What's Happening with Metal Roofing: An Interview with Todd Miller

We recently had the opportunity to talk with Todd Miller to get his take on what’s happening in the residential metal roofing industry. President of Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Todd Chairs the Metal Construction Association Roofing Council and is a founding member of the Metal Roofing Alliance. Let’s see what he had to say:

Q: Todd, in the current economic times, what is happening to residential metal roofing?

A: Actually, all indications are that the industry will show some good growth this year. The bulk of the residential roofing market in any given year is for re-roofing, And, what we’ve been finding with the decline of new home construction is that homeowners who care about the beauty and durability of their homes are choosing to re-roof with metal as a way to upgrade their home investments.

Q: Are there any particular geographic areas where metal is really taking off?

A: Not really, we’re seeing growth in virtually all markets right now.

Q: What are the top couple of reasons why people are choosing metal?

A: They really like its durability, and its energy efficiency. It is pretty meaningful for most homeowners if they can cut their summer energy costs by up to 20%. But, you know what? At the end of the day, when the roof has been installed and that proud homeowner stands in their yard and looks at it, the number one thing they usually like is the beauty of it.

Q: That’s great. We’ve noticed that as well. So, what challenges does the residential metal roofing industry face?

A: As an industry we have made great strides in getting homeowners aware of and interested in metal roofing. However, we need to catch up with that on the supply end. There are contractors and distributors out there who have sold metal roofing into the agricultural and commercial / industrial markets for years and they are just trying to shift those same products and practices over to the residential arena. That is leading to problems. We need more companies like Bauer Roofing that understand residential metal roofing and can meet the needs of homeowners.

Q: That’s interesting. What kind of problems have you seen?

A: One common problem we’ve seen is steel roofs being installed over battens instead of solid decking. While that can work with a large building has a lot of air exchange, it will lead to condensation and even mold problems on most houses.

Q: Any other issues you’ve seen?

A: Yes. Sometimes homeowners are not getting the products they think they are getting. They see websites full of beautiful metal roofs with different designs and all hidden fasteners but then they end up with a corrugated piece of steel that has exposed screws all over on it. That’s when the disappointment begins to set in and then it can really accelerate down the road if they have problems with those fasteners which are notorious for backing out and even allowing water infiltration.

Q: That’s not good. You keep mentioning steel roofing yet our company offers primarily aluminum. Care to comment on the difference?

A: Sure. I talk about steel because that is the bulk of the market. However, aluminum is a great way to go, especially if someone is in a coastal area. Once a homeowner has made the decision to invest in a metal roof, investing a little extra to upgrade to aluminum which will never rust, can be a wise choice.

Q: Very good. Thank you for your time today. Any parting words?

A: Again, it’s great that homeowner know more about metal roofing and they’re seeking it out. I just cannot stress enough how important it is for them to work with an experienced company like yours that fully understands and appreciates the nuances and intricacies of choosing and using a product that is right for them and their home. Otherwise, they run the risk of a significant investment with disappointing results.