[Greenbuilding] [BULK] roof replacement asphalt versus steel

[Lawrence Lile]

I'm a big fan of steel roofs, and I have one on my current home.  I was
in a similar situation to you - my old house was damaged by hail while I
was in the process of building new.  I went back with shingles, after
considering metal, because I didn't want to invest a whole lot of money
in a house I'd be moving out of right away. 

Metal roofs are definitely more expensive.  Generally, well constructed
metal roofs (not barn metal) will take quite a beating.  None of the
metal roofs that went through the hailstorm were replaced, there were
probably 10,000 ashpalt roofs replaced in my town.  A good metal roof
should outlast you, and perhaps a few of your kids.  I've lived in
places with metal roofs that were put on after the civil war, still OK.


Metal is an investment for the long term, and for the planet.  HOA's
don't' like it because it used to be seen as cheap, (it WAS!) and the
only option was barn metal.  Now with the better quality standing seam
metal, it is seen as a higher quality roof, and might add some value to
a house, but probably not enough to justify it if you are selling in two
years.  That's my 2c, you can come to another conclusion without much
effort.  

Lawrence Lile, PE, LEED AP
Project Solutions Engineering

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Ben Pratt
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2007 10:38 PM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] roof replacement asphalt versus steel
Importance: Low

I'm in a 1929 "tudor revival" house which i've put a lot of work 
into, but don't like. MY wife and i have the dream of buying some 
land and building a more efficient home--possibly a sips house, in 
the next 2-3 years. (Hopefully our house value will climb up again 
and the interest rate will be closer to what we are paying.) But this 
is a dream, and, we could very well end up being here for twenty 
years--until I retire.
     Anyway, my roof, gutters, and a lot of other things on the house, 
were just damaged in a big storm (80mph straight-line winds). I'm 
hoping when the adjuster comes out he will agree the entire roof 
needs replacement. It has asphalt shingles, with a discontinued 
color. (Also, the last roofing job was very poorly done--only flashed 
with tar--so i really want it done right.)