Why Not A Metal Roof?

If I were you, I'd go with a metal roof. It will last a lot longer. Plus you have options like galvanizing and powder coating that will make it last even longer. Our next place will have a standing seam metal roof. Being in the steel business, I also agree with Rowdy, go with a metal supplier instead of a big box store, it'll be cheaper.

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In the Soviet Union, capitalism triumphed over communism. In the USA, capitalism triumphed over democracy. -F Lebowitz

Religions are all alike, founded upon fables and mythologies. -T Jefferson

Not trying to be disrespectful, I just tend to state things like they are..... either take the information at face value or discard it.

I haven't ever been one to pay a home inspector to state what I can see with my own two eyes anyway

Get some pictures of the roof and post them and I will give you my opinon on it for free..... If the house pictured on your blog is the one you are talking about, from the back side and at a distance the roof is nowhere near needing replacement.......I don't see a single sheet pulled up and bent over anywhere. Pressure wash it and paint it and it will last another 50 years.

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Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.

If you ever want to do a rainwater collection system, the amout of waste (first part of the rain ) that you need to discard is less with a metal roof than with asphalt shingles.

Also I read an article a while back where a fellow used an amorphous crystal solar collection systems with a raised channel metal roof on his barn. Self installed - you just roll out the strips, sticking them down to the metal. Then cut it off at the bottom. Though it isn't as efficient, it is MUCH less expensive to instal than raised panels.

I'm thinking about Going with a steel channel roof on my barn and doing both the rainwater collection system for irrigation and the solar to power the barn, electric fences etc.

Now that sounds interesting. If you have a link you can share on this type system, it would be great to see.

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"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey

I second Ramblin Wreck - pictures please!

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Christie
http://fischercreekfarm.webs.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sustainablemo

we had this huge dutch barn. the roof was old shingles, broke through in many places, falling apart. we got a number from carter lumber, and also some others we called, for estimates. 20-25K to replace counting extra lumber and labor. and 2 weeks to finish job. they wanted scaffolding which would be also extra.
then, we called Amish workers. they did it for 6K, counting everything, and did it in 4 days. we serevd them ice creme and pizza, they did a beautiful job. no cig butts on the ground, no filthy mouths, cleaned it all up, joked and chatter with our kids they insisted have lunch with them. they tied steel ladders together (thier own) and made their own scaffolding. when they were done, they took a check and left us the left over supplies which were a great many. even a couple large boxes of metal screws. it was a beauty. we don't have that place anymore, but their craftsmanship far exceeded anyone else.

A metal roof isn't always the answer, a lot depends on your house and your area. There are drawbacks to metal and improper installation or understanding of the properties of metal is one of the biggest. www.metalroofing.com is a helpful sight. I have no idea what your house is like or how the roof is installed now. If it's an old farmhouse with a metal roof chances are it's installed over the rafters on purlins, strips of wood perpendicular to the rafters. If I was installing a new roof on that I would strip it off completely and deck the roof before roofing it, all metal roofing manufacturers recommend this. There is going to be no cheap fix but that's just part of owning a home.

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"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost

This might be of interest and is about thin film photovoltaics.

The inspector may have been concerned about roof preparation for metal roofing. It seems that I remember reading on these forums that metal needs to vent so shouldn't be placed over solid sheeting.

Perhaps he was worried about flue gasses again damaging metal roofing instead of working on the flue gas issue.

If this is in a city perhaps he was thinking of aesthetics and fitting in with the surrounding neighborhood.

Metal roofing noise would be my biggest concern as one might consider me noise sensitivity. Having said that I've actually considered metal roofing.

I think it was in an issue of Hobby Farms magazine about 2 years ago - Cover had a picture of a barn with it on it. I'll try to find it and will let you know

Pretty neat.

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"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey

Can't find the issue, but the youtube video posted by Windy in Kansas is pretty similar - could even be the same product.