One of the harsh realities of being a homeowner is that repairs and renovations will be needed over the course of the home’s life. This includes the roof of your home, which will suffer wear and tear just like the rest of the house.
In recent years, metal roofs have been gaining in popularity. This is because they offer numerous advantages over traditional asphalt shingles. If you’re considering getting a metal roof installed in your home, here are some things to know:
Safety
A metal roof is very safe. If it’s designed and built correctly, a metal roof is fire-resistant, non-flammable and can withstand strong, hurricane-level winds. Also, contrary to what you might think, a metal roof doesn’t attract lightning more than any other kind of roof. In fact, due to its strong fire resistance, a metal roof is likely the safest type of roof in areas where lightning is common.
There’s a simple reason why metal roofs don’t draw lightning: lightning follows a path to the ground. This why it’s attracted to something like a telephone pole. Metal roofs are independent components, however, with no direct path to the earth. Therefore, scientifically, there’s no reason why a metal roof would attract lightning any more than a traditional roof made of asphalt shingles.
Popularity
There was a time when metal roofing was only used on high-end houses. These days, however, production has expanded and manufacturing processes have been developed. Because of this, metal roofing has been showing up more and more on traditional houses. In fact, market share for metal roofing has been increasing at a rate of roughly 3% per year, and currently about 15% of all roof installations use metal roofing products. On the flip side, the market share of asphalt shingle roofing has been decreasing.
Eco-Friendliness
A metal roof is made from up to 95% recycled material, and is fully recyclable once it has reached its end of life. A ruminative coating can be added to a roof, enabling you to greatly reduce the energy required to cool your house—in fact, you could see up to a 40% savings on your energy bills related to climate control.
Longevity
Metal roofs typically last between 50 to 60 years. To compare, an asphalt shingle roof would need to be replaced within 20 years. A tile roof should last at least 80 years, and a slate wall would last more than 100 years. Considering its cost and longevity, a metal roof gives you good value for the money.
Noise
A common myth about metal roofs is that they’re noisy when it rains or when hail lands on them. When properly built, however, metal roofs aren’t any noisier than other roofing types. Metal roofing is usually built over a solid substratum. Also, the attic and insulation work to form a sound barrier. This means that there’s no noticeable rise in sound levels when using a metal roof.
Slope
Another common myth about metal roofs is that they can only work well on heavily sloping roofs. Standing-seam metal roofing, however, works well on low-pitched roofs. This style of roofing is built using large sheets with seams that are elevated and joined together in a water-tight seal. So, while some slope is required to ensure water run-off, a low pitch is no problem for a metal roof.
Durability
Metal roofs are much more durable and require far less maintenance than other roofing types such as asphalt shingles. They aren’t indestructible, however. If there is a major hail storm, where hailstones are the size of golf balls, they could dent the roof—especially if the roof is made of aluminum or copper. Steel is a stronger metal that tends to fare better in this regard. While small hailstones the size of a pea or a dime aren’t much of a problem, giant hailstones can destroy a metal roof.
Installation
Knowledge and expertise are required to install a metal roof the correct way and make sure it functions properly. A malfunctioning metal roof could leak or not adequately protect the house. For these reasons, it would be best to contact a contractor in your area if you’d like to have a metal roof installed.
Fire, Rot and Insects
Metal roofing is virtually fireproof, making it a very sensible choice in areas prone to wildfires. Also insects can’t consume a roof made of metal, like they could some other materials. Also, a metal roof is rot and mildew proof. Metal roofs also absorb heat from the sun, making snow fall off of them more quickly.
Price
The pricing of a metal roof can vary wildly depending on the region, the type of roof, and current demand. Material quality also can greatly affect the price. A local contractor could give you an estimate and let you know what options you have available to you.