When I build or buy my off-grid cabin, I want a metal roof. Like my parents have on their barn and shed. Metal roofs are common on old farm houses, but it seems like asphalt shingles are all the rage nowadays,  though with the rising cost of oil, you are seeing more metal roofs.

I am a big fan of metal roofs. I get why people don’t like them – they’re kind of ugly and old fashion. But do asphalt shingles actually look that nice? I would argue not. They don’t last that long. And they are not recyclable.

Metal roofs are not that hard to install, I helped my dad a few years back do metal roofing on his barn. Metal roofing isn’t super pretty, but it does it’s job well and if it’s properly installed, it is just as water tight as shingles. It lasts a long time, doesn’t contaminate the water, so if you want to do rooftop water collection, the product you get is ready to water plants or with some filtering and purification for domestic use.

That said, I don’t get the trendy new type of metal roofing I’m seeing advertised a lot that is a combination of metal roof backing with asphalt and rock top, formed like a shingle. I guess people like it because it’s more durable and looks more conventional, but it seems like you’re creating a less recyclable and less durable product that is more expensive and produces contaminated rain water, rather then a durable, basic old fashioned metal roof.