Metal Roofing FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

A quality metal roof lasts 40 to 70+ years and often a lifetime, versus 15–30 for asphalt shingles. Aluminum leads because it cannot rust, which is why Interlock backs it with a 50-year transferable warranty.

Installed metal roofing generally runs $5–$16 per square foot, or roughly $10,000–$40,000 for an average home. Premium aluminum sits at the upper end; profile, roof size, and complexity drive the final number.

For homeowners staying in their home, usually yes: it lasts 50+ years, avoids two or three asphalt replacements, recoups ~60–70% of its cost in home value, and lowers energy and often insurance costs.

No. Over a solid deck, underlayment, attic, and insulation, indoor rain noise is comparable to asphalt — around 50 decibels. The "loud roof" reputation comes from open barns with none of those layers.

No. Lightning strikes the tallest object regardless of material. If a strike occurs, a non-combustible metal roof is safer because it will not ignite and disperses the energy across its surface.

UL 2218 measures cracking and rupture, not cosmetic dents. Interlock's textured, heavy-gauge aluminum is Class 4 rated — it absorbs hail and stays watertight after storms that damage asphalt or tile.

Often. Many insurers discount premiums 5%–35% for impact-resistant (UL 2218 Class 4) and non-combustible roofs. Ask your carrier and provide Interlock's Class 4 certificate.

In many cases, yes. Lightweight metal can install over one existing layer where code allows, saving tear-off cost. An installer confirms the deck, code, and ventilation first.

No — the opposite. A Cool Roof-rated reflective finish bounces solar heat away, and metal does not store heat like dark asphalt, so a metal roof typically helps keep a home cooler and lowers cooling costs.

Aluminum cannot rust and is lighter, making it best for lifetime residential roofs and coastal/wet climates. Steel is stiffer and cheaper upfront, better for budgets and large inland or commercial roofs.

Very little. No repainting or sealing — just clear gutters, remove debris, and rinse off dirt or salt from the ground occasionally. Aluminum will not rust, so upkeep stays minimal for decades.

Yes, and it is ideal. Standing seam panels clamp on with no roof penetrations, and a 50+ year metal roof outlives the solar array, so you never re-roof under installed panels.

Yes. Interlock is UL 2218 Class 4 for hail and carries Florida FL7263 and ICC-ES ESR-1790 wind ratings plus a 120 mph warranty. The four-sided interlock resists the uplift that removes shingles.

Yes — metal roofs recoup roughly 60–70% of their cost in home value, and a transferable lifetime warranty is a strong selling point that can help a home sell faster.