew he would likely face the same issues and need another replacement. It was clear that he needed an alternative.

The roof is massive, with multiple chimneys and valleys, covering around 1,068 m² (11,500 sf) of space. A traditional Southwest tile roof would be too heavy, and the prospect of cracked tiles and additional maintenance was unappealing. After learning that metal roofs weigh significantly less than tile and often last longer, the verdict
was obvious.

After much research, the homeowner narrowed his options to standing seam metal roofing or metal shingles. While standing seam is durable and energy efficient, it was not the right look for his house, and choosing a shingle allowed him to match the appearance of his last roof.

The homeowner enjoys many benefits from his metal roof, but his favorite is its long lifespan. He has also received many compliments on his new roof’s style. Most people are fooled by its appearance and expect another wood-shake roof until they get closer.

However, the energy-efficient coating was the biggest surprise. It saved nearly 25 percent on the electric bill, which is no small feat in sunny Arizona.

This next homeowner also prioritized energy efficiency for his project, but this time for a newly constructed home.

For this Chicago-area homeowner, building his own house was an opportunity to create the green home of his dreams. He planned on managing his home’s carbon footprint by carefully selecting energy-efficient construction materials and processes. Reducing material usage and choosing environmentally friendly products with low or zero volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were guiding principles throughout the project.

He aimed to earn a Gold rating from the National Green Building Standard (NGBS) by following the organization’s interior and exterior design guidelines. For a project like this, every part of the home must be considered. For example, every roofing element affects the potential rating, including ventilation, roof overhangs, energy efficiency, heating and cooling costs, flashing, water resistance, underlayment, insulation, the building’s thermal envelope, and roof water discharge.

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The homeowner said, “Constructing a green home was our priority. We wanted to minimize our environmental impact in every way possible.”

The roofing system plays a big role in the overall rating, so the homeowner knew he needed to select the perfect roofing material, finish, and design to meet the criteria.

His product of choice was the Oxford aluminum shingle. Made from recycled aluminum and coated with an industry-leading PVDF finish, it features a Class IV hail impact rating and a Class A fire rating. Each panel interlocks on all four sides to create a watertight surface when paired with the appropriate underlayment.

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However, the energy efficiency of the coating and the recycled aluminum construction cemented his choice. The homeowner was also swayed by the metal roofing’s recycled content, longevity, and recyclability after its functional life.

Of course, solar panels were part of his home’s approach to managing energy consumption and carbon footprint.

With the new metal roof capping it off, the project achieved a Gold rating and met all its environmental and aesthetic goals.

When asked about choosing a metal roof, he said, “Go for it. While it is currently more expensive, it lasts significantly longer, cuts energy costs, and has a significantly smaller environmental footprint.”

More and more homeowners are considering metal roofing for their roof replacement and new construction needs. The unique blend of durability, contemporary style, and unmatched performance set it apart from other common roofing options. Market share backs this trend, too, with metal roofing holding a more significant percentage than ever before.

Ethan Young is the content writer for Classic Metal Roofing Systems, a family-owned company based in Piqua, Ohio. Established in 1980, Classic is a leader in commercial and residential metal roofing and a producer of permanent roofing solutions and underlayment. For more information, visit classicmetalroofingystems.com.[4]

Source URL: https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/features/metal-roofing-reno/

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