We wrote recently about our mixed metal shingles - our S-10 diamond shingles offered in sophisticated color blends - and received some very positive feedback. Jane wrote:

Besides "What does a metal roof cost?" we routinely hear questions about which metal roof offers the “best value” or is the “longest lasting.” Another regular question most often takes the form of, “Which lasts longer, steel or copper?” While everyone asks these questions for the right reasons - trying to sort out the myriad of choices in metal roofing - the answers are (unfortunately!) not always unequivocal. Let's dive into this murky topic and clear up a few things.

We were contacted by an architect whose client was inspired by a metal roof they had discovered in Japan. The copper roof they wanted to emulate on their own home was a very simple design with large, regular rectangles in a very low-profile design displaying very little relief. 

I’ve written about this topic many times in the past, but the number of questions we receive about the topic never seems to diminish. They share the same theme - "Do you have something that looks like copper but costs less?" As it happens, we do. But it depends on what you’re thinking when you say, “looks like copper.”  We’ve learned this description means different things to different people, so it’s very hard to offer one copper facsimile that will satisfy everyone’s imagination.

It’s very common to speak to a potential customer whose question takes the form, “How much does a copper roof cost?” It’s difficult as an “insider” to avoid getting frustrated by the much-too-broad question, as a useful answer can only be given once a number of other questions are answered.

Whether you're pricing steel, aluminum or copper for your new metal roof, prices are guaranteed to vary wildly depending on quality and source. We routinely hear, "I have a price for 'x' dollars for a new metal roof for my home - is that a good price?” The problem with such an inquiry is that it’s almost impossible offer a useful answer without first knowing the answer to these critical questions:

No matter who you are, everyone wants the best deal. Whether it's a new car, a new house or a new pair of shoes, paying full price doesn't appeal to anyone. It's no different when it's time to buy a new roof. While every roof purchase will be different thanks to individual motivators, budgets and roofs, here are four ways to get the best price on your next metal roof.

As is usual around here, the majority of our blog posts are inspired by customer and prospective customer inquiries. Recently, someone contacted us for a metal roof estimate and inquired how he could get the very best price while comparing the costs of a new steel roof to costs of a new copper roof.

With the new year well underway, it's not uncommon to be asked whether metal roof prices are likely to change in 2014 compared to last year. The answer is probably not by much. Because metal roofing is primarily subject to the various metals as a commodity, an outsider can get an idea of price projections by examining the trends in commodities.

Since very few homeowners ever walk on the roof to get an up-close look, it’s not uncommon for problems up there to go unnoticed for years. While I have made reference to this “hidden” aspect of the roofing business in my free booklet, it’s reassuring to read about others in the building industry making the same observation. Here’s an interesting piece on the topic from MSN.