As a roofing alternative to asphalt shingles, metal roofs offer many homeowner advantages. They are long-lasting, require minimal maintenance and improve energy efficiency. Plus, they’re impervious to fire, rot and insects. A metal roof can add a significant resale value to a home, too.

What type of roof is best?

A metal roof is typically composed of rolls of galvanized or galvalume steel (which has zinc and aluminum added to strengthen the material) or copper, zinc or aluminum and is then formed into panels. Two main types of metal roofing panels exist: standing seam with hidden or exposed fasteners, and shingle-style with concealed fasteners.

The type of metal you choose depends on your climate, your budget and your style preferences. The cheapest option is steel. It’s durable and comes in gauges that can mimic the look of shingles or standing seams. The more expensive options include copper and 24-gauge galvalume. Copper is an attractive option because it’s a lifetime roofing material that won’t rust. Stainless steel is another roofing material but it’s much more expensive than copper and 24 gauge galvalume.

A metal roof should be installed on top of plywood sheathing. It’s also important to make sure that your installers use a good quality base metal and coating. Metal Roofing Alliance Executive Director Renee Ramey says using subpar base metals and coatings can shorten a metal roof’s lifespan. It’s also crucial to understand how different roofing systems perform in various weather conditions. A properly installed metal roof is quieter than a shingle roof in rainstorms and won’t suffer from the same issues as an asphalt shingle roof during a hail storm.