Last May, we had a freak hailstorm/tornado go thru our subdivision in Austin. Totaled our roof. But...at the lake, our house up there luckily was spared any damage from the same system that hit here. We were one of only 4 houses on our street at the lake that had no roof damage. The other homes up there that had major roof damage, mostly had metal roofs. Fast fwd to last week. Had major hailstorm at lake. Incredibly, it took out roofs at the other end of the street, including ours. We went up Sunday to find glass everywhere, windows knocked out, tree limbs down. We cleaned as best we could and came home to call insurance co. Adjuster met us up there today. Before he got there, our neighbors sent a roofer over to give us an estimate. Just for the main house and bunkhouse, (there's a also a boat house) the bid was $5100. for a composition roof. The neighbors who sent him over have a metal roof (which I'd like to have)...and their insurance adjuster's estimate to replace is $21,000. Granted, their house is larger than ours. Our adjuster said any metal roof damage (as of 2008) would be considered "cosmetic" unless it peeled back....and we'd have to live with the pock marks that the hail might leave. I'm stunned that they cost so much, for one thing....and that there's no break for "going Green" with a metal roof. Won't get our claim info until Monday. And all three roofs are totaled.....
I'm wondering if anyone out there has a metal roof and if they're happy with it. I'd still like to have one.
Metal roof v Shingle roof
I am so sorry for the damage you received. We have replaced the roofs on two business properties we own with metal. One was a 1200 sq ft bldg, the other 6100 sq ft. We are immensely pleased with both. I was a bit disappointed that the one didn't shed pinestraw as freely as I had hoped. The amazing thing was the reflective quality ( on lighter metal colors ) keeping the buildings cooler during summer heat. A friend (& customer) replaced both roofs for us.
When it was time to do our home, we wanted metal but the cost of metal had gone sky high and he persuaded us to do a quality 30 year composite roof. He is doing his own home with the same type of shingles. I am really happy with the look of it. When we rebuilt the work shop that burned we did it in the same roofing. Another reason he recommended composite was that we have many vents, jacks and chimneys which make a metal roof more difficult to install (read costly) and more vulnerable to leakage. The cuts of the metal also make a job more costly as in a mansard roofline or dormer windows, etc.
I had heard insurance will not replace dinged or dented metal caused from tree limbs or hail unless there is proof of it causing a leak. Our roofer said there is a certain amount of maintenance with the metal roof that is rarely done. The fiber washers that are used with the screws will deteriorate in the hot sun and cause leaks. He says to do it properly, the washers should be replaced periodically but it is rarely done.
In severe weather conditions, I am not sure that one would be better or worse than the other.
Thanks for input Podster. I guess I won't be getting a metal roof unless we win the lottery. We had a 30 yr roof on the house in Austin...and it lasted 3 yrs! Have 20 yr roof on lakehouse and it lasted 4 yrs! I was not aware of the need to replace the washers on metal roof . That would be a monumental pain. As for metal going sky high...,so has any roofing material. It's so hard to find reliable workes at the lake. They think we're all rolling in money, instead of barely hanging on to our little piece of heaven. DH would dump it in a minute, but I always wanted it to be a place our grandchilden would love to go. We're quickly being taxed out of the market, tho.
Glad to hear the workshop has been rebuilt. Can't tell you the times I've checked to make sure the battery chargers are disconnected before we go to bed!
Most metal roofs do not use the exterior screws anymore. I have a seamless metal roof that I had installed three years ago. We have a 2100 sq foot victorian with four dormers and two gables. The price goes up with the more you have. Our total cost was 15,000 and we even had decorative dragon scales on the ridges. We have had multiple large pecan limbs fall on it with no damage. We did get caught in the big hail storm that destroyed the outlet mall in San Marcos two years ago. Our truck was beat up but the roof was fine. I have found composite shingles to normally run around 2.5x cheaper than metal. However, I have restored many historic houses that have the original metal roof. Good luck.
That old style rolled seam metal is excellent but costly. Your metal roof sounds lovely... I would love to see a photo of it.
Our insurance agent had suggested increasing our insured valuation and after the fire we understood why. Building costs have increased phenominally in recent years. We have since reevaluated it and now for my own use, I still need to take photos of all.
Here it is. I am a little embarrassed as the dormer has not been painted in about 30 years. EEEEEEK!
Here is a shot from the front. We have a fully functional lightning rod on the top of the roof. You know, just in case.
That is very neat! I love the vintage look, thanks for sharing those photos!
I bought my house 5 yrs ago & it had a new roof rated for hurricanes put on 2-3 yrs b4 I bought it.
Well, guess who paid me a long, hard visit in September! You got it! Ike! Not my first hurricane but definitely my worst!
My roof came thru it with only a few, corner shingles raised but not torn away. Little brother got on the roof & laid them back down. Now, I can't even tell you exactly which ones they were.
I have many friends down in the Keys & the ones that still have shingle roofs, paint or spray or something, them white to cool their houses fr that heat which is as bad as anywhere in Texas.
I, too, wanted a metal roof but after hearing the price difference & the increases, I'm going to have to stick w/what I have, also. Of course, unless I hit the lottery but you know what they say about that....You have to play to win & I don't get out much!!! lol
:~)
Love that gorgeous metal roof!
We had a another roofer call us with an estimate today. He said he had to raise his estimate because they'd have to remove two layers of shingles. DH told him he was up there when the other roofers put the new roof on and there was only one layer. I think the gypsys are gonna come out. This guy didn't have a business card (they were having them printed up), and he was from Austin. We're going to stick with someone local up there that's going to hopefully stand behind their warranty. And it'll be composition, mainly because of the cost....but I still love the look of the metal ones.
And Smockette...the adjuster told us the reason all roofing material is sky high is because of Ike! they can't keep up with demand.
Be sure to watch out. The news reported that there would be a lot of scam artists and crooks coming out to rip people off after the storm. Give no cash up front.
In Nov I jhad a new roof put on thanks to Ike and a very nice insurance adjuster and like you wanted metal but it was WAY out of my price range. I went with a 30yr composite and I love it.. I had 2 Layers of shingles removed. The cost was about 5000.00 I have a small 1200 Sq ft house but it has a large roof with tall peaks..in fact most people think my house is a 2 story cause my roof is so tall
heres a pic of the work in progress and of the color, called rustic.. its got green black brick brown gray in it.. I chose it so it would go with most any color the house was. As they were putting it on I was freaking out cause I didnt like it It didnt look like I thought it would.. I was thinking I dont want to have to live with THAT!!!...lol.. it but once it was all done it looked great
This message was edited Apr 5, 2009 9:47 PM
I think you made an excellent choice. The composition roof looks like it "belongs' on your style house. It really is a steep roof! Love it. Our little lake house is pretty small, so I figured it wouldn't be too expensive to put a metal roof on it. And it's rather "rustic."
That is super cute house there. I bet that is a 1943-46. Very cosy.
DH said the second roofer's estimate also listed $1500. for replacing flat tar paper roof on 25'X15' boat house! (I think I'll do it for $500!)
Blkraven ~ do you remember the brand name of those shingles? They look like the 30 year shingles we chose only in a different color and I am drawing a blank on the name of them.
Bubbles... you can't be serious! I am at an age where I pick and choose what I am willing to do. There was a day we did that on a rental property but no more. Those rolls of tarpaper are heavy to get up there and backbreaking work. I won't even offer to assist, sorry! 8 )
Well, I really wouldn't do it unless I had to, but I sure don't think this little boat cover should cost $1500.!!!
Wow! How much of that cost was materials? If I lived closer, I'd come supervise... lol
This was the same guy who said we had two layers of shingles on house. Think DH sorta zoned out after that.... Anxious to hear from adjuster today.
Sorry to hear about all the damage from Ike. We live west of Houston, about 50 miles, and all we got were the really high winds. (but we live in an agricultural area and the winds are always higher than elsewhere around here!) We renovated our 1932 house and put a metal roof on 4 years ago. We love it. We have another small house on the property and when we get the $$ to start on it we'll hopefully be able to put the same type roof on it. Hadn't realized the costs of metal had gone up so much. The metal roof was a little more than a shingle, but not 2.5x I don't think. More like 1.5x. Sure hope I don't have a nasty surprise in the future! Deb
podster, went an dug up my house book..I keep all my house info stuff in it like paint colors and roof info in it... The brand of the shingles is Temko and the color is Rustic
Yeppers, it is a steep roof.. I get lots of rain water off of it and I wish I had more rain barrels set up! the roof makes the house look a lot bigger than it really is..lol.
jujubetexas, youre real close on the age of it.. it was built in 1946.. I got it as a HUD house and it hadnt been loved in a long time..Needed lots of work but its mostly cosmetic Its Bones were good..lol...
I was lucky because of Ike.. Sounds funny to say that but the roof I had on the house when I bought it had about 7 yrs left on it. It was getting to where I was going to have to replace it and it had 2 layers of shingles to be taken off. How I was going to afford that I had no idea.. 2 yrs pass then Ike hits ...After Ike, when the adjuster was here, I pointed out some missing shingles and some loose ones.. I figured theyd fix them and that was all I asked for but the adjuster said she saw other damage (I couldnt see it but what do I know) and put in for a whole roof for me! All I could do was stare at her in shock and nod my head up and down saying okay and whatever you think is best..lol. so now Im all set roof wise thanks to Ike and an understanding adjuster!
this is the front of the house with the old roof on it..
