Whether you’re buying a home with a metal roof or considering installing it, here’s what you need to know.
Whether you are roofing a new home or your current roof requires renovation, there are many materials available. But regardless of what roof style you have, metal roofs can be an attractive option due to their longevity, minimal maintenance. And energy efficiency. When it comes to materials, options include steel (galvanized, galvalume, or Corten), aluminum, copper, zinc, and tin. The product types are vertical seam, with preformed panels and granular coated panels. Style options allow you to achieve the look of asphalt shingles, slate roof, clay shingles, wood shingles, or vertical panels. Make sure your metal roofing product is tested, labeled, and listed by a testing organization, such as UL, FM Approvals, or Intertek, for meeting stringent wind, fire, and impact rating requirements. Remember also that the installation may vary depending on the geographical location,
Advantages of metal roofs
Metal roofs offer many benefits, including:
- Metal roofs can last between 40 and 70 years, depending on the material used. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated useful life of approximately 12 to 20 years.
- If installed properly, some metal roofs can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour, are not subject to corrosion or cracking, and may be impact resistant (depending on the type of metal you choose). Additionally, metal roofs do not need the periodic and expensive maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to ensure that no repairs are required.
- Metal roofs will not spark or catch fire during a wildfire or lightning strike.
- Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect ultraviolet and infrared light rays that contribute to radiant heat from the roof surface, which can result in a 10-25% reduction in cooling costs.
- Environmental friendly. Metal roofs not only contain 25-95% recycled material, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their useful life. In contrast, most shingle waste ends up as part of other construction-related waste – producing up to 20 billion pounds a year.
Disadvantages of metal roofs
Despite its many advantages, metal roofs do have some potential downsides.
- Affordability Metal roofing can cost up to two to three times more than other roofing materials. While the lifespan of a metal roof is much longer, investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.
- Metal roofs can be louder than other products during a heavy rain or hail storm, depending on the type of deck used during their installation (spaced or solid). Sometimes the problem can be solved by adding more sound insulation to the attic, but that could increase costs.
- Expansion, contraction and fasteners. Assemblies for metal roofing materials added to large panels are designed to expand and contract as they heat up and cool down. However, the lifespan of both exposed and hidden fasteners can vary. Depending on the weather, the neoprene washers and screws used during installation could deteriorate and come off over time.
- Inconsistency in terms of tonality. If you have to repair or add an extension to your home years later, it may be difficult to find another metal that has the exact same hue as the existing one.
- If, due to poor quality of installation or repair, water accumulates anywhere on the roof, this can cause serious damage over time. Low-grade metals could be thinner and less durable. Some metals rust in certain climates or dent more easily than others during hail storms or installation.
You may be interested in reviewing these roof replacement questions check out the best metal roofing contractors around you and ask this question to know more about best metal roof for your home and their cost.
