Metal roofs tend to be a rare sight among neighborhoods, but will stand out among clusters of homes with black or gray asphalt shingles. A silver or copper glimmer will show how the roof is constructed from a different material, or it might have a distinct hue such as red or blue.

There are a number of benefits to using metal as a roofing material, including strength and durability. However, you'll also need to consider a few disadvantages before adding metal shingles to the top of your home.

A variety of metals work well for roofing material. Timothy Thiele, writing for the home design site The Spruce, says these include aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and tin.

The major advantage to using metal instead of asphalt shingles is that the material is very long-lasting, with a lifespan of 50 to 75 years. Donna Boyle Schwartz, writing for the home improvement professional Bob Vila, says metal roofs often come with a long warranty as well. These factors mean you'll be unlikely to worry about roof issues during your time in the home, and a durable roof can also be a major selling point when you put the property on the market.

Metal roofs can also be very resilient against the elements, including wind gusts. The metal is covered with a rustproof coating to keep it from corroding due to frequent exposure to rain. Pacific West Roofing, a company in Tualatin, Ore., says metal roofs will also resist fire, insect infestation, rot, and snow. Thiele says metal roofs are no more vulnerable to lightning than other types of roofing.

Installing a metal roof can be a fairly simple process. The material is lightweight, and can sometimes be installed directly on top of an old roof. Standing seam metal roofs come in long panels, which can be fitted together to quickly cover a large area. This quality also tends to make metal roofs less susceptible to leaks, although this problem can still occur at the seams after a faulty installation.

Metal roofs can make your home more visually interesting. Becky Harris, writing for the home design site Houzz, says they will work well with different types of architectural styles. Schwartz says more than 100 different colors of metal roof are available, and aluminum and steel roofs can be painted.

There are a number of environmental benefits associated with metal roofs. These shingles are often made at least in part from recycled materials, and can be recycled themselves once their lifespan is up. The roof will reflect solar heat more easily, keeping the attic from getting too stuffy and reducing your cooling costs in the summer. Harris says metal roofs are also better for rainwater harvesting since the surface tends to be cleaner, while water collected from an asphalt roof might shed shingle granules and chemicals into the runoff.

The main drawback to a metal roof is its expense. Pacific West Roofing says you can recoup this money over time by saving on maintenance and replacement costs, but that it will still be a considerable up-front investment. Schwartz says pricier metals can be up to 10 times as expensive as asphalt shingles, and that installation costs may be higher as well due to the specialized labor it requires.

Although they are durable, metal roofs can also be dented easily if struck by hail, falling tree branches, or other debris. Softer metals such as aluminum or copper are more likely to be dented than stronger metals.

The pitter-patter of rainfall on an asphalt roof can be soothing, but metal roofs will produce a much louder sympathy. Some people might find this noise soothing, while others will be irritated by it. Thiele says insulating methods are available to help muffle sound inside the home.

Rainfall can also make a metal roof quite slick, and the surface will be more slippery than other roofing materials even when dry. This quality can make it hazardous to work on the rooftop.

Snow will slide off a metal roof easily after collecting there during a storm. While this may be considered an advantage, since it does not allow for a potentially dangerous load of snow to pile up on the roof, it can also cause other problems. Harris says snow might collect in roof valleys or eaves. It can also injure people and cause damage to landscaping or cars if a large amount of snow cascades off the roof.

A more minor disadvantage to metal roofs is the fact that they can fade over time. They may also be more likely to develop stains.