Installing commercial metal roofing is an investment in the future. Most metal roofing lasts about 50 years, and some can give you 100 years of solid use. Compare this to the average of 30 years for asphalt shingles, and an even shorter life for wooden roofing. That long life comes with a catch, however, sheet metal roofing, even corrugated metal roofing, is more expensive, sometimes a lot more expensive, than asphalt shingles or wood.

The pricing and costs of metal roofing materials vary according to which metal roofing system you choose. In addition to the cost of the materials themselves -- corrugated, standing seam, steel shingle, or copper -- you'll need to budget for ripping out your old roof and installing the new one. Here we'll focus on three expenses:

1. Know the different price ranges for different metal roofing materials.

2. Budget for the many steps of metal roofing installation.

3. Calculate the extra costs -- and benefits -- of copper metal roofs.

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Find the right metal roof material for your budget

The first thing to keep in mind when pricing roofing is that costs are not always measured in the usual square feet but in 'roofing square,' which is equal to 100 square feet of roofing materials. For most commercial metal roof materials, you can expect to pay about $1000-$1500 per roofing square of material. This does not include installation, or the breathable underlayment most metal roofing systems require.

I recommend: Go to the Metal Shingle Roofing page at Don Vandervort's HomeTips.com for prices on this variety of metal sheet roofing. Threadgill Sheet Metal Works has an automatic cost estimator: just put in your roof dimensions and pitch, then the type of metal roofing material you want to come up with a price.

Add up the base installation costs for commercial metal roofing

Many factors can go into the base installation price of a commercial metal roof, including a breathable underlayment (about $150 per 10 square roll), roof vents, trim, flashing, and tear-off (removing your previous roof, if necessary). Make sure that your estimate includes all the procedures that are going to be done during your installation.

I recommend: At Basic Roof Pricing there's a chart of roofing prices and labor for installing a low-slope commercial metal roof. Get price comparisons on installation from local contractors for your specific metal roofing job at ServiceMagic.

Count the cost as well as the benefits of copper metal roofing

Copper is the most popular custom metal roofing: it is beautiful to look at, environmentally sound, and very long-lasting -- from 75 to 100 years. But, it is also pricey. A standing seam copper roof on a standard 14 pitch roof is likely to run you about $20,000-$30,000 for materials. The average price per roofing square for 12-ounce copper shingles is $1,000-$1,200, and $1,300-$1,500 for 16-ounce copper.

I recommend: See All About Copper Roof Shingles for information on copper and copper-based roofing alternatives, with price differentials and links to contractors. Learn about a potentially more affordable alternative to copper shingles or copper standing seam roofs called copper liquid paint at RoofMenders (around $129 per gallon).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The pitch of your roof is very important; it influences what type of commercial or residential metal roofing you can install, and how much it will cost. Be sure to find out your pitch and discuss it with your contractor.

Metal roofing has come a long way from the days of the rusted tin roof. Metal roof materials are manufactured in long sheets for sheet metal roofing, in short panels as a metal roofing panel and in strips that look like tiles or cedar shingles for residential metal roofing.

Corrugated metal roofing is popular in some commercial buildings. Corrugated metal roofing is also used on some outbuildings, garages and storage sheds.

Connectors for metal roofing can be exposed or hidden on the metal roofing panel, depending on your roof pitch.

Custom metal roofing is pre-painted for residential metal roofing. The paint is a baked on enamel type of paint and the paint not only saves you time, it helps preserve the metal roofing system much longer than unpainted metal roofs.

Metal roofing can be installed right over existing asphalt tile roofs and most other roof systems. This saves you time and labor costs because the old roof doesn’t have to be removed to install metal roofs, unless required by local ordinances.

Most experienced do-it-yourself homeowners can install metal roofing themselves with the right tools and metal roofing materials. An old saying in metal roofing states "if you can correctly measure your roof, you can install a metal roof" and most commercial metal roofing sellers agree with it.

1. Metal roofing comes pre painted with a baked on enamel paint for durability.
2. Install metal roofing right over existing asphalt tile roofs to save time and money.
3. Homeowners experienced in do-it-yourself projects can install most metal roofing materials on their own.

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Compare metal roofing materials and specs

Take the time to compare the different types of metal roofing available. Check the warranties and spec sheets for information on applications for your situation. Make sure you understand the connector system based on the pitch of your roof, because the price could be higher for special metal roofing materials.

I recommend: Comparing various manufacturers and specs of metal roofing material at the Sweets Network. View the drawings and specs to retrofit a metal roof.

Go crazy--buy metal roofing that looks like wood or stone

Metal roofing materials come in all types of look alikes. You can buy custom metal roofing and metal roofing products that look like cedar shakes, tile, wood grained and slate. If you're already going to roof with metal roofing, check the features and prices of lookalike metal roofing. Copper is great for high-end homes -- not only does it look great but it's durable too.

I recommend: See Tamko metal roofing materials for a great selection of metal roof materials and custom metal roofing. Find beautiful copper roofing materials, CAD drawings and spec sheets at Coppercraft.

Find professional installers of metal roofing in your area

Most local roofing companies are experienced in installation of metal roofing, if you can't do it yourself. Local companies will also supply the metal roofing materials in their bid. Always ask for references from the roofer and make sure they not only carry the type of sheet metal roof you want, but are experienced in the installation.

I recommend: BetterRoofers, a nationwide network of qualified roofers. Submit one form to get four estimates to install your metal roofing. Watch a video about installing a metal roof if you want to do it yourself.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If using an installer, have several companies come out and bid the work before you make a decision.

Think of metal roofing materials and most likely an old barn beside the highway comes to mind. But metal roofs today are stylish, quick to install, and, most of all, long-lasting. Quality commercial metal roofing can last 100 years. Once you've installed metal roofing, you can cross off "roof" on your list of worries.

Choosing the right metal roofing material can be a little baffling. There are many different types of metal and many different styles of roof. Here, we'll go over metal roofing materials basics, including:

1. Know the difference between corrugated and standing seam metal roofing.

2. Discover your options for galvanized steel shingle roofing.

3. Seek out the custom metal roofing options that are out there.

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Make the right choice between corrugated metal roofing and standing seam metal roofing

Corrugated metal roofing is the archetypal 'barn roof,' deeply wavy roofing that seems to be one large seamless piece. Standing seam sheet metal roofing is a series of flat panels with raised sides that lock together, and create long vertical lines on the roof. Both types of sheet metal roofing are sturdy and long-lasting. Choose standing seam metal roofing for a more sophisticated look and unparalleled water drainage, and corrugated metal roofing for outbuildings, when looks aren't as important.

I recommend: Go to the Metal Roofing Alliance's Ask-the-Experts forum for everything there is to know about choosing, installing, and maintaining corrugated metal roofing. At Standing Seam Roofing from Copper.org, you'll find a thorough discussion of standing seam roofing.

Lose the waves and lines of the traditional sheet metal roof with steel shingles

Corrugated or standing seam metal roofs are easy to pick out of a crowd, with their traditional waves or long seam lines. Galvanized steel shingles allow you to give your building a non-steel look because the small steel panels are painted and shaped to look like shake shingles. Steel shingles give your business a less industrial look without sacrificing durability.

I recommend: Learn about steel shingles, including quotes, styles, warranties, and brands at The Roofery. The Sustainable Building Sourcebook outlines the green benefits of using steel shingles rather than traditional asphalt shingles.

Fool the eye with custom metal roofing

A metal roof doesn't have to look like metal. You can find metal roof materials coated in stone, made of copper, or painted and texturized to look like wood. Custom metal roofing can help your building stand out in a commercial area, or fit into a more residential one.

I recommend: Find specs for seven different types of copper roof panels at CopperCraft. "The Stone Coated Steel Solution" at RSI goes in-depth on stone-coated metal roofing systems.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While metal roofs can be installed by non-professionals, if you're using anything other than corrugated metal roofing it's best to call in the pros.

Few things are as durable and reliable as metal. Metal can be shaped and forged into convenient and effective pieces of equipment, buildings and devices. Beneficial in both residential and commercial buildings, metal roofing materials may be used to provide security, reliability and durability in the roofing areas of these structures. However, as with other areas of specialty, there are certain metal roofing key terms and concepts which are vital to the industry.

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Underlayment

Roofing underlayment offers roofs an important second layer of protection. It is placed on top of the sheathing and used primarily to keep moisture out of an area. While underlayment was once considered a luxury in roofing, it is now often required by cities and governments with respect to fire, wind uplift and puncture resistance.

I recommend: BobVila.com offers expert advice on how underlayment with roofing materials can offer a tighter, more effective roofing structure for homes and other types of buildings.

Corrugated

Corrugated refers to the shape of a material or the manner in which it was forged and processed. Corrugated metal roofing material, for example, has been shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges. Such material may also be marked with parallel folds, ridges or furrows. Folded with ridges, corrugated metal roofing is a popular metal roofing material for both commercial and residential buildings.

I recommend: Learn more about installing corrugated roofing at eHow.

Standing seam

A standing seam is an overlapping or interlocking seam. It is used in metal roofing systems and occurs at an upturned rib. There are many ways to fold or interlock the seams, but in many instances the standing seam is formed by taking the edges of two adjacent metal roofing panels and turning them up so as to interlock and overlap them.

I recommend: Various types of standing seams can be explored at Fabral.com, while additional standing seams and illustrations may be viewed at Atas.com.

Butyl tape

Butyl tape is a particular sealant tape. It is sometimes utilized to seal a gap between metal roof panel seams and end laps. In other situations, butyl tape may be used to seal sheet metal joints.

I recommend: Details about butyl tape may be found at PlusTape.com, while information for sealing metal roofs with the use of butyl tape is explored at ServiceMagicPros.com.

Batten

When the term is used in describing a metal roof or metal roofing materials, a batten is a metal closure. This closure is set over two or more adjacent metal roofing panels and material strips, in order to cover the joints that exist between the panels.

I recommend: Esperanza Properties provides a glossary of construction terms including several referring to batten. Architectural Building Components provides a description, features, widths, gauges and finishes of the Snaploc brand metal batten they offer.

Roofing square

A roofing square is an important unit of measurement when it comes to roofing and roofing materials. The exact conversion rate for a roofing square is one hundred square feet of metal or other roofing materials to one roofing square.

I recommend: More details about a roofing square can be found at NewEnglandMetalRoof.com.