Home improvement experts say there are two ways to add instant value to your home. New siding and a new roof. First up, siding is responsible for protecting your home from the elements. It’s a tough job to say the least, and the appearance of many homes can easily be improved by replacing existing siding that has begun to show its age. Vinyl is very cost effective and will give your home an instant boost in curb appeal.

When it comes to outdoor remodeling projects, putting on a new roof is probably the most daunting. As the most important part of your home’s weatherproofing and insulation system, a good roof can save on heating and cooling bills; a bad roof installation, on the other hand, can lead to all kinds of headaches and repair bills down the road. Always check references when hiring a roofing company, and never pay the full cost of a roofing job up front.

Typically, your new roof’s durability is directly related with its cost. Asphalt is the most affordable and the quickest to wear out; tile and slate are the most durable and by far the most expensive. Metal falls somewhere in the middle; its quick installation, moderate price, and 40+ year life expectancy are making it a popular choice among homeowners who want a good balance of value and durability.

In the past few years, metal roofing has definitely been gaining in popularity. Not only on commercial buildings but also in residential areas. Metal roofs are a premium product and cost somewhat more than a 20 year warranty asphalt/fiberglass shingle roof; however a metal roof can cost substantially less than many of the high-end architectural shingles now being sold.

What homeowners need to know about a metal roof is that it has many advantages and benefits over a traditional asphalt/fiberglass shingle roof. Metal roofs are not noisy when it rains. According to one study, the noise levels of a metal roof are about the same as other roofing products such as asphalt or wood shingles or clay tiles.

If you want a roof that can withstand bad weather, a metal roof is definitely the way to go. Metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to hail damage, much more so than asphalt/fiberglass shingles. In fact, many metal roofing products have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by the insurance commissions in the hail belt regions of the U.S. Some insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for metal roofs.

All metal roofing products are very wind resistant. Many styles have been tested to withstand hurricane force winds; and wind warranties can be as high as 120mph. Another great benefit is that a metal roof is the most fire safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material with a Class “A” rating – the highest rating given. So before you start getting estimates for a traditional roof, consider a metal roof. Over time, you’ll save money, because it’s the last roof you’ll ever need!

Metal roofs are definitely gaining in popularity. Not just for buildings, but in homes as well. Probably the two biggest reasons many are jumping on the metal roof bandwagon is that metal roofs are extremely durable, and they save energy.

The truth is that a metal roof will actually reduce your cooling bills in those hot summer months because it reflects the radiant heat from the sun. Shingles tend to absorb radiant heat and that can actually make your house hotter in the summer.

While metal roofs do cost a little more than a traditional roof, you will save more money over time.  It will end up costing you much less over the years as you won’t have to worry about it wearing out as quickly. Metal roofs usually come with a 50 year warranty on repairs and labor if you have it installed by a professional metal roof installation company. You will notice that a metal roof is much easier to patch if you get any leaks, which is very uncommon. Shingles will tend to tear off the roof in strong winds and allow water to leak into your home; whereas metal roofing tends to stay in place much better.

There are some people that can get a government tax credit if they have a metal roof installed. This could be the deciding factor for most homeowners. Whatever reason you have for installing a metal roof, you will soon find out that your decision had merit. With easier maintenance and a longer lifespan, a metal roof is a good solid investment for your home.

If you think that this isn’t the right time to remodel your house, experts say think again! Think about it, contractors are not busy so they are discounting jobs. The construction industry rebounded somewhat last year, however business is still slow. Remember when getting a contractor to call you back was a challenge?

Now the best pros in town will be happy to bid on your job — and they’ll probably offer you prices well below the norm. Another plus is that materials are down. Plywood is down 23% since its peak in the mid-2000s. Drywall is off 29%, framing lumber 35%.

Not all raw materials prices have fallen that much. Asphalt roofing, which is made from a petroleum byproduct, is down only 7% over the past two years. Insulation — which has been in high demand because of energy rebates and high fuel prices — is down a mere 2% since 2006. Still, on the whole, construction supplies are bargains right now.

Experts say as a whole, selling a home is still a challenge. And because moving remains far costlier than improving, remodeling is a good choice.

Experts say, if you can remodel your way into staying put long term, you can hold on to that once-in-a-lifetime rate. In a few years interest rates are predicted to be somewhere at six or seven percent. When it comes time to sell your place, chances are you’ll probably wind up having to do the sorely needed renovations you didn’t take care of earlier. Not only does that add a huge amount of stress to the process of putting your house on the market, but you still end up spending the money quite possibly when contractor, materials, and borrowing costs are higher. This is why experts say, this is the prefect time to remodel. Why not get the benefits of a new furnace or an updated bathroom for you and your family instead of buying them for the house’s next owners?

Roofs have definitely come a long way in the last few years. If you’ve driven around lately, you may have noticed that many people are choosing metal. Tired of replacing their roofs every thirty to forty years is a big reason why.

So you may ask, is metal roofing really a smart investment? Local builders say yes! Metal roofing is much stronger and more durable than asphalt shingle roofing. In a nut shell, a metal roof can last twice as long as most conventional roofs. Because metal roofing is so durable, it has long been the choice for many school, government, and industrial buildings.

Another benefit of a metal roof is that it is superior in all extreme weather conditions, including hail, sun exposure, and wind. Unlike shingles, metal roofing will not deteriorate due to sun exposure. High winds and/or a hail storm will destroy a composition roof, but a metal roof can handle wind speeds up to 140 MPH and is extremely hail resistant.

Lighter colored metal roofs reflect away much of the sun’s UV rays, which can help keep your house cooler and lower cooling costs. A metal roof can actually cut cooling costs by as much as 25% or more.

If you’re concerned with our environment, a metal roof is a great choice. Did you know that 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills annually? The recycled content of steel in metal roofing is much higher than the recycled content in asphalt shingles. Also, due to the low weight of metal roofing (about half that of shingles), in many cases it can be installed directly over your existing roof, saving the environmental as well as financial costs associated with removal and disposal.

Metal roofing is a popular choice for so many reasons including:

• Long life expectancy
• Low maintenance
• Durability
• Lightweight to ease stress on your roof structure and framing
• Long term warranties
• Energy Efficiency – save money with reduced heating and cooling costs
• Increased resale value of your home
• Improved curb appeal of your home
• Metal roof colors to complement your home
• Increased protection from high winds, hurricanes, and fire
• Environmentally friendly building choice
• Made from recycled material and won’t contribute to our landfills
• Reduces energy consumption