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There are numerous factors that go into determining just how much installing a metal roof is likely to cost you. Depending on your location, the freight costs of getting the raw materials there will make for different off-the-shelf pricing. In fact, your average contractor will tack their own commission onto the cost of any materials you ask them to buy, the reason that, if you intend to save on your building or renovation, you're probably best off buying directly from the local distributor or manufacturer, preferably in a bulk purchase with another would-be renovator to get wholesale prices on your metal roof materials. The most popular brands such as Met-Tile, Prestige, Gerard and Decrabond offer the best warranties on their materials, and will be able to recommend you to a roofer in your area qualified to install their particular product.

Remember that the cost of bringing someone in to redo a poor job will far outweigh cash you might save by going with a less skilled roofer. Never hire a roofer that hasn't worked with the particular roofing material you plan to use. For any good contractor, they're likely to charge you less for installing a metal roof than more traditional fiber glass or clay tiles. because the shingles are so lightweight, easy to transport, and easy to clip together. Some metal shingles are even sold in pre-assembled sheets, significantly reducing the amount of time it takes to cover the proposed roof surface.

Simplicity of design is what makes for an easy roofing job, so if you roof's replete with irregular features like skylights, gable-fronted dormers and chimneys you can expect to pay a mint compared to the guy in the cottage shaped block that had his house re-shingled last week. The reason for the extra cost of installing your metal roof will be that making the odd, irregular parts will require the presence of an expensive, portable device that roofers use to cut panels on site - it's known as a brake, and uses hydraulically powered, razor sharp teeth for incredible slicing accuracy. Don't even consider renting one yourself - it's definitely not for the use of an amateur builder, and has a long record of relieving unwary dilettantes of their fingers.

While base metal roof prices are a little steep by comparison to fiberglass and asphalt roofs, if you plan to stay in your home, the cost will more than justify itself. Metal roofing is naturally flame retardant. Indeed, because of its noncombustible characteristics, many insurance companies offer discounts of up to 25 percent on policies for homes with metal roofs.

Aside from this, you'll save on electricity (and your carbon footprint!) when summer hits, as the reflective properties of metal will help keep your house from absorbing solar heat - running your air conditioner round the clock to no effect will be a thing of the past.Try shingles with a Kylar coating - a plastic layer that will enhance the reflective properties of your roofing, and their aesthetic appeal with it. You'll find that the cost of installing metal roofing just about pays for itself.

Alternatively, a Zinc-Aluminum coating (of the kind sported by galvalume shingles) will not only have this effect, but also make your roof far less likely to corrode - the only thing you'll need to do for up-keep is hose it down occasionally. With this treatment, there's nothing you can build your roof out of that will match copper, stainless steel or aluminum for its durability - indeed, educated estimates suggest that these roofs may last up to seventy years without needing to be re-shingled. With that kind of a timeline, the cost of installing a metal roof seems less like a burden, and more like a valuable investment.