metal roofs (insurance, how much, house)

[CapeCodder]

Since we were talking about insurance for roof rakers, it got me thinking about metal roofs.

Personally I love the look of them.
I would eventually like to have one here. I have three skylights as well...is that a big issue?

I would love to hear the pros and cons of a metal roof.

Thanks and looking forward to all your insights as usual.

[Northern Maine Land Man]

Metal roofs shed snow well. When a foot of packed snow comes off that roof you don't want anything of value near it. It can kill your kid, wreck your car and tear off the vent pipe on the roof. Your entrance should not be where the snow slides off. You should not use a metal roof where there are gables. At the locastion of any skylight, the area above the skylight must be elevated so the snow will glide right over the skylight. Otherwise you'll have a dam that will eventually cause a leak.

Other than that, you're good to go with a metal roof.

[ribbets]

Mine was easy, no obstruction except stink pipe and a standard cap fit over it. Roof vents and skylights would create a whole bunch of problems that I don't think I could have done without pro. advice,and the proper tools they have.. But there are numerous types of metal roofs. Mine was the easiest but I've seen some of the seamless types put on by professional installers on some pretty complicated roof with dormers and skylights..

[Bydand]

Actually the snow coming off a roof will not bother an electrical entrance at all. Meter base w/ meter sticks out less than the eves do on the VAST majority of homes. Where the overhead line hooks to the house is VERY secure and I have NEVER in 26 years of being an Electrician had to re-attach a Service Entrance wire that has been pulled off the home by ice coming off any style roof. Hooked by a passing dump truck with the bed raised (3 times), Pole snapping and pulling it off (2 times), Having a teen-ager swinging off it from his upstairs bedroom window, and bouncing while hanging there (once, bet he NEVER did it again either), House hit by a sheriff's car (once , still laughing about that), but never from Ice off the roof.

If you have dormers, skylights, or a couple of Valleys on your roof then you need to have a pro install the metal roof. All of that can, and is, worked around in Maine by pros installing metal roofing.

[CapeCodder]

I wasn't even entertaining a DIY project with the roof...I'm just learning basics now.

It just doesn't seem like there's too many negatives with a metal roof done right.

I think this roof is about 14 years old...roughly how long should it last (regular asphalt shingled roof)? Can you put a metal roof right over this type of roof or does it need to be stripped?

Thanks all...

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by CapeCodder

I wasn't even entertaining a DIY project with the roof...I'm just learning basics now.

It just doesn't seem like there's too many negatives with a metal roof done right.

I think this roof is about 14 years old...roughly how long should it last (regular asphalt shingled roof)? Can you put a metal roof right over this type of roof or does it need to be stripped?

Thanks all...

Asphalt shingles may be warranteed up to 25 years, so whether they need to be replaced depends on the quality of the shingles installed and how much they have weathered.

I don't know if they *need* to be stripped.

[CapeCodder]

Originally Posted by Zymer

Asphalt shingles may be warranteed up to 25 years, so whether they need to be replaced depends on the quality of the shingles installed and how much they have weathered.

I don't know if they *need* to be stripped.

I can't really think of a reason why they would need to be stripped either.

I don't know what type of shingle is on the roof? Guess we'll have to see when/if we spring a leak. Thanks Zymer.

[Zymer]

Originally Posted by CapeCodder

I don't know what type of shingle is on the roof? Guess we'll have to see when/if we spring a leak.

If that information wasn't provided when you bought the house, I think there are ways of estimating- basically judging how much of the colored gravel coating has worn of.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by CapeCodder

I wasn't even entertaining a DIY project with the roof...I'm just learning basics now.

It just doesn't seem like there's too many negatives with a metal roof done right.

I think this roof is about 14 years old...roughly how long should it last (regular asphalt shingled roof)? Can you put a metal roof right over this type of roof or does it need to be stripped?

Thanks all...

i havent seen a metal roof be placed right on top of shingles,,ive seen a second layer of shingles be placed on top of the first layer.
im seeing the so-called architectural shingles being used a lot,
shingles can take a beating in maine, temp fluctuations, humidity, ice build up, etc. 20 yrs is usually the average lifespan for most asphalt shingles, even the "40 year" asphalt shingles.

always try to get a reference,,before you hire a roofer, unless you know them personally..

[Submariner]

I had a stink pipe going up through our metal roof. [had past tense]

We have amazing huge sheets of ice and snow sliding off our roof sometimes.

Last week they came down and snapped our propane fuel lines.