The roof protects your family and provides comfort within your home by keeping the elements out. It also impacts the outdoor appearance of your home. It is for these reasons that you should take roof selection for your new home or reroofing seriously.

Metal roofing is one of the hottest roofing products on the construction market right now. It is sturdy, durable and available in different finishes, colours and contours. With all the variants available, getting your roof selection right calls for a consultation with a metal roofing specialist. 

If you're considering metal roofing installation, here's a breakdown of what determines the quote and cost estimate of the roofing project.

Roof Design and Size

Calculating the total surface area that needs to be covered by the roofing material is perhaps the simplest way to estimate the initial roofing cost estimate. Other important cost determinants include the following:

• The square footage: Most contractors charge per unit footage.
• Roof design: Complex designs require higher skills and material than standard shapes.
• Fastener type: Concealed fasteners are more expensive than the exposed versions.
• Choice of valleys: Open valleys cost less than self-cleaning concealed valleys, and the latter requires more skills to install and maintain, which means higher labour costs.

Type of Metal

The commonly used metal roofing materials are aluminium, copper, steel, zinc and tin. Each material has a different cost depending on the ease of access and availability. Steel roofs are among the most affordable of the collection, as they are heavier and more easily available. Plus, they are compatible with a wider range of coatings required to improve the functionality and aesthetics of roofing products.

Also, the gauge of the selected material determines the resulting cost. The thicker the material, the higher the gauge. The higher the gauge, the costlier the material. 

Type of Coating

In most cases, copper and zinc metal roofing options aren't painted, because of their natural colour appeal. However, this reduces their overall longevity due to exposure to the elements. Other materials may need different forms of coating, either for aesthetic purposes or to attain other desirable properties. 

Steel, for example, requires an aluminium or zinc coating for rust resistance, while aluminium may require an asphalt coating for a sturdier roof due to its light nature. The choice of coating determines the cost on the initial buy. Consult a metal roofing contractor about what will fit your budget.

When professionally installed and maintained, metal roofing offers an appealing, durable and functional option. Other than the above, the manufacturer's warranty and the contractor's warranty are the two main guarantee considerations for metal roofing. Understanding the coverage of the two warranties is important.