Without any doubt, roofing can be considered a somewhat dry conversation topic, until the actual roof in our own home starts leaking. After all, you and I come home where the roof sits on four walls sheltering our home from the cold and the rain, but it just so happens that this, perhaps, the most critical component in our house is the last thing on our minds. We all have a little tendency to take things for granted, and as such we have come to expect our roof to perform day and night, year after year without giving it any actual thought. We want it to be cheap, we want it to perform flawlessly, and we want to never have to think about it.

Unfortunately, and all too often, our good old cheap asphalt roofs fails on us when we least expect it! And we used to think that,it could never happen to us... I have been in those shoes myself!

Let's face it, a roof that is leaking is not a kind or problem that can be ignored. A leaky roof could cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home, and the sooner you take care of your roofing problem, the better off you will be. I know this is not the most exciting moment of your life, but you will have to make some decisions as to what roofing product you will choose for your house. There are many different roofing options available, and I am going to suggest that asphalt roof is not the option you will want to pick, because they are becoming obsolete. Yes, I said obsolete!

Like it or not, but we live in the 21st century and it seems as though the good old cheap asphalt roof no longer cuts it. Unless, of course, you plan to sell your house in a few years and move out so that the new owner will get stock with the inferior roof. It is estimated that an average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is only 17 years. Add a few years in a good climate, and subtract a few years for northern climate. This is not a very lucrative option to know that your roof is bound to fail and you will have to spend your money again shopping for a new roof. So what is the solution you will ask...

In the last decade, there has been a quite sizeable increase in the popularity of metal roofing installations, and I am not talking about the old barn style naked roof that makes the rain drops sound like a machine gun rattle. No, that is not the case, and in fact, modern metal roofing choices have become very sophisticated. They come in a variety of colors from white snow to vermont slate blue, and shapes that will blow your mind. For example, there are metal roofs that look just like wooden shake with unique texture and coloring. If you like the look of slate roofing, than you can get a metal roof that looks like slates.

Whatever your style and color preferences are, metal roofing seems to provide a solution to satisfy those unique needs and desires, from red spanish tile to golden aluminum shake. But, here is the best part, unlike asphalt roofing that is bound to fail soon, quality metal roofing installations are known to last as long as 100 years. As for the material manufacturer warranty, many modern metal roofing products come with up to 50 years non-prorated warranty.

And by the way, metal roofing can save as much as 25% on the air-conditioning costs. If you choose a white colored, sun reflective metal roof, than your energy savings could be as high as 50%. And did I mention, there is also a tax credit available from the government if buy a metal roof.

Finally, as far as cost goes; metal roofing prices, may initially seem as high vs asphalt shingle roofing, but if you stay in your house long enough it will more than pay for itself. Best of luck with your roofing project.