Metal Roofing Crash Course for Homeowners

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

How I became an expert in metal roofing by reading Metal Roofing Alliance’s (MRA) Buyer’s Guide. 

I don't know what my first home will look like, but I know it will have a metal roof. I have only recently become a freelance writer for RoofersCoffeeShop®, but I already know that a metal roof is the way to go. Metal roofs last a long time and provide excellent protection. The problem is, I don't know anything about metal roofing. When it comes to the details and the process of selecting a new metal roof, I am totally out of my depth.   

A new roof is a significant investment. I want to make good choices so that my future roof is reliable and resilient for a good value. I am not alone in being new to metal roofing. Chances are, a majority of you will need someone to hold your hand through the process. Luckily, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has created a guide that is full of everything someone needs to know when they are purchasing a metal roof. The guide leads future metal roof owners through each step of the process, filling them in on what to expect and how to make the best choices. The FREE downloadable Buyer's Guide provides essential background and information designed to make novices to metal roofs into experts by the end of its 23 pages.  

Figuring out if a roof needs to be replaced is a great mystery to me—I always wonder how people seem to intuit that it is time to replace a roof. Reroofing is expensive, so guessing if it needs to happen is a definite stress for me. I was pleased to find a section on how to know it's time for a new roof and what signs to look for. It was particularly helpful to learn to look for missing or damaged roof material, asphalt granules in the gutters, water damage and drastic changes in heating or cooling bills. Now I won't have to worry about knowing when the right time is to reroof—I have the answers in the buyer’s guide.   

Once I decide it is time for a reroof, the buyer's guide will lead me through choosing the right roofing materials, offering easy comparisons in a chart format. Cost, warranty and expected lifespan research are already done and provided. 

Also featured is an extensive rundown of metal roofing styles, colors and coatings. I had no idea a metal roof could be made to look like anything from wood shakes to clay tiles. The endless number of metal roof styles and colors can accommodate any preference for a home style. 

The buyer's guide explains the installation process in detail, telling buyers what to expect from start to finish. I now know each step of getting a metal roof, from choosing the best materials to warranty information and maintenance. There's even a checklist covering all of the steps of the buying process to make sure I won't miss anything, and a notes page to keep all of my information in one place 

I will be saving this guide as a reference when I purchase a house and decide it's time to reroof. When I finally save up for that dream house, I want to preserve the investments I put into it! This buyer's guide is designed to help me make the best choices possible for a metal roof. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to feel more confident about making a wise roofing decision. 

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