Metal roofing continues to grow its presence in the residential market, now accounting for 18% of the total market. Additionally, 84% of all metal roofing sold in the U.S. is used in residential applications. As metal roofing continues to grow in popularity, roofing contractors need to find ways to adapt and meet the needs of homeowners who are looking for metal roofing products.
To thrive in this new landscape, your roofing business will need to leverage the right tools and processes to manage these complex projects more effectively. Here’s what you need to know about why homeowners are turning to metal roofing—and how roofing software like AccuLynx can help you take advantage of this growth opportunity.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
- Why metal roofing is booming
- Metal roof types you need to know about
- Metal roofing costs for homeowners
- How AccuLynx supports contractors in the metal roofing market
Why metal roofing is booming
Why has metal roofing grown beyond a passing trend? More and more homeowners prefer metal roofing for its many benefits, including:
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Durability
One of the pros of metal roofs is their impressive longevity; a properly installed metal roof can last an average of 40 to 80 years, compared to just 20 years for the average asphalt shingle roof. Metal roofs can withstand extreme weather conditions, such as high winds, hail, and snow, making them a great choice for many different climates.
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Energy efficiency
Homeowners may ask, “are metal roofs energy-efficient?“ The answer is a resounding yes—metal roofs reduce heat absorption and keep homes cooler thanks to their reflective coatings and innovative design. In fact, installing a metal roof can save homeowners up to 40% in energy costs, according to some estimates.
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Sustainability
Growth in the metal roofing industry can be attributed, in part, to their longevity and recyclability, which contribute to eco-friendly construction practices. Additionally, metal roofs are often made from recycled materials, with some containing up to 60% post-consumer recycled content.
Metal roof types you need to know about
There are many different metal roof products for your customers to choose from. Here are a few of the most common types of metal roofs:
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Standing seam metal roof
This type of metal roof features vertical panels with clean, modern lines and offers excellent durability and weather resistance.
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Metal shingles
As the name suggests, this metal roofing product mimics traditional shingles, tiles or wood shakes. Homeowners often choose this option to get the look of shingles with the durability of metal.
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Corrugated metal panels
These wavy or ribbed panels are some of the most affordable metal roofing materials and are a great choice for a rustic or industrial aesthetic.
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Stone-coated steel
This metal roofing material combines the durability of metal with the look of tile or slate to create a more traditional aesthetic.
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Copper roofing
This is a premium, long-lasting metal roofing option with a distinctive patina that develops over time.
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Aluminum roofing
An aluminum roof is lightweight and corrosion-resistant, making it the ideal choice for coastal areas.
Metal roofing costs for homeowners
Some homeowners are hesitant to explore metal roofing solutions due to concerns about high cost. But what are the real costs of a metal roof? The perception that metal roofs are expensive comes from the fact that metal roofing has a higher initial cost compared to shingles. While the cost varies by material—for example, steel is less expensive than copper—in general, customers will pay more for a metal roofing product than for many other roofing options.
However, the upfront investment in a metal roof can be significantly offset by the sustainability and durability of the roof itself. Since metal roofs last longer than shingles, require less maintenance, and often reduce a homeowner’s overall energy costs, installing a metal roof may save the homeowner money in the long run.
Overall, the price of a metal roof will depend on a few factors:
- Type of metal selected
- Labor and installation costs
- Complexity of the roof
- Need for custom materials or special orders
When discussing metal roof options with customers, being clear about these pricing factors while also emphasizing the benefits of metal roofs can help them make more informed decisions.
How AccuLynx supports contractors in the metal roofing market
Metal roofing projects give contractors the opportunity to expand their offerings and tap into a growing source of revenue, but these projects also come with their own unique challenges. Using a roofing software like AccuLynx to manage metal roofing projects can help your business stay ahead in this fast-growing market. Here are some of the ways that AccuLynx can empower you to take on more metal roofing jobs.
Data-driven decision making
Whenever your roofing company adds new service offerings, it’s essential to understand profitability and pricing so you can make smart business decisions. With the detailed reports and analytics available in AccuLynx, you can stay up to date on KPIs, build custom dashboards to track data for each of your teams, and monitor trends over time. The AccuLynx reporting features help you prioritize growth by:
- Identifying which projects have the highest profit margins
- Adjusting pricing strategies based on material and labor costs
- Analyzing trends in customer performance and project outcomes
Streamlined material ordering
Metal roofing jobs often require custom materials with longer order times. To avoid costly delays and customer dissatisfaction, your roofing business needs to stay on top of these orders and keep projects moving.
AccuLynx makes scheduling and ordering easier for roofers by centralizing material orders within a single platform. Instead of calling a distributor or logging into a separate website, you can use the material supplier integrations with ABC Supply, Beacon Building Products, and SRS Distribution in AccuLynx to place orders, view a real-time catalog of available materials, and get automatic updates about the status of your orders. AccuLynx also makes it easy to adjust schedules to accommodate delivery times with the Production Calendar. On this shared digital calendar, you can see all scheduled appointments at a glance and add or change them with just a few clicks.
Accurate and transparent estimating
AccuLynx simplifies the process of guiding homeowners through the investment of a metal roof. With easier roofing job estimates, you can create clear, detailed proposals that help customers make informed decisions or explore budget-friendly options. The estimating tools automatically pull in customer details, job documentation, measurements, and your unique supplier pricing—ensuring every estimate reflects the most accurate project costs.
Enhanced customer communication
Once your project is underway, the Customer Portal in AccuLynx makes it easy to keep homeowners informed without adding extra work. With a custom website, you can share photos, documents, payment details, and job updates—enhancing transparency and building trust with your customers.
Your partner in metal roofing projects
As the metal roofing market continues to grow, contractors who can manage these projects more effectively will be in the best position to capitalize on this growth. AccuLynx gives you the tools you need to meet the unique challenges of metal roofing and scale your business for future success. To learn more about how AccuLynx can help you thrive in this new era of roofing, schedule a custom demo today.