According to Metal Roofing Alliance, metal roofs are rising in popularity, doubling in popularity for new home construction. If you're going to be replacing your roof sometime in the near future, a metal roof may be the best option for you, depending on your needs, budget, and the setting where you live. Metal roofs have many advantages. They're easy to clean, fire-resistant, and energy-efficient. Knowing the benefits of metal roofs, including how long they last, can help you decide whether this is the right roofing type for you.
Metal roofs come in various colors, so they can easily be matched to the landscaping or decor of the home. They also come in different textures and can be made to look like shingles or clay tiles. They can be made of steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc. You've got many choices to make if you're thinking about installing a metal roof on your home. Before you decide to install this roofing, here's what you need to know.
Advantages of Metal Roofs
The benefits of installing metal roofs are numerous.
Minimal Maintenance
Metal roofs are resistant to moss growth and easy to clean. Debris easily slides off a properly installed metal roof.
Energy Efficient
Metal is incredibly energy efficient. It reflects solar energy back into the atmosphere while absorbing little heat itself. Because it has a low thermal mass, it does little to heat the house on a warm summer day. Cool (light-colored) roofs are even more effective at reflecting heat away from the home and back into the atmosphere.
What does this mean for you as a homeowner? Installing a metal roof on your home can lower your cooling costs by 10-25%. This also puts less wear and tear on your HVAC system and promotes greater comfort indoors.
Longevity
Metal is long-lasting - so long-lasting, in fact - that a standing seam metal roof can last up to 50 years, while a screw-down metal roof may last 30 years. How does that compare to a standard roofing material like asphalt shingles? You can expect a typical asphalt shingle roof to last approximately 20 years.
This means that a homeowner with an asphalt shingle roof may go through the roof replacement two or three times in their life as a homeowner, while a homeowner with a new metal roof may never have to replace their roof.
Durability
When properly installed, a metal roof can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour. Unlike some other roofing materials, metal will not corrode or crack. It's also impact resistant. You should have your metal roof periodically inspected - just like any other roofing material - but you can expect your metal roof to last a long time.
Safe
Metal is not flammable, which means it won't spark or catch fire. This can make metal much safer than some other roofing materials, especially in conditions like a lightning strike or a wildfire.
Environmentally Friendly
Typical metal roofs are made from 25-95% recycled content. When they're no longer needed, they are 100% recyclable.
Disadvantages of Metal Roofs
There are some disadvantages to metal roofs.
- Cost. Metal costs more than traditional shingles.
- Noise. Metal roofs can be noisier than asphalt roofs, although layers of insulation and roofing materials can help dampen the sounds that you might hear during a standard rainstorm.
- Inconsistent color matches. If you ever need to replace a panel because your roof has become damaged, finding an exact color match may be very challenging.
Protecting Your Metal Roof
While metal can be very long-lasting and durable roofing material, it's crucial to have an experienced and knowledgeable roofer perform the installation. Any scratching or damage done during the installation will expose the steel to dew or moisture, which can cause rust.
Also, it's essential to check on your metal roof once annually to look for potential trouble. Have your roofer check out your roof or perform the inspection yourself.
Call the Professionals
Are you ready to install a metal roof on your home? Pickard Roofing has been installing roofs on homes in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill North Carolina area for 90 years. To get started installing a quality roof on your home, contact us today.
At Pickard Roofing, we think Design. Craft. Renew. We are experienced in all types of roofing systems- and provide the right roofing design and selective craftsmanship for renewing our customer’s assets. We invite sustainable building customers to give us a call for your free evaluation. For over 90 years Pickard Roofing Company has installed countless metal, tile, slate, TPO, EPDM, and all types of shingle roofing in the Triangle. Our services include residential, commercial, custom architectural metal fabrication, and historical renovation.
