Metal Roofing Materials
Most people talk about metal roofing like the entire category can be summed up at once. They speak about metal roofing compared to conventional roofing as one category versus another. Speaking of anything in such general terms does an injustice to the many nuances prevalent in the field. In terms of metal roofing materials, many distinct choices exists, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Learning about each will help you choose which metal roofing material is the best choice for your house.
Copper is one material which has been used for roofing for centuries. This classic choice is easily tooled into whatever form you want because the copper is naturally soft. Over time, the copper will naturally adopt a verdigris coating. This means that it doesn’t require any kind of finish, removing any maintenance required to combat scratches or peeling. Copper roofing is an exquisite choice who’s only drawback is price.
Steel Roofing
Steel is a great choice for a metal roof because of its characteristic high strength and durability. It’s cheaper than copper, which helps reduce sticker shock. Generally, steel roofing is coated to increase its corrosion resistance and desirability. The coating is typically zinc based, but often a zinc-aluminum blend. Because of steel’s strength, it has a huge range of potential applications. It shines where many lesser materials fail. The steel can be finished in any style you desire, as well.
Aluminum Roofing
Aluminum is another excellent choice for metal roofing materials. While it definitely needs a shiny finish in order to look acceptable, it’s rust resistance is top notch. This is because aluminum naturally forms a rust-resistant layer on its surface. To enhance this, the aluminum is coated similarly to steel roofing. Aluminum roofing is exceptionally lightweight and sturdy, meaning it typically doesn’t require the reinforcement that other heavier materials need. This material shines in salty coastal areas with its high corrosion resistance in extreme conditions. Aluminum’s malleability means that it can be bent into all sorts of elaborate shapes to help your aesthetic tastes. And if you’re still unconvinced, consider that aluminum shingles are 100% recyclable. This means less of an impact on the earth, and a boon to future generations. For beauty, strength, and longevity, aluminum is truly a remarkable material.
Metal Roof Materials
There’s a whole lot of variety out there, so take the time to really consider your individual needs before making a final decision. The values of metal roofing materials are out there for you to grab hold of!
The Advantages of Metal Roofing
The advantages of metal roofing materials are numerous, yet many people still stubbornly persist in their use of the old industry standards. Here are just a few ways that metal roofing is superior to conventional roofing materials.
Low Heat Conduction
Metal roofing materials are shiny, are reflect the sun’s rays on those hot summer days. This means that less heat makes it into your home, translating into less power used for running air conditioning. This means lower energy bills, which are always beneficial to the good old bottom line. This benefit will help you save money each and every month over the long run. This can even be enhanced with certain finishes or paints, which is why metal roof paint has special formulations.
Reduced Leaking
For roofs with low pitch, leaking is one of those possibilities that never goes away using conventional roofing materials, no matter how minimized it becomes through various tricks and techniques. However, with metal roofing materials gently pitched roofs can be covered with virtually no risk of leaking. The minimum pitch is 3 in 12, meaning a three inch rise every foot.
Non Flammable Materials
One of the great benefits of metal is that it doesn’t burn. Compare that with asphalt shingles, which are a definite fire risk. Metal roofing materials are inflammable and safe. This can go so far as to reduce your home owners insurance depending on your state and location. The other real benefit of this is that your home is practically immune to catching on fire from lightning strikes, no matter what the myths may say.
Light Weight
Contrary to popular belief, metal roofing materials actually weigh less than tile or concrete roofing. Much less. Metal roofing is super lightweight - 50 to 150 pounds per 100 square feet. Compare this to concrete at 900 or tile at 750 and its obvious just how much you’re saving. This keeps the supports in your house free of extra weight, meaning they’re less likely to break or require maintenance. You may even be able to reduce the number of supports you need. Different metal roofing materials have different densities, so don’t expect each to have the same weight. For instance, copper roofing will always be lighter than steel roofing for the same area covered.
Longevity
Longevity is where metal roofing materials really shine. Simply put, the metal roof should last as long as the house does. You’ll rarely need to do any maintenance or repairs since the metal is durable. It seals out water and is resistant to conventional roofing’s four biggest fears: fire, mildew, insects, and rot. You can easily measure your metal roofs lifetime in decades, not years.
Ease of Installation
Metal roofing installation is not as difficult as many would make it out to be. This is because it comes in multi-shingle sections, which skilled professionals can put in place quickly. Installing metal roofs can be difficult to do yourself, so you should generally consult local contractors before undertaking the task. With a metal roof, you won’t need to worry - you’ll be covered.
Metal Roofing Savings
Metal roofing materials may cost more at first to purchase and install, but they offer huge benefits in long term savings. They do this through a variety of different methods which home owners can exploit, including low life-cycle costs, reducing energy costs and consumption, helping increase the property value of the house, and potentially lower home owners insurance. In the long run, the lesser costs of metal roofing combined with their other benefits make them a wise fiscal choice when considering a new roofing project.
Lowering Home Owners Insurance
This is a benefit that unfortunately is not available in every state. Since installing a metal roof makes your house less likely to catch fire or flood during sever rainstorms, many insurance companies offer discounts depending on the type of metal roofing material you choose to install. Make sure you look into potential benefits before you think about metal roofing costs.
Property Value Appreciation
Metal roofing materials are widely known as durable and lasting, and as such installing them on your home increases its overall property value. It’s typical to recoup between 75% and 95% of the initial cost of installation by the time you look to resell your home. Compare this with the regular upkeep and depreciation seen in many other roofing materials, and the savings look even more beneficial! This can significantly mitigate the initial cost of metal roofing.
Energy Consumption Reduction
You could see your energy costs reduced considerably depending on the type of metal roofing materials you choose to install and the kind of finish you apply. Unlike asphalt roofing materials which absorb sunlight, metal roofing materials actually reflect the sun’s rays, meaning you need less energy to keep it cool. This has been shown to reduce energy costs by as much as 40% on hot summer days. In addition, certain kinds of pigments can actually re emit heat back into the air, which in the long run saves you even more. Remember, the less heat that enters your house, the less heat you have to remove through air conditioning. This is especially important if you live in hot, sunny areas.
Life Cycle Costs
Unlike other roofing materials which need to be maintained and replaced every few years, metal roofing materials are widely known for their longevity. The metal roofing cost may seem intimidating at first, but in the long run you could actually wind up saving money, not to mention all the time and energy it takes to replace worn out shingles. Metal roofing materials last for decades, typically with a guarantee.