Friday, August 19, 2011

Get that guarantee in writing!

When doing a cost analysis between asphalt shingles and metal roofing, it's not unusual for the shingle advocate to say "These high quality 'lifetime' shingles should last around 35-45 years." 
    Sure they will.  Get it in writing.

Comments worth reading again...

MetalRoofNet said...
The MRA is correct. It is absolutely NOT possible that asphalt roofing products weigh less than metal - at 2-5 lb/sq ft, the average comp roof is 10,500 pounds. Metal weighs roughly 1.4 lb/sq ft. In fact, one of its selling features is its light weight, which means no structural consideration are necessary if one chooses metal as a re-roof material, and also why it's so popular in earthquake country.  Nice try, Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association! 

Mary said...
Metal roofs are the best choice when you want a long lasting roof.
gulfcoastsupply.com is a metal roofing manufacturer and supplies wholesale metal roofing and residential metal roofing materials. 
  
I would almost go the other way with this post and title it "I don't want to be THE LAST person on my block without Metal Roofing". We have seen the industry grow every year in Metal Roofing, it is simply the best product on the market today for roofing products. Asphalt doesn't last and homeowners today are looking for a more permanent solution. With a lifetime warranty, lower energy bills and a break on home insurance most customers are more than happy building that kind of home equity.

MetalRoofNet said...
It's also likely that there are metal roofs in your very neighborhood that you've admired, not even knowing they're metal! Coated steel tiles and shakes are a beautiful roofing option with an array of colors, and metal roofing in general comes in more styles, materials, finishes and colors than any roofing product on the market today.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sell Homeowners What They Really Want

Does anyone ever just buy a car for transportation?  No.  Never.  If they have a choice, they buy the image.  Whether it's practical, smart, expensive, innovative - they are sending a message to everyone who sees them driving.  If we only bought a vehicle for transportation, we'd all be driving mopeds in the summer and trucks in the winter.

The same is true of a home's roof.  No one ever simply buys a new roof.  Appearance is a major consideration, right up there with value.  Value is the warranty is the guaranteed performance.  Guaranteed performance sells cars - in fact, many, many people PAY to extend the guaranteed performance. 

Buying a new roof follows the same thought process.  Focus on guaranteed performance.  Remind the homeowner how fast the past 15 years went by.  The next 15 won't be any different and they'll find themselves in the same position all too soon.

Side by side, feature for feature, value for value, metal roofing wins every time.  Home owners want a roof that lasts, and that's why acceptance and market penetration of metal roofing is increasing. 

The Best First Roof is Metal

When it is time to re-roof, a homeowner will weigh the pros and cons of all roofing materials, look at their budget, and choose the best material they can afford.

Given a choice on a new home, the soon-to-be homeowner is much more likely to choose metal roofing.  The warranty alone is good reason.  Then add style, color, durability... it's a slam dunk.

Many metal roofing manufacturers are approaching architects and new home builders to choose the best first roof, metal.  Thanks to these efforts, the number of residential metal roofs is increasing.  And as more and more people have the positive experience that is metal roofing, the metal re-roofing market will expand.

Is there a residential community that now has mostly metal roofing?  Let your fellow contractors know about it.  It can become a valuable resource in closing a sale. 

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Who Is Telling the Truth about Weight?

This is from the Metal Roofing Alliance web site:

Q. Would a metal roof be too heavy for certain types of homes, or for smaller structures like a detached garage or porch?

A. You'll be surprised to learn that a metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. With metal roofing, weight on a structure is never an issue.  (The above comment is on this page.)

This is from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association web site:

Asphalt steep-slope roofing products are designed for safe, speedy and hassle-free installation all year round in any conditions. Weighing substantially less than rival products such as tile, concrete, slate, wood, and metal, asphalt is easy to store, transport and unload. (The above comment is on this page.)

So, who is telling the truth?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Metal Roofing Colors

Some people shy away from metal roofing because they believe they will look plain and dull. In fact, there are many metal roofing colors available and the only challenge is finding the right one.
If you're interested in metal roofing, you'll be pleased to know that there are many options available. Metal roofing comes in all shades of red, blue and green, so there is something out there to suit any taste. There are also many beautiful neutral shades. Here are some ideas:
http://www.berridge.com/standard_berridge_colors.htm
http://www.unaclad.com/contractors/colors.php
http://www.pac-clad.com/color-availability-chart/
http://www.dmimetals.com/sections/products/colorchart.asp

Can A Person Walk on A Metal Roof

Yes! But metal roofs require little maintenance, so there should be few reasons to walk on it. Ask your installer for specific details about walking on your type of metal roofing material.

Roofing Calculator

This tool calculates the ballpark roofing estimate costs for virtually any residential roofing project (Pricing is calculated in the U.S dollars). The bottom-line roofing price changes depending on the choice of roofing materials used, roof size, steepness of the roof slope, and general complexity of the roof. Figures obtained with the roofing calculator, reflect hiring skilled roofing professionals with ample experience, right tools, liability insurance, and workers' compensation. Calculated roof prices apply to North Eastern region of the U.S. Roof prices may require substantial adjustment for other parts of the country.
http://www.newenglandmetalroof.com/roofing-calculator.html

Metal vs. Asphalt?


ASPHALT: Did you ever notice that when a homeowner chooses a metal roof, they decide to “upgrade.”  And the choice to stay with asphalt is a reluctant one.  The decision is usually based on cost, but the cost of asphalt roofing depends on the style.  Something in asphalt that looks good will cost more, making a metal roof more competitive.

I have algae mold growing on the roof of a building that still has an asphalt roof.  Again, asphalt that resists algae costs more. 

METAL: Metal roofs handle higher winds than asphalt.  Metal roofs weigh less than asphalt.  Metal roofs resist fire and can lower insurance premiums.  Metal roofs have a guarantee of ten to twenty years more than asphalt.  Metal roofs have style and options… no one has ever looked at an asphalt roof and thought it was anything other than asphalt.  Many people admire a metal roof and ask, "What is your roof made of?"