For many Maine homeowners, metal roofing can be an excellent choice. Its longevity, durability, low maintenance requirements, and ability to handle snow make it especially appealing in our climate. That does not mean metal is automatically the right roof for every home, though.
Metal roofing costs considerably more upfront than asphalt shingles, repairs can be more involved, and Maine’s snowy winters introduce a few considerations that homeowners should understand before making the investment.
If you are deciding between metal roofing and asphalt shingles, here are the biggest advantages and disadvantages we think are worth considering.
The Pros of Metal Roofing for Maine Homes
1. Metal Roofing Can Last for Decades
Longevity is one of the biggest reasons homeowners choose metal.
A quality metal roofing system is intended to be a long-term investment. While the actual lifespan depends on the type of metal, coating, installation, exposure, and maintenance, metal roofing can provide decades of service when properly installed.
For homeowners who expect to stay in their house for many years, that longer service life can make the higher upfront cost easier to justify.
2. The Smooth Surface Helps Shed Snow
This is one of the biggest advantages of metal roofing in Maine.
Unlike the textured surface of asphalt shingles, metal panels are smooth and hard. On a properly pitched roof, that surface can allow accumulated snow to release and slide off more readily instead of remaining on the roof for long periods.
That can be a benefit during Maine winters, particularly on homes that regularly receive heavy snowfall.
There is an important tradeoff, however. Snow can release from a metal roof very quickly, which is why snow retention systems are often needed in certain areas. We will talk more about that below.
3. Metal Roofing Is Fire Resistant
Metal roofing itself is noncombustible, giving it an advantage when it comes to resistance to fire and airborne embers.
Fire resistance may not be the first reason most Maine homeowners choose a metal roof, but it is another benefit of the material compared with many traditional roofing products.
4. Metal Roofing Requires Relatively Little Maintenance
Once properly installed, a metal roof generally does not require a great deal of routine maintenance.
Periodic inspections are still a good idea, especially after major storms, but homeowners do not have to worry about individual shingles cracking, curling, or blowing away.
Standing seam systems also keep the primary fasteners concealed beneath the panels and seams, reducing the number of exposed fasteners on the main roof surface.
5. Standing Seam Metal Roofing Offers a Clean Finished Look
Standing seam is one of the premium options for residential metal roofing.
The raised vertical seams create a clean architectural appearance, while the concealed fastening system protects most of the fasteners from direct exposure to rain, snow, ice, and changing temperatures.
The panels are also designed to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of metal as temperatures change, something that is particularly important in a climate like Maine’s.
The Cons of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has plenty of advantages, but homeowners should understand the tradeoffs too. These are some of the issues we discuss with customers before recommending a metal roofing system.
1. Metal Roofing Costs More Than Asphalt Shingles
The biggest disadvantage for most homeowners is the upfront price.
Depending on the roofing system and complexity of the home, metal roofing can cost roughly three times as much as an asphalt shingle roof. Standing seam systems are generally at the higher end because of the materials, concealed fastening system, fabrication, trim work, and installation requirements.
The difference can become even greater on a complicated roof.
A simple roof with large, uninterrupted sections is much easier to cover with long metal panels than a roof with numerous valleys, dormers, transitions, chimneys, and smaller roof sections. Each additional cut and detail increases material, fabrication, and labor.
2. Snow Retention Systems May Be Necessary
The same smooth surface that makes a metal roof so good at shedding snow can also create one of its biggest winter considerations.
A large amount of snow can release from the roof at once instead of gradually melting in place.
For that reason, snow guards or another properly designed snow retention system may be needed above areas such as:
- Entry doors
- Walkways
- Decks and patios
- Garage entrances
- Areas above gutters
- Other places where people regularly walk or gather
The goal is not necessarily to keep every bit of snow on the roof. It is to help control how the snow releases so a large sheet does not suddenly slide into an area below.
3. Coastal Homes Require Extra Consideration
Salt air can be hard on exterior building materials, including certain metal roofing systems.
Homes located directly along the Maine coast may experience greater exposure to airborne salt, which can contribute to corrosion over time if the wrong metal, coating, or fastening system is used.
That does not mean coastal homes cannot have metal roofing. It means material and finish selection become especially important when designing a roof for an oceanfront environment.
4. Metal Panels Can Oil Can
One cosmetic characteristic homeowners should know about is something called oil canning.
Oil canning is visible waviness that can sometimes appear in the broad, flat areas of metal roofing panels. It can become more noticeable depending on the width of the panels, thickness of the metal, installation conditions, temperature, viewing angle, and the way sunlight reflects off the roof.
Oil canning is generally an appearance issue rather than an indication that the roof is failing.
Good material selection, panel design, handling, and installation practices can help minimize it, but it cannot always be completely eliminated from architectural metal roofing.
5. Heavy Rain Can Sound Different on a Metal Roof
Some homeowners notice more sound from heavy rain on a metal roof than they would with asphalt shingles.
How noticeable it is depends heavily on how the roof is constructed. Roof decking, underlayment, insulation, attic space, and the interior ceiling assembly all help reduce sound.
On a typical residential home with a properly constructed roof assembly, it is very different from the loud rain noise people sometimes associate with an exposed metal roof on a barn or shed. Still, homeowners who are particularly sensitive to sound should consider it.
6. Metal Roof Repairs Can Be More Involved
Asphalt shingle repairs can sometimes involve replacing a relatively small number of damaged shingles.
Metal roofing repairs can be more specialized. Depending on the type of system and location of the damage, accessing or replacing one area may involve panels, seams, flashing, trim, or specialized fabrication.
That can make certain metal roof repairs more expensive than comparable repairs on an asphalt shingle roof.
Metal Roofing vs. Asphalt Shingles: Which Is Better for a Maine Home?
There is no single answer that works for every homeowner.
Asphalt shingles may make more sense if:
- Keeping the initial cost down is a major priority
- You have a complicated roof with many valleys and transitions
- You prefer a traditional shingle appearance
- You want repairs to be relatively straightforward
Metal roofing may make more sense if:
- You are planning to stay in the home for a long time
- Longevity is one of your biggest priorities
- You want a roofing system that requires relatively little maintenance
- You like the appearance of standing seam metal roofing
- You want a roof that sheds snow readily during Maine winters
- You are comfortable making a larger investment upfront
Is Standing Seam Worth the Additional Cost?
For homeowners who have already decided they want metal roofing, standing seam is often the option worth considering.
Unlike exposed-fastener metal roofing, standing seam keeps the primary fastening system concealed beneath the panels and seams. This protects those fasteners from direct weather exposure and allows the panels to better accommodate expansion and contraction as temperatures change.
Standing seam typically costs more upfront, but its concealed-fastener design, clean appearance, and long-term durability make it a preferred option for many residential metal roofing projects.
So, Is Metal Roofing a Good Choice for Maine?
For the right home and homeowner, absolutely.
Maine’s snow, ice, rain, wind, and large seasonal temperature changes make durability especially important. Metal roofing handles those conditions well, can provide decades of service, requires relatively little maintenance, and has the added advantage of shedding snow more readily than asphalt shingles.
But those advantages come with a higher upfront cost. Snow retention needs to be considered carefully, complex roofs can become expensive, coastal properties require the right materials, and repairs can sometimes be more involved.
The decision ultimately comes down to your home, your budget, and how long you want your next roofing system to last.
Considering a Metal Roof in Southern Maine?
Rustic Build & Design installs metal roofing for homeowners throughout Windham, the Sebago Lake region, Greater Portland, Southern Maine, and surrounding areas.
We can look at the design and condition of your roof, discuss the differences between metal and asphalt shingles, and help you determine whether a standing seam metal roofing system makes sense for your home.
Our goal is not to sell every homeowner the most expensive roofing system. It is to help you choose the roofing option that makes the most sense for your home and long-term plans.