If you are searching for a Ross Township roofer, you are probably weighing two questions at once: who should work on my roof, and what should it be made of. This guide answers both. We are Malick Brothers Exteriors, a family owned roofing company founded in 2022 by Ryan Malick, with our shop at 500 Perry Highway in West View, a few minutes from Ross Township. We handle roofing in Ross Township every month, from shingle repairs on 1950s ranches to full standing seam metal roofing on larger homes, and we have watched more of our North Hills neighbors choose metal each year since we began offering it in January 2023.
Below you will find what a Ross Township homeowner should expect from a local roofer, when a repair is enough and when replacement makes sense, and an honest look at why metal keeps winning here. No prices appear on this page. Every roof is different, and we would rather give you a free written estimate after we have been on your roof than a number that could be wrong.
What a Ross Township roofer deals with that others do not
Ross Township sits on the hills north of the city along McKnight Road, Perry Highway and Babcock Boulevard. The housing stock is a mix of 1950s and 1960s brick ranches and split levels, older two story homes in the Perrysville and Laurel Gardens areas, and newer builds on the edges of the township. Many roofs have low to moderate pitches, long eaves, and chimneys that have seen several reflashings over the decades.
The weather does the rest. Western Pennsylvania roofs go through dozens of freeze and thaw cycles each winter, heavy wet snow that slides and refreezes at the eaves, spring wind that lifts shingle tabs, and summer sun that bakes south facing slopes. A roofer who works in Ross every week knows which details fail first on these houses: ice dam damage at the eaves, cracked flashing at brick chimneys, rusted valley metal, and gutters that have pulled away from rotten fascia.
We have crews on Ross Township roofs in every season, and our repair division handles shingle, slate, tile, flat and box gutter work, so one call covers whatever your house was built with.
Ross Township roof repair: when a repair is the right answer
Not every leak means a new roof. A large share of the Ross roof repair calls we take end with a targeted fix. Common repairs on homes in the township include:
- Resealing or replacing step flashing and counter flashing at brick chimneys and sidewalls
- Replacing wind damaged or missing shingles after a storm
- Rebuilding a rotten section of fascia and rehanging the gutter
- Replacing a failed pipe boot or roof vent
- Repairing a slate or tile roof with matching material instead of replacing the whole thing
A repair makes sense when the roof is in the first half or two thirds of its service life, the damage is in one area, and the decking under it is still sound. Our residential roof repair visits start with a full inspection so we can tell you whether a repair will hold or whether you would be paying for a patch on a roof that is nearly done.
Signs your Ross Township roof is past repair
Replacement becomes the better value when you see several of these at once: shingles that are curling, cracking or losing granules across whole slopes; more than one active leak; soft or sagging decking; repeated repairs in the same spot; or a roof installed before the house changed hands with no record of its age. A written roof inspection settles the question with photos rather than guesses.
Why Ross Township homeowners are switching to metal roofing
Asphalt shingles are still the most common roof in the township, and we install Atlas shingle systems every week. But the share of homeowners asking us about metal has grown steadily, and the reasons are practical rather than fashionable.
It handles our freeze and thaw winters
A standing seam metal roof sheds snow and meltwater quickly, which reduces the ice buildup at the eaves that damages shingle roofs in the North Hills. The panels do not absorb water, so there is nothing to freeze, expand and crack. Concealed fasteners mean fewer holes through the surface and fewer places for a leak to start as the roof expands and contracts with temperature swings.
It resists wind and hail
Spring and summer storms that lift shingle tabs and blow them into the yard have far less to grab on a locked standing seam panel. Steel panels also resist hail better than a shingle that loses its protective granules on impact.
It lasts long enough to be the last roof you buy
A properly installed metal roof is expected to last several decades, often two to three times the life of a standard shingle roof. For a homeowner who plans to stay in Ross for the long term, that usually means skipping an entire replacement cycle, along with the tear off, the dumpster in the driveway and the disruption that comes with it.
It lowers summer attic temperatures
Modern painted metal panels are available in reflective finishes that bounce more of the sun's heat away than a dark asphalt shingle, which helps keep second floor bedrooms and finished attics more comfortable in July and August. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how reflective roofing works in its guide to cool roofs.
It is low maintenance
A metal roof does not shed granules, grow algae streaks or need shingle replacements after every windstorm. Routine care is an annual look at sealant around penetrations, keeping valleys and gutters clear, and trimming branches that could scratch the finish.
Metal versus asphalt shingles on a Ross Township home
| Category | Standing seam metal | Asphalt shingles |
|---|---|---|
| Expected service life | Several decades, often two to three times a shingle roof | Typically 20 to 30 years depending on product and ventilation |
| Snow and ice | Sheds quickly, no water absorption | Prone to ice dams at eaves without proper ventilation and ice barrier |
| Wind resistance | Excellent with locked seams and concealed fasteners | Good when properly nailed, tabs can lift in strong gusts |
| Summer heat | Reflective finishes available | Absorbs more heat, especially dark colors |
| Maintenance | Low, periodic inspection | Moderate, granule loss and storm repairs over time |
| Fire rating | Non combustible panels | Class A rated when installed as a complete system |
| Upfront investment | Higher | Lower |
| Warranty | Manufacturer finish and panel warranties plus workmanship | Atlas 50 year warranty available on complete Atlas systems we install |
If the upfront investment on metal is a stretch, our financing page explains the options we offer, and a high quality shingle system remains an excellent roof for most Ross Township homes.
What drives the cost of a metal roof in Ross Township
People search for how much it costs to put a metal roof on a house more than almost any other roofing question, so here is the honest answer: it depends on the roof, and the only accurate number comes from a written estimate after an on site measurement. These are the factors that move the price most:
- Roof size and pitch. Steeper roofs take more labor and safety setup.
- Complexity. Dormers, valleys, chimneys and skylights add cutting and flashing time. The Wexford home pictured above had multiple dormers, which is where installation skill shows.
- Panel type and gauge. Standing seam with concealed fasteners costs more than exposed fastener panels. Thicker steel (a lower gauge number) resists denting better.
- Finish. Premium paint systems carry longer finish warranties against fading and chalking.
- Tear off and decking. Removing old layers and replacing any rotten sheathing is part of the job on older Ross homes.
- Underlayment and ventilation. A high temperature synthetic underlayment and proper attic ventilation are required for a metal roof to perform and to keep the warranty valid.
How to choose a roofer in Ross Township
Whether you go with metal or shingles, the contractor matters as much as the material. Here is the checklist we would give a family member:
- Pennsylvania HIC registration. Every home improvement contractor in PA must be registered with the Attorney General. Ours is PA174918, and you can verify any contractor at the PA Attorney General HIC search.
- Insurance. Ask for a certificate of liability and workers compensation coverage.
- Manufacturer credentials. We are AtlasPro+ Platinum Select, which lets us offer the Atlas 50 year warranty on complete Atlas roof systems, and MuleHide certified for low slope EPDM and silicone work.
- Local track record. Look for recent jobs in your own neighborhood, not just a long service area list. We completed roof, James Hardie siding, soffit, fascia and gutter work on a Ross Township home in November 2025 and a full Atlas roof replacement in Ross in April 2026, among others.
- Written estimate and warranty. Get the scope, materials, and both the manufacturer and workmanship warranty in writing before any work starts.
- Reviews and BBB. We hold a BBB A+ rating and encourage you to read our Google reviews.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 25 percent rule for roofing?
The 25 percent rule comes from the Florida Building Code, which has required full replacement when more than a quarter of a roof section is repaired within a year. Pennsylvania follows the state Uniform Construction Code, which has no equivalent rule. In Ross Township the decision between repair and replacement rests on the roof's age, condition and the extent of the damage, which an inspection will show.
How much does a new roof cost in Ross Township, PA?
We do not publish prices because two houses on the same street can need very different roofs. Size, pitch, number of layers to remove, decking condition, material choice and the amount of flashing work all change the total. The right way to find out is a free on site inspection followed by a written estimate that lists every item, which is what we provide.
Is a metal roof worth it in Pittsburgh's climate?
For homeowners who plan to stay for the long term, usually yes. Metal sheds snow, resists ice damage and wind, needs little maintenance and should outlast a shingle roof by decades. If you expect to move within a few years, a quality Atlas shingle system with the 50 year warranty is often the better financial choice. We will tell you which we recommend for your house.
Can you put a metal roof over existing shingles?
It is sometimes done, but we generally recommend a tear off on Ross Township homes. Removing the old shingles lets us inspect and replace rotten decking, install a proper high temperature underlayment and ice barrier, and avoid trapping moisture between layers. A clean deck also gives the panels a flat base, which reduces oil canning.
Does a metal roof make the house hot or noisy?
Neither, when installed correctly. Reflective finishes help a metal roof keep an attic cooler than dark shingles, and solid decking with underlayment and attic insulation keeps rain noise close to what you hear now. Both problems are associated with bare metal over open framing, not with a residential roof system. What does matter is installation: clip spacing, fastener patterns and flashing must allow the panels to expand and contract, which is why we recommend a roofer who installs metal regularly.
Talk to a Ross Township roofer who is actually nearby
Our shop on Perry Highway is minutes from every neighborhood in Ross Township, and our crews are on roofs in the North Hills all year. Whether you need a leak repaired this week or want to compare a standing seam metal roof with an Atlas shingle system, we will inspect your roof, show you photos of what we find, and give you a free written estimate with no pressure. Contact Malick Brothers Exteriors to schedule your Ross Township roof inspection.
