Metal roofing is fast gaining popularity because of the various benefits. The National Roofing Contractor's Association has conducted studies that indicate that over the last ten years homeowners and homebuilders have increasingly chosen metal as the preferred roofing material. This increased demand has led to a greater distribution of metal roofing material in the market.

Today's metal roofing is very different from the roofs of the tin sheds and barns of the past. You can now install metal roofs that are very attractive and come in a variety of designer shapes, colors and material. Latest technology has allowed many novel qualities like thermal reflectivity, increased corrosion resistance and weight reduction to be imparted to metal roofing. These roofs are fire resistant and extremely durable. Once installed, metal roofs can last up to the life of the building. They seal out water very effectively and are able to shed snow very easily. Being strong and rigid, they are able to resist high winds and rot, mold, mildew and pests/insects as well. Their longevity is supported by strong warranties of twenty to fifty years provided by metal roofing manufacturers.

With the use of new technology and material like aluminum, zinc, and other alloys used for manufacturing metal roofing, the overall weight has reduced considerably. It thus exerts much less strain on the roof structure. Some extremely lightweight metal shingles can be applied to an existing roof without tearing it down. This way it lends added support to the existing structure and provides an impressive 'new look' roof without any substantial gain in weight.

Thermal reflective coating on metal roofing allows very little heat from the sun to radiate into the interior of the building during the daytime. During nighttime they also let less heat escape through the roof, greatly increasing energy efficiency and help to substantially cut down energy bills.

To provide aesthetic appeal metal roofs can be made to resemble a variety of different roofing materials. Available in a number of textures and colors, metal roofs look beautiful and can be integrated into buildings incorporating all types of architectural designs and color schemes.

Metal roofs require much less time for installation as compared to other type of roofs. This lets the job be satisfactorily completed within a relatively short time and at a much lesser cost. Contractors, laborers etc. disturb the privacy of the occupants of the house for a shorter time too.

However, like any other roof, metal roofs also have some disadvantages, which should be considered before deciding to install one. The first disadvantage is the high cost of installation. The high cost however can be justified if the homeowner plans to occupy the house for a long period.

The process of installation is also complex requiring professional services for proper installation. Possibility of leaks also exists in case panel joints are not made watertight or in case the screws are not properly fixed. If the roof is not securely fastened, it can suffer wind damage. A metal roof can be quite noisy with the drumming of rainfall and hail. Flying hail and debris can also cause damage to the roof by denting and scratching.