Metal Roofs - A Durable Alternative

Whenever you’re constructing a new building, you need to consider the roof. Roofs are also major components of the cost of repairing existing houses. When you are choosing a roof, you need to consider appearance, expense, durability, and the length of time that you intend to continue living in the house. Depending on your needs, metal roofs may be a good option for you.

In both appearance and functionality, modern residential metal roofing has improved greatly from the days of their corrugated, “tin shed” appearance. Metal roofs now are more aesthetically pleasing, while retaining all the advantages of the material. Metal roofs are extremely durable, fire resistant, light weight, wind resistant, reflect heat well, and are easier to install. Drawbacks include initial cost, louder noise from rain or hail, poor insulation ability, and easier chipping and denting.

Metal also has a very high tolerance to heat and won’t burn except at extreme temperatures. So metal roofing is awarded the highest fire retardant rating, which keeps your family safer, increases the resale value of a home, and decreases the rates of your insurance. Metal is also resistant to wind, so if you live in a windy locale prone to hurricanes this type of roofing has an additional attractive feature just for you.

Because they are reflective of the sun’s radiation, they keep your house cool in the summer and reduce utility costs of air conditioning. Metal has virtually no inherent insulation to keep in heat, but if you add insulation materials or construct your roof so that there is a “dead space” between the metal and the underlying components, this is not a significant problem at all. If you’re concerned about noise from your metal roof during rain or hail, consider using sound deadening insulations. Note that heat can make metal contract and expand, so connectors may loosen over time.

The lightness of metal roofs can reduce construction costs decreasing the amount of support members needed for them. Low weight can also mean that metal roofing can be installed over an existing roof in need of replacement without having to tear it off, saving time and money. Since metal types often come in sheets covering a fairly larger area, installation takes less time. However, large sections may be harder to replace if that becomes necessary and may be hard to match if an addition is built.

The often greater initial expense of premium metal roofing can make the option less attractive. However, discount metal roofing is available. Metal roofs enjoy a 20 to 50 year life span, and may outlive the rest of the house. Therefore, the total cost of ownership can be much less in the long run, particularly for those people who are planning to stay in their home for a good portion of the metal roof’s life span.