Buying a Metal Roof 101

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

The Metal Roofing Alliance provides a buyer’s guide with everything your customers need to know when purchasing a metal roof.

Roofs protect us, help keep us warm and cool depending on the season, and shelter us from the elements.  Although I’m new to the industry, I did know that roofs are extremely important and a huge expense. However, if I needed a new roof on my home, I wouldn’t know where to begin, what to look for, what products were good quality, or what to expect when the installation began.  Most of your customers are probably like me and are new to roofing too, but not to worry, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has us covered.  They are providing a downloadable Buyer’s Guide.  And it’s FREE!  It’s an easy-to-follow guide that takes your customers through each step in choosing a metal roof.

First things first, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance, a metal roof is the way to go.  Since metal roof is in their name, it makes sense they would say this, however, I can corroborate that metal roofs last a long time and provide great protection.  My parents own a small general store in the middle of the woods. We have four additional buildings on our property and all of these buildings have metal roofs. These roofs have lasted forever!  I can’t remember the last time any of the buildings needed to be reroofed. That’s a testament to their strength, durability, and longevity.  

How do your customers know when it’s time to get a new roof?  According to the buyer’s guide, they will learn about the signs that indicate it’s time to re-roof: the age of their roof in general, missing, loose, or damaged roof material, a sagging roof, asphalt granules in the gutters, exposed or loose nails, water damage inside their home or attic, missing or damaged flashings, curbs, or roof jackets, and if their heating or cooling bills have increased dramatically.  That last one surprised me the most. I don’t know if I would have made that connection without reading the buyer’s guide.

Once your customer determines they need a new roof, there are 24 pages of information to help them through the process.  The MRA buyer’s guide video even helps homeowners compare roofing materials, styles, and colors so they understand how to select a quality product.  The true cost, warranty, and expected lifespan are all conveniently researched and provided in a chart format for easy comparison...  I had no idea there were so many different types of roofs out there: metal vertical seam, metal stamped panel, asphalt, clay tile, shake, and slate.  They can make metal look like anything, even wood shakes and clay tiles. There are so many different varieties of styles and colors that can fit any kind of home and personal preference.

The installation process is explained from start to finish in the guide so homeowners know what to expect each step of the way.  The guide finishes with warranty information, care and maintenance tips, and a checklist to make sure your customer doesn’t miss anything and to help them preserve their new investment.  The checklist takes them through all the steps the guide explained in full and has a notes page so they can keep all of your information in one place. They thought of everything!

Seeing as I don’t own a home now, I intend to in the future.  And I’m definitely going to save this guide to reference when it comes time for a new roof.  It truly has everything I need! And after reading through it, I feel more knowledgeable and confident that I could make a well-informed decision about my roofing needs.   

Download the buyer's guide and share it with your customers.

Visit Metal Roofing Alliance for more information and to become an MRA member. 

About MRA

Representing metal roofing manufacturers in the United States and Canada, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) was formed to help educate consumers about the many benefits of metal roofs. The main objective of MRA is to increase awareness of the beauty, durability and money-saving advantages of quality metal roofs among homeowners, as well as to provide support for metal roofing businesses and contractors. For more information, visit MRA.