Interest in durability and environmentally friendly exterior products is driving sales of steel siding and metal roofing at Quarve Contracting, in Spring Lake, Minn. Vice president Julie Quarve says that during the last five years, sales of vinyl have dropped from 50% in 2002 to 1% today. By comparison, seamless steel siding has grown about 7% a year and now accounts for 40% of Quarve Contracting's total sales. Metal roofing increased from 2% of sales in 2002 to 30% today.

The siding product, because it is seamless, is better at keeping out wind-driven rain, does not require caulking at the joints for maintenance, and does not trap moisture and has natural air space. All of this contributes to a tighter building envelope, says company president Patrick Quarve.

Metal roofing has a coating, which in certain colors, reflects heat. Some of the products are made of recycled steel, and the product is 100% recyclable. The company lists environmental benefits of the siding on its website. Quarve Contracting put together the list as part of its participation in a local Living Green show, which requires exhibitors to document their green claims.

Long-Term Payback

Julie says that although the environmentally friendly aspects of metal siding and roofing are gaining attention, she still has clients who choose the product primarily for its durability and low maintenance. "People who care about the environment know durable equals green and that metal means a more energy-efficient envelope, which saves money," she says. "But it does not matter what side of the fence you are on — you always want to save money."

The metal products are more expensive: Patrick estimates that the cost of a metal roof is twice the cost of a standard asphalt product; seamless steel siding has a price tag similar to foam-backed vinyl. The premium metal might fit in the budget for smaller houses, which some of the company's clients prefer. "They want a smaller square footage and a longer-life project," he says. If houses with complicated roofs need new sheeting and insulation, he says, for the cost of those added materials, the owners could upgrade to a metal roof.

The company is hoping to work on more projects in Minnesota's local GreenStar program. "Our steel siding gets the highest points in the siding category in the program," Patrick says. The company contributed to a house that earned the bronze level in the program, and it is working on another project that might earn gold.

The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act stimulus tax credit for metal roofing is also gaining homeowner attention. It is 30% of the cost (not including labor) up to $1,500 for metal roofs with appropriate pigmented coatings. Patrick says that, in some cases, the credit drove his clients' interest, but even when the color/style they wanted was not included in the credit, they still chose metal.