Online guide for metal roofs

[gillstone]

Our roof is in need of replacement and we are getting estimates from several local contractors.  I’ve done some online research into metal roofing and it is where I want to go but I feel like my information is incomplete.  Does anyone know of a good guide for metal roofs so I know when what I’m being presented by the contractor is legit?

[Greg]

Call a local metal roofing supplier and explain you are planning on replacing your roof yourself. Ask for price per square (100 sq. f.t) or per ft. of panel of various types of metal roofing.  Standing seam, delta-rib, corrugated, etc.  Have your sq. ft. of roofing area, pitch and other details available so you can sound like you mean business.

On top of materials, you will need to factor in tear-off of your existing ($$) as well as labor for installation of the new roof.  Beyond pure labor is skill and experience, technique, attention to detail etc. that results in a good metal roofing job.  This is why in my design-build practice we install our own metal roofing.

[KungfuRabbit]

i would like to see this too.  the easy answer to your question is there really isn't a good guide.  Metal roofs haven't really caught on and the different vendors aren't really following a great standard yet.  at this point i think prices are mostly based on demand.  if a certain contractor is the only one who installs metal roofs in the area, he'll mark it up a ton just because he knows some people really really want one. 

99% of Americans think short term, and would rather replace shingles every 10 years than spend a little more and be set for life.  its sad really, considering how "advanced" we are, that roofs in the middle ages were designed to last hundreds of years and ours don't even last hundreds of months.