Metal roofing is known for its resistance to weather, including wind, hail, ice, and snow. It is less affected by hot-cold and wet-dry cycles that destroy other materials. Commercial metal roofs have been in service 30 years or more. Painted roofs are credibly warranted up to 30 years.

In addition to being energy efficient, metal roofing is recognized as a sustainable building material for several other environmental reasons. And, as a "green" building product, metal roofing is rightfully becoming more popular in the architectural community.

Metal roofs typically have a minimum of 25% recycled content. This level of recycled content allows metal roofing to be routinely included on listings for "green" and recycled content products. This is especially important since the U.S. Green Building Council program for certification of green buildings, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), awards either one or two points for the weighted total recycled content of all materials in a project. Metal roofing is a solid contributor toward one LEED® point and may help gain a second one.

Metal roofing is also 100% recyclable when ultimately removed as part of building renovation or demolition. Other roofing materials are routinely removed and disposed of by the ton in landfill, but metal roofing can be recycled in its entirety. Metals are exceptional building materials that can credibly claim both recycled content and recyclability by recognized definitions.

Depending on the specific product chosen, the weight of metal roofing is one-third to as little as one-eighth that of conventional roofing shingles. This lower weight produces less static and dynamic loading on the structure and thus can allow for metal roofing to be installed over old roofing material without requiring demolition removal.