The 5 Most Popular Steel Roof Myths Debunked & Explained

When it comes to installing a residential steel roof, various questions come to mind. Whether you’re worried about increased lighting strikes, rust, or overheating your home, we’re here bust the top steel roof myths that we hear from our customers.

Don’t forget, If you’d like to get a quote for your own steel roofing project, and are in Ontario, click the button and fill out our form. We’ll send you a no obligation quote and won’t be pushy!

Now let’s begin with the 7 metal roofing myths! And don’t forget to stick around for #5 where we dive deep into the myths around metal roof pricing.

Myth 1: Metal Roofs Are Noise-y-er

This is a question that comes up commonly. And it likely stemmed from people’s experience listening to rain or hail hit simple metal utility structures like their metal barn or shed. This could explain how people started to associate metal roofing with noise.

However, the opposite result is true when a metal roof is installed properly and professionally on a residential home. Here’s why:

When installing a metal roofing system, specifically, a Hy-Grade Metal Roofing system, the metal shakes are nailed into a series of wood 2x2s and 1x3s crossing each other on the roof. This creates a small airgap between the existing roof and the new metal roof which in turn increases the amount of material the sound waves must pass for people inside to hear them.

Furthermore, our roofing systems occasionally come with additional material called Ayr-Foil for insulation purposes. This leaves even more of a barrier for the soundwaves.

In the end, our clients end up with a quieter roof than before!

Myth 2: My Metal Roof Will Rust Away…

You see it all the time. You’re driving through the country and there’s a rusty metal barn roof every direction you look. Sadly, this doesn’t help the perpetuation of the rusty roof myth.

While it is true that metal roofing can develop rust, (and we see it often on derelict, utilitarian buildings) when it comes to residential installs, rust proofing depends on a few factors. For example:

• The type of metal used
• How the metal has been treated
• If it has any protective coating on it
• If it was installed correctly

All of this comes together to protect or expose your metal roof to rust.

While we can’t speak for all roofing companies, through the years we’ve developed our own unique installation and engineering methods to prevent our Hy-Grade Roofing Shakes to ever rust on your roof.

Firstly, all our roofing shakes are made from G90 galvanized steel. These are dipped in a thick zinc coating to safeguard the steel from corrosion.

To ensure the galvanization stays over the steel, our shakes are never cut with jaws or grinders. Instead, they’re crimped and sheered to shape. That way the underlying steel is still sealed off from the elements with a zinc layer.

We take it one step further by adding a hefty layer of 4mm PVC coating on top of the shake. This gives it an extra layer of durability and water resistance. That is 4x thicker than the average steel roof coating.

Combine that with Ontario’s dry and cold continental climate, and you have a recipe for rust resistance on your steel roof.

Myth 3: A Metal Roof Will Attract More Lightning Strikes

While it’s true metal is an electrical conductor, it doesn’t mean it will make it more likely a lighting bolt will come and zap your newly installed steel roof.

Lighting is attracted to the highest point in an area no matter it’s composition. And if it does strike a metal roof, it is insulated by wood strapping attached to a wood framed house that is no different than any other house.

Furthermore, even if a metal roof does get hit by lightening, it’s much more fire resistant than the plywood found under roofing shingles.  

Myth 4: Adding a Metal Roof Will Make My House Hotter.

This is one of those steel roof myths that gets thrown around often in the summer months. It’s common to hear people concerned that adding an extra layer of steel roof onto your house will start to transfer heat inside.

However, this is not true.

A properly done steel roofing system will make your house cooler in the summer. This is mainly due to the added airgap between the metal shakes and your attic roof.

The air-gap area, which is around 2 inches, first allows hot air from your attic to vent out and disperse into the air. And second, we have designed custom vent shakes that also allow your hot attic air from pooling via the vent holes.

Furthermore, coatings on metal shakes combined with their steel composition allow roofs to reflect more sunlight and retain less heat than your typical asphalt roof.

But when it comes down to it, the temperature difference is very slight and should not have a huge effect on heating or cooling.

Myth 5: A Metal Roof Costs More!

This is a classic misconception when it comes to metal roofing.

While it is true that a metal roof costs more initially, if we look at the lifetime ownership costs, we start see a dramatic pricing difference and benefit to the steel roofing owner.

Let me show you how:

We can’t tell you how much other people charge, but we can tell you that our average metal roof installation for a residential home cost in southern Ontario will run you around $22,000 CAD.

The average shingle roof installation will cost you around $7-12,000 for medium grade shingles on an average sized house.

However, for a shingle roof, you will need to replace it every 8-12 years.

Whereas a steel roof, will last you more than 50 years.

In 50 years, you’ll have to replace your shingle roof around 4 or more times, which, even if we don’t factor in inflation, will have you spending a minimum of $40,000 dollars upkeeping the shingle roof in this scenario.

Not to mention the hassle and mess for each shingle removal and install.

And let’s not forget that sticker shock at those 8 – 12-year intervals that inflation can bring!

Over the span of a few years, your metal roof will cost much less than an asphalt roof with less headache.

Settling The Score on Steel Roof Myths

It is especially true that in today’s world that cheap today doesn’t necessarily mean its cheap tomorrow. And after all, your roof is your biggest protector from the earth’s elements.

We like to call it your house’s shell. And it’s important to keep it strong. Afterall why would you want a permanent home without a permanent roof?

If you’re interested in protecting your home for long haul, please fill out our quote form here or a call us anytime.

Thank you for watching and we hope to have busted any roofing myths that were on your mind!