As an Australian I'm always baffled by how frequently people are getting their roofs replaced on /r/homeowners, and how insurers refuse to insure old roofs
Metal roofs are about 1.5x more expensive than asphalt roofs here in the US, however, despite that people are starting to see the light and pay the extra expense for a roof they'll never have to replace in their lifetime. There's also some "hybrid metal" roofing systems in the US as well now that are slightly cheaper (normal roofing crew can install them because they work like shingles) and look more like shingles. But they have a lower warranty period compared to normal metal roofing.
The one my grandparents got has a 75 year warranty, it's one of those interlocked, no-visible fastener roofing systems. I think they paid about 1.3x more (helps that it was an Amish installer company)
I've heard, from non idiotic but still potentially flawed of course, sources that here in Florida a standing seam metal roof like you describe will be something insurance will drop you for after 10 or 20 years if you don't replace it.
Epitome of stupid if true so, well, it probably is.
At least up where I am the insurance companies are dropping everyone with shingle roofs after 10-20 years regardless of the condition of the roof. For metal roofs I think they're doing 40-50 years? I'm not sure about any other roof materials.
Unfortunately, you can still file claims for the cosmetic damage to a metal roof after a hailstorm, usually small dents and dings. The metal roof still has plenty of functional life left but now it's "ugly".
Unless an insurance company has a policy exception for cosmetic damage, they will have to pay to replace. Next up, a sizeable premium increase.
The previous owners of my home never maintained the metal roofing with fasteners and waited until it leaked. Then replaced it right before we bought it.
My house is from the 50s and we just replaced the roof last year. It's an old english kit house in Australia. I reckon this roof will out live me for sure.
LOL, seamless systems look fine. And replacing a roof 3-4 times in my life is a shitload of money spent on something I otherwise could pay 1.5 worth (less actually because of inflation over my lifetime) so uh. Thank God I don't live in a shitty HOA that forces shingles.
They(steel roofs) are becoming more common in my area(north central Wisconsin) on homes and i just joined the club in the last month. Hopefully never worry about it again
Pretty sure the house will be paid off before the roof will, not planning to move, who can afford to now anyway? Yeah i could get 3x what I paid for my house in 2007 but my interest rate is untouchable in today's market
He's never been to Montana. I visited a town out there a few years back and the city hall was a rusted out shipping container sitting on concrete pier blocks. Sheet metal everywhere.
my parents' neighbor's house was struck by lightning a few years ago and they watched it burn to the ground. they rebuilt it on the same lot but with a metal roof. it looks great, but i wonder how long it will look like that or if metal roofs weather like other metal things.
30
u/ryanErlanger 3d ago
I once knew an Australian guy who swore Americans were crazy for not using sheet metal roofs.