When deciding the type of roof you want, there are pros and cons to each kind of material. Choices range from asphalt or slate to clay tiles or metal. Lately, metal roofs have become more popular, but you need some details to be sure a metal roof is right for your home.
The Pros
A metal roof can add a beautiful, modern look to your property. And if you’re looking for a roof that will last for decades without needing replacement, metal is a good option. It is durable and long-lasting, with an expected lifespan of between 40 and 70 years. The manufacturer’s warranty on a metal roof can be up to 50 years. Compare this to a traditional asphalt roof, which typically lasts between 12 and 20 years, often needing replacement more than once during the time you own your home.
If you are re-roofing your home with a metal roof, you may not even need to remove the old material. Depending on how many layers of roofing material are already there, it may be installed directly on top of the old asphalt shingle roof without damaging the structural support of the home. The weight of a metal roof is up to 30% lighter than asphalt materials. Not only does it reduce the time, cost, and effort of tearing off your old roof, it saves the financial and environmental cost of disposing of the asphalt shingles in a landfill.
If eco-friendly and efficient is what you are striving for, some newer metal roofing products are composed of up to 95% recycled material and are 100% recyclable at the time of replacement. Metal roofs are also energy efficient. Even though you will spend up to 30 percent more to purchase a metal roof, your monthly heating, and cooling costs will likely be lower, balancing out your upfront costs. Metal roofs are designed to reflect solar radiant heat, reducing the energy costs to cool your home by as much as 25 percent during a long hot summer.
When installed correctly, the durability of a metal roof is clearly an advantage. Metal roofs are less susceptible to leaking, can withstand high winds and wind damage better than other roofing materials, and are less likely to corrode or crack due to rust-proof coatings. In areas prone to wildfire danger, metal roofs are becoming more popular because they are virtually fireproof. Additionally, they resist rotting, mildew, and damage from wood-boring insects.
Aesthetically, metal roofing comes in more varieties than any other conventional type of roofing. They offer tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel, a variety of finishes and shapes, and over 100 colors. The two most common metals used in residential roofing are steel and aluminum. Both materials are designed to hold paint finishes well, so you can even apply a custom color.
The Cons
Now that we’ve told you all the advantages of metal roofing, it is not the solution for every home or region of the country. While hail damage is rarely a problem for a metal roof when talking about pea-sized or quarter-sized hail, larger hailstones could damage it. If you live in an area where severe hailstorms are common, you may want to choose steel roofing, which is more resistant to denting than aluminum or copper. However, no matter what type of roofing you have, find out if there are any exclusions on your homeowners’ insurance coverage for hailstorm damage.
Typically, in regions that receive snowfall, snow will slip off a metal roof without building up and having to be removed, so you won’t have to worry about raking heavy snow off of it. However, it also means that large amounts of snow may slide off and damage landscaping, cars, or injure a person. You may need to invest in snow guards for added protection.
If you’ve been considering a metal roof, Rose Roofing hopes that these insights are helpful. We have installed every type of material and are happy to discuss the solutions available to you based on the design of your home, your neighborhood, preferences, and budget. Contact us today for more information!
Sources:
Photo: Unsplash, Robin Kutesa
Metal Roofing Alliance https://www.metalroofing.com/residential-metal-roofing/
https://www.statefarm.com/simple-insights/residence/metal-roof-pros-and-cons