In Canada, many buildings are equipped with metal roofing. From the opulent Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City to the humble homes of a residential neighbourhood in Edmonton, this type of roofing has proven that it can stand the test of time (it lasts an average of 50 years). However, from time to time metal roofing needs to be pampered and repaired.

Here are a few aspects to take into consideration when repairing a metal roof

Photo: Flickr-Stephen Drake

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, this material is very durable. Once it has been set up, you won’t have to do any major repairs for another 50 years. However, given that you are reading this article, it seems that at this moment, you’ve noticed that your metal roof needs fixing.

Another possibility that may have brought you here is that your roof is currently covered in asphalt shingles and you’d like to change for another material that requires less maintenance. In the latter case, metal roofing is a very good option.

The main advantages of metal roofing

Even though the price can seem like a major inconvenience, metal roofing comes with a lot of advantages that have to be taken into consideration. Metal is easy to clean and maintain: a good yearly inspection, along with a few touches of paint once in a while should do the trick. The surface will never rust and many different colours and textures are available on the market.

To top it all off, since aluminum is 100% recyclable, it’s an eco-friendly option. People say that a metal roof lasts a lifetime. Most of all, it’s an investment that ends up giving back. It adds value to your house, in addition to being weather-proof.

For more information, check out the following article: Pros and cons of sheet metal roofing

A few maintenance techniques

Even though sheet metal roofs are tough, it does not hurt to clean them from time to time, to remove debris and give them a nice facelift. For example, moisture spots may appear on the surface. To solve this problem, you can apply a solution consisting of 100 ml of detergent, 200 ml of trisodium phosphate, 1 litre of 5% sodium chlorate and 3 litres of water. 

Afterwards, be sure to rinse the surface with clean water. You can also tackle places where dust tends to accumulate. A solution of water and detergent will be very effective for this purpose. Your solution should contain 100 ml of detergent for 4 litres of water.

Click here for more information about cleaning and maintaining metal roofs.

Cost of metal roofing

Unfortunately, metal roofing is expensive. However, over time it becomes cost-effective. This high price is explained by the fact that the installation process and repairs require a lot of specialized manual labour. Certain roofing companies do not work on metal roof surfaces, as they are not equipped to install this type of material.

Moreover, some pieces have to be custom-made by hand. Compared to asphalt shingles, material replacement prices can be 8 to 12 times higher.  However, metal roofing is 3 to 5 times more durable. Even though the price will generally stay slightly above average when compared to other types of roofing, price variations still exist within the different kinds of metal roof materials (galvanized steel, aluminum and copper).

The latter is the most expensive option, with prices ranging from $24 to $36 per square foot. Galvanized steel roofing costs between $14 and $27 per square foot whereas aluminum roofing costs from $9 to $14 per square foot.

This article gives a more detailed view of how much metal roofing costs: The price of sheet metal roofing.