Can I paint my metal roof? Is it reliable and how much does it cost? — Angie's List member Linda Knudsen, McAusland, Seattle

If the roof's structural integrity remains in good shape, it costs less to repaint it than replace it, according to Todd Miller, a board member with the trade group Metal Roofing Alliance. "If the paint is just faded or chalky, it's still adhering to the metal's surface and it can be repainted," he says.

Since many metal roof manufacturers guarantee their product for 30 to 50 years, customers should check their warranty prior to repainting. "Metal can last forever," says Shawn Wood, an estimator with highly rated TLC Roof Services in Las Vegas. "It's the paint that wears down."

Rossi Palmieri, president of highly rated Worry Free Painting in Fairfield, N.J., says you'll want to repaint with a product that's specifically engineered for metal roofs because metal expands and contracts. "If you don't use a product that contracts and expands, it's going to crack and peel very quickly," he says.

Most brand-name paint stores offer specialty metal roof paint, Miller says, adding that he also recommends customers hire a painting company with experience in repainting metal surfaces. To ensure long-lasting performance, the job requires proper surface preparation, including power washing and applying primer prior to painting.

Miller estimates repainting costs about $2 to $3 per square foot, whereas metal roof replacement can cost $5 to $10 per square foot. 

Other coating products for metal roofs include Kynar brand air-dry coatings, which approximate a metal roof's original finish, or elastomeric coatings, which can help seal cracks or splits.