Metal Roofing in Edison
Metal is still the minority roof in Edison, where asphalt shingles cover most houses, but it's become a common question when an old roof comes due. A well-installed metal roof can outlast two or three asphalt roofs, sheds snow, and handles wind well when it's fastened properly. It costs more up front, it needs installers who do metal regularly, and it changes how snow and rain leave the roof. This page covers the main types, what changes on a New Jersey house, and what the cost depends on.
Standing Seam vs. Metal Shingles
| Type | What it looks like | Strengths | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standing seam | Long vertical panels with raised seams; fasteners hidden | Few penetrations through the metal, long life, clean look | Higher cost; needs an experienced metal crew |
| Exposed-fastener panels | Corrugated or ribbed panels screwed through the face | Lower cost; common on garages and outbuildings | Screw washers age and need checking |
| Metal shingles | Stamped panels shaped like shingles, slate or shake | Traditional look; walkable | Many seams; quality varies by product |
| Stone-coated steel | Steel panels with a granular coating | Looks like shingle or tile; quieter | Weight and cost similar to premium shingles |
Snow, Ice and Noise
Snow: metal sheds snow, sometimes all at once. Over a door, a walkway or a driveway, that sliding snow can be dangerous, so roofers often install snow guards above those areas. Gutters on metal roofs take a beating from sliding snow and ice.
Ice: metal roofs still need proper ventilation and a waterproof underlayment, especially at the eaves of low-slope ranch roofs, where ice dams form on any material.
Noise: over a finished attic with decking and insulation, rain on a metal roof is far quieter than people expect. It's louder on open-framed porches and garages.
Over the Old Roof or After a Tear-Off
Some metal systems can be installed over one layer of existing shingles with battens or a separation layer. Most roofers in Edison still recommend a tear-off, for the same reason as with shingles: it's the only way to see and fix the decking, and it keeps the weight down. On a house with two shingle layers already, a tear-off is required anyway.
What Metal Roof Cost Depends On
- the type of metal system (standing seam costs more than exposed-fastener panels or most metal shingles)
- the gauge and finish of the metal
- roof size, pitch and the number of valleys, dormers, chimneys and skylights
- tear-off and decking repairs
- snow guards, trim and flashing details
Over the life of the house, metal can work out comparable to replacing asphalt more than once. Up front, it is the larger bill. More on cost factors in general: what a roof replacement costs depends on.
Can Metal Go Over Shingles?
Some systems are designed for it, usually over a single layer in good condition with a separation layer or battens. Whether it's a good idea depends on the decking underneath, the weight, and the manufacturer's requirements. A roofer will usually check the decking from the attic before recommending it.
Is Metal Worth It on a Mid-Century House?
It can be, especially for owners planning to stay a long time, on simple roof shapes, and on houses that have had repeated shingle problems. On a complicated roof with many valleys and dormers, the cost of metal climbs quickly. Ask for both options and compare them over the years you expect to own the house.
Choosing a Metal Installer
Metal is less forgiving of installation mistakes than asphalt. Panels expand and contract with temperature, so fastening, clips and trim have to allow for movement, and flashing details at chimneys and walls are done differently. Ask a roofer how many metal roofs they've installed, whether their crew does metal regularly or subcontracts it, and which manufacturer's system they use. Ask to see a finished metal roof nearby, and how they handle snow guards and gutters.
Color, Finish and the Neighbors
Metal comes in painted finishes in a wide range of colors, with coatings that resist fading. Darker colors show dents and heat up more; lighter colors reflect more sun. On a street of asphalt roofs, a dark gray or black standing seam roof tends to blend in, while bright colors stand out. If your house is in a homeowners association, check its rules before choosing.
Metal Roofing Around Edison
Edison
- Clara BartonEdison
- Oak TreeEdison
- North EdisonEdison
- Menlo ParkEdison
- SteltonEdison
- BonhamtownEdison
- LindenauEdison
- PiscatawaytownEdison
Rail corridor
Raritan side
South and north
Sticking with shingles? See asphalt shingle roof replacement.