Do concerns like rust, noise, and lightning strikes have you second-guessing your decision to get a metal roof? Are you wondering if everything BAD you’ve heard about metal roofs is actually true?
If you're considering upgrading to a metal roof, you've probably come across some conflicting information—some of it helpful and some of it confusing.
At RoofSmart, we want our customers to have all of the facts before they make their final decision. We help thousands of Seattle homeowners choose a roof every year, and a crucial step in that process is giving accurate information and answering customer questions about each roof type.
In this article, you’ll learn the truth behind five of the most common myths about metal roofing so you can confidently decide if it’s the right investment for your home.
By the end, you'll have a clear, unbiased understanding of how metal roofs perform in real-world conditions—and whether they’re the right fit for your house.
1.) Do metal roofs…rust?
One of the questions we often hear from customers is whether metal roofs will rust. Here’s the truth: some metals are naturally resistant to rusting, and the ones that aren’t get treated to prevent rusting.
Metals that are naturally rust-resistant are:
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Stainless steel
- Zinc
Steel is not resistant to rusting, so metal panel manufacturers make sure to use protective coatings on standing seam steel panels to ensure that they have long-lasting protection against corrosion. Make sure that you’re getting premium standing seam panels to ensure that they are coated with top-quality protectants.
There are different types of coatings that can be used, but for true rust protection, make sure that your steel roof is coated in G-90 zinc or an AZ-50 zinc-aluminum mix (those number codes refer to the type and amount of the coating).
2.) Are metal roofs loud?
This is another common concern that we hear is about how noisy metal roofs are. Some homeowners are hesitant to install metal roofs because they don’t want to hear rain or other noises year-round.
In a consistently rainy area like Seattle, we understand why you might be hesitant to get a metal roof if you think you’re signing yourself up for constant annoyance. Usually, what people think of is an open barn roof where you can look up and see the metal underside.
The good news is that metal roofs are actually significantly quieter than you might think.
Your roof has layers underneath it that dampen the sound of rain on metal. Directly underneath, you have the roof decking (either OSB or plywood), and then you have a bunch of insulation.
The metal panel is NOT draped between the supports like a drum skin, so this absorbs a lot of the noise.
For example, think about how loud it would be if you were to hold a license plate in the air and tap it versus if you were to fasten it tightly to a wooden table and then tap it. It will be a lot quieter on the table, which is the same idea as what’s happening with your roof.
Studies have shown that the sound of rain on an insulated metal roof is only 6 decibels louder than that of an insulated asphalt shingle roof, which is usually not a significant enough difference for the human ear to detect (once you account for the effect of insulation and a ceiling).
In contrast, a skylight would be significantly more noticeable in terms of noise because when the rain hits the glass, there’s nothing underneath it to absorb the noise.
3.) Do metal roofs attract lightning?
This is a concern that comes up often because we know that metal conducts electricity, so it’s natural to wonder if a metal roof will attract lightning. However, the material that your home is made of is not a factor that makes a difference. Lightning can strike anywhere.
It’s more about whether lightning happens to strike in your vicinity and how tall your house is. No matter what roof material you have, if your home is taller than the other buildings around it, then that makes it more attractive to lightning.
Consider this: There are millions of homes and commercial buildings with metal roofs. How many news reports do you see about this supposed phenomenon?
In fact, if your metal roof does get struck by lightning, it will actually be safer for you. Because metal conducts electricity so well, this reduces the chances of your home being damaged or catching fire.
4.) Will metal roofs make your house hot?
Many people are wary of getting a metal roof because they think that metal gets hot and will overheat your home, driving up your cooling costs in the summer.
Well, the cool thing about metal is that it loses heat very quickly. Radiators are made out of metal because it diffuses heat efficiently, and the same is true of metal roofs. So, even if it does get warm during the day, the minute it’s out of the sun, the metal will cool down.
Metal roofs cool off much more quickly than asphalt or tile roofs, which retain heat for much longer. Think sauna rocks. The more mass, the more heat is retained.
But no matter what your roof type is, your house shouldn’t be warming up just because your roof is warm. If that’s happening, it means your roof has poor airflow, and the actual issue is your ventilation.
5.) Are metal roofs heavy?
A lot of people (justifiably) think that metal roofs are heavy. It seems like a logical conclusion. But here’s a shocking fact: metal roofs are usually half as heavy as most other roof types.
Asphalt shingles are actually a lot heavier than metal. Other heavy roof types include tile and cedar shake (when it gets wet, which happens often in the rainy Seattle weather).
This makes metal roofs an ideal choice if you have an older home or a roof that is not reinforced for extra weight.
How do I know if a metal roof is right for me?
Now that you know the truth about metal roofs, it’s time to consider if a metal roof is right for you.
A major deciding factor is cost: metal roofs are expensive, averaging at around $60,000 for a new installation. Metal roofs last 50 years or more, so this can be a great investment, but that’s not a realistic roof budget for many homeowners.
To help you decide if a metal roof is right for you, consider the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Metal roofs last for a really long time (around 50 years or more). It's not just a marketing claim; they really do last longer!
- Metal is completely waterproof
- It boosts your home’s curb appeal and value
- It’s the best roof for solar panels (they clip on instead of drilling holes into the roof)
- They are low-maintenance (most debris slides right off)
Cons:
- Metal is expensive, requiring a special skill set to fabricate on the roof
- Steel roofs can grow algae, just like almost everything else
- Metal roofs can be slippery and dangerous to walk on when wet
- They can be difficult to repair
Weighing the pros and cons can help you understand which features of metal roofs you like and warn you of their potential downfalls.
Wondering how much a metal roof would cost to install on your roof? Use our Instant Estimate tool to get a ballpark price range.
Ready for a Metal Roof? Here’s What Comes Next
Now that you know the truth behind the most common metal roof myths, you’re in a much stronger position to make the right decision for your home.
For many homeowners, myths like “metal roofs are noisy” or “they attract lightning” can cause unnecessary hesitation, and keep them from choosing a roofing system that could last 50+ years with minimal maintenance.
But knowing the facts is only half the battle—choosing the right contractor is just as important. Even the best metal roof can fail if it’s not installed by a qualified professional.
That’s why we’ve created the Qualified Roofer Checklist—a free tool to help you vet potential roofers and make sure you're hiring someone who will do the job right.
Download the checklist today and take the next step toward a roof you can trust.
