7 Reasons Metal Roof Shingles Aren’t The Best Option

If you’re looking for a durable roofing, you find yourself, like many others, exploring metal shake shingles.

It isn’t without reason: a metal shake roof can provide homes with a great deal of protection. Metal roofs are incredibly popular, particularly in areas of the country where severe weather, such as heavy rain and hail storms, are typical. However, they are not without their disadvantages.

Let’s take a closer look at metal shake shingles and discuss their primary issues.

What Are Metal Shakes?

Metal shakes are roofing shakes that are made out of metal. Whereas most shakes are made from wood, metal shakes are made to mimic wood but are instead made of metal.

Mimicking the look of textured wood is easy with materials like metal, steel, or aluminum, and therefore, metal shakes are a more affordable option than some other materials used to replicate wood shakes.

Metal shakes are also commonly used in rural and agricultural areas, and they are most commonly used for barns, sheds, and farm buildings. Some other buildings that could benefit from metal shakes are animal houses, outhouses, shops, or garages.

7 Metal Shake Roofing Problems

In case you’re looking to replace your current roof and are interested in metal shingles, we want you to know about the issues that come with choosing a metal tile shake roof.

1. High Metal Shake Roofing Prices

One of the issues to keep in mind are the prices. In order to get a durable roof, you end up paying a hefty price. A metal shake roof, although more affordable than other shake look-alikes, costs much more than other roofing materials, like asphalt shingles. In fact, the costs of metal roofing can range anywhere from $120 to $900 per 100 square feet of roofing material, depending on the quality and type of metal.

However, the high cost also comes from the installation. It is not easy to install metal roofs and requires professionals who know what they are doing. This can increase the overall cost associated with metal roofing.

2. There is More Noise with Metal Roofs

The protection you get from metal shake shingles comes at an additional, perhaps annoying cost. While they are a great option for protecting a home against things like wind and hail, they are also incredibly noisy. Whenever it rains or hails, you will hear the sound the entire time, which some can find very bothersome.

There is the option to add extra insulation to the roof to help dampen the sound. However, again, that is an additional cost to keep in mind with metal shake roofing prices already being so high.

3. Metal Roofs Dent More Easily

While a metal tile shake roof can withstand bad weather more than other roofing options, that does not mean it will survive unscathed. Rain and snow will not cause any significant damage, but the same cannot be said for hail.

As strong as metal is, it can dent very easily, which is not good because of the resulting worn appearance it creates. Large branches falling onto the roof during storms can also create dents on the surface. Not to mention, these damages can lead to required repairs.

4. Moisture Can Get Trapped Under Metal Shingles

Unfortunately, another common problem with metal shake shingles is that water accumulation can severely affect the performance of a metal roof. This can happen if there are poorly-done repairs or simply because of a bad installation job.

When this happens, water can seep between the shingles, and moisture can become trapped. This creates the perfect breathing ground for mold, fungus, and other kinds of bacteria. This can cause the interior framing to become rotted and unstable, which creates much bigger safety issues.

5. Not Many Options in Regards to Appearance

Another issue with metal shake shingles is their appearance. For the most part, there isn’t anything very unique about them. Now, there is metal roofing that looks like cedar shakes, which offers a more unique and visually appealing appearance. 

These metal cedar shakes are especially popular with people who want an alternative to the traditional cedar wood shakes that will provide more protection and durability. Unfortunately, you may be required to repaint a metal cedar shake roof in order to keep up with the metal cedar shakes appearance.

6. Not as Durable as You Might Think

On the surface metal shakes seem pretty durable and denting can be avoided with shakes of a certain thickness. One thing about metal shakes in cold climates is that they expand and contract pretty badly. 

When this expansion and contraction happens over and over again, it can loosen the screws that keep them pinned in place. Once the screws are loose, the shakes can lift, which allows moisture to enter and seep into the structure, and make them vulnerable to high-winds and likely to fly off in a storm. 

7. Bureaucratic Reasons

HOA’s are not a fan of metal shakes and often forbid them on homes within their neighborhoods. This will obviously prevent you from using metal shakes if they’re not approved by your HOA. Also, metal shakes may not be approved by insurance either, which could cause even more issues if your roof is damaged by hail or storms.

An Alternative Option to Metal Roof Shingles

Because metal roofing has numerous disadvantages, you should consider CeDUR synthetic cedar shakes as a better alternative. Here’s why:

Zero Expansion

Unlike metal cedar shakes, CeDUR synthetic shakes are made out of a polyurethane material, which allows them to be just as lightweight as a metal shake roof but do not expand and contract like metal shakes do in cold weather.

Customization

Metal comes in only one or two colors, which often needs repainting overtime. CeDUR shakes, however, have a little something for everyone. With unique colors and styles such as Walden, Shiloh, Live Oak, and Golden Cedar, there is plenty of stylistic variety within the CeDUR lineup of synthetic shake roofing. 

Longevity

CeDUR shakes can also last an entire lifetime without needing replacement, whereas metal shake roofing rarely lasts quite as long. Unlike metal roofing that looks like cedar shakes, there is no need to worry about the paint chipping, cracking, or warping, so there is no need to ever repaint CeDUR shingles. Not to mention, CeDUR’s products are also incredibly durable, and they offer a Class A Impact and Fire Rating, and will not warp, chip, crack, or dent.

Noise

Metal roof shingles can be noisy, to say the least. Whether it's rain, hail, or wind, the noise on the roof can be heard from inside, which can be easily disrupting. CeDUR shakes, however, will not create loud noise in the event of weather.

Affordability

Finally, CeDUR roofing shakes are much more affordable and easy to install compared to metal roofing shingles. They also provide more of an insulative barrier than metal does, which can help you with heating and cooling costs throughout the year. 

CeDUR Shakes Are a Superior Alternative to Metal

When you consider the drawbacks that come with metal roofing, you may start to think twice.Although a metal shake roof is durable, there are other lightweight roofing options to consider.

And if you want a durable, lightweight roofing option that is better than a metal shake roof, consider CeDUR synthetic cedar shakes.

Contact us or request more information from us today!