Wood and asphalt shingles continue to be popular materials for roofing. However, you will find a much better value by choosing a metal roof the next time you need to replace yours. If you are at the point of re-roofing your residence, a metal roof is your best protection against premature failure plus superior performance.
Here are nine advantages of using metal roofing for your home.
Versatility
Not all metal roofs are alike. In fact, they can have the appearance of any other material you desire, in any color or texture. If you like, you can leave the metal in its natural color or specify any shade or hue you wish. Later, you can easily paint it a different color as preferences and styles change.
Does your homeowner’s association require a specific appearance? A metal roof can be designed to look just like a shake roof, asphalt or wood shingles, tile, or stone. Metal roofs come in a variety of styles that sport a standing seam or install to create a smooth exterior.
Another versatile feature of a metal roof is the ability to specify minimal pitch. The typical pitch of a metal roof is 3-in-12, where the roof rises three inches per horizontal foot.
Lightweight
Did you know a metal roof weighs less than a comparably designed asphalt or wood roof? Steel, a common metal used for roofing, has a higher strength to weight ratio than any other material. Your home’s foundation and frame will have less strain placed on it than if you used traditional roofing materials.
Durability
Metal roofs don’t last forever, but they certainly last longer than other types of roof. A steel roof may last the lifetime of the structure.
Wood and asphalt shingles last about 15 to 20 years. A quality metal roof can survive for up to 70 years in an extreme case. Metal doesn’t rot, no insects or vermin appear to like chewing on it, and it is resistant to high winds.
Fire Resistance
A metal roof does not burn nor does it spread flames. House fires caused by lightning are extremely rare when it is protected by a metal roof. In areas where forest fires are typically found, your house could not be set alight from embers floating through the air.
Sustainability
Steel is the ultimate in sustainable materials. All steel is recyclable and is made of a high percentage of recycled steel. Anytime a steel roof is removed, the material goes to a recycling facility, not the landfill. No matter how many times it is recycled, steel loses none of its strength.
Creating steel consumes little energy and less water than it did decades ago. And unlike wood, you don’t have to wait for 20 years for a tree to grow to harvest size to continue to create new material.
Energy Efficiency
A cool metal roof painted white with additional heat-emitting pigments can lower your energy bills by 30% or more. Paired with the right amount and type of insulation, you will see your energy bills shrink significantly.
A white metal roof reflects a substantial proportion of the sun’s light instead of absorbing it as heat and transferring it to the interior of the attic. With the right pigments, a metal roof can re-emit absorbed heat also, lowering the temperature even more.
Sheds Rain and Snow
If your home is in a region of the country that sees heavy snow, a metal roof will shed snow before the weight of it causes roof damage or structural collapse. You can specify any pitch for a metal roof; it is capable of meeting any building code anywhere in the U.S. If you install a roof in a dark color, the additional warming will melt any remaining snow.
Heavy rains can cause issues with traditional roofs. A metal roof allows the water to sheet off the panels and into the gutter system to be channeled away from your home. The panels interlock and are sealed to prevent leakage into the attic.
Quick, Easy Installation
A metal roof can be installed over an underlayment or over your old shingles if you prefer. Without the need to remove and haul away shingles, nails, and trim you can save money on roof installation and avoid adding to the local landfill.
Metal roof installation reduces labor time, saving you money, and you may be able to install a new roof quickly enough to avoid damage to the interior if your old roof was torn off.
Low Maintenance
Metal roofs require minimal maintenance. All you need to do is keep the roof free of debris, touch up any scratches or pings in the paint, and replace the gaskets periodically. If it has been installed correctly, you need only replace the sealant every 20 years or so.
Your metal roof won’t rust, mold, mildew, or corrode as long as the surface remains undamaged and there is no standing water. Keep your gutters clear and remove anything that will keep moisture in contact with the metal, such as masses of leaves or dirt.
A metal roof is an investment in the life of your home. You will enjoy an attractive, durable, and low maintenance roof that saves costs on installation, repair, maintenance, energy usage and insurance. Most insurers offer lower rates on premiums for structures with a fire-resistant metal roof.
Once you install one, you may never need to replace it as long as you own the home.
Steve Wright works for Whirlwind Steel, a manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings and components. Whirlwind Steel metal buildings are manufactured and designed to meet the highest quality standards.