The Pros And Cons Of Investing In Metal Roofing On Your House

Metal roofing is one of the most preferred roofing options for many homes today. More and more homeowners are going for metal roofs in both roof replacement projects and new construction. One of the reasons for this is because it is exceptionally durable and can withstand almost any type of weather exceptionally well. The metal roofing materials also come in various forms and build including copper, galvanized steel, tin, aluminum, and stone-coated steel among others. Discussed below are some of the benefits and advantages as well as disadvantages/drawbacks of choosing metal roofing for your house.

The Advantages

1. Metal roofs are long-lasting and highly durable

When installed correctly, a metal roof (from the cheapest material) can last at least 30 years without causing any leaks or other structural shortcomings. Metal also has a higher fire resistance rating and is resistant to insects, rot, and mildew. To prove this, most metal roof manufacturing companies offer service warranties for not less than 20 years. The highest quality metal roofs have a lifespan ranging from 40 to 75 years, which is more than what asphalt shingles can offer.

The metal roof is also capable of surviving high winds, sheds snow smoothly and effortlessly, and seals water out of the house. Research also shows that steel roofs can withstand the coldest and hottest of temperatures, as well as gusting winds of up to 140 miles per hour.

2. Energy Efficiency

Metal roofs reflect radiant heat from the sun, as well as freezing temperatures during winter. By reflecting back radiant heat, you’ll not have to turn up the air conditioner to get rid of the heat, nor turn up the heater in cold weather. Many may argue that metal has a low insulation R-value. To curb this, installation experts use a thick film of insulation material (foam) under it, as well as dead-air space between the metal and roof deck to reduce heat loss from the inside. Manufacturers also add special reflective pigment coating on metal roofs to reduce heat gain/loss in the house as well. All these measures help make metal roofs more energy efficient, thus lower electricity bills.

3. Weight and Aesthetic Appeal

Metal roofs are considerably much lighter per square foot as compared to other roofing materials out there. Although lightweight, metal roofs retain their sturdiness and strength, hence no need for reinforcements for support. Thanks to the reduced weight factor, metal roofs handle snow buildup (during winter) particularly well. You also don’t have to struggle to remove snow from your roof, as a slight temperature increase causes most of it to melt or fall off.

Metal roofs also come in a wide variety of designs, textures, and colors. You can, therefore, choose the best roofing design to compliment your house hence a stylish home. Metal roofs from stone-coated steel, for instance, have better aesthetics, practicality, and also safer to use on your roof as well. The added texture reduces slippage particularly while working on the roof, and also gives your home a unique look and feel.

4. Ease of Installation and Low Maintenance

With the appropriate and experienced roofing contractor, you can have the entire roofing process done and completed expertly in half or even less the time it would take to install asphalt shingles. This is because metal roofing materials are sturdy and lightweight, hence don’t need massive reinforcements. In addition to this, the roofing materials are relatively large with shingle sections of between 12 to 36 inches. Using the 2018 roofing calculator will ensure that the measurements are correct. The roofer therefore only needs to work with fewer shingles thus reduced error-rate. In addition to this, metal roofing materials can be used on virtually any roof design and shape.

Most roofing materials need/have to be regularly inspected. This is because some shingles do break during the installation process, while others wear out over time filling up your gutters and such.  Metal roofs are however maintenance free. As long as the roofing contractor knew what he/she was doing, metal the only servicing you might need to do is to sweep debris and leaves off the roof. This eliminates the need for repeated repair costs associated with all the other roofing materials.

The Disadvantages/Drawbacks

1. Initial Installation Cost

The initial metal roofing installation costs is way much higher than asphalt shingles. Studies show that metal roofs can cost up to 10 times the cost of installing asphalt shingles on your house. The high price tag comes in both material acquisition and installation labor, which is highly specialized. For this reason, metal roofing is recommended for anyone looking to spend much of his/her life in the house, or if roofing rental/commercial buildings. This way, you will be able to realize the benefits over the extended periods of time.

2. Metal roofs can be noisy

Metal roofs can be quite noisy especially in a hailstorm or rainstorm. Most relate this to living inside a drum. Although the soft sound of rain tapping can be homey and romantic for some, most people find it quite unbearable. Investing in good quality insulation, such as foam insulation and solid plywood sheathing, however, helps suppress the noise. Most homeowners choose to insulate the entire roof to help reduce the drumming effect, especially during a hailstorm. This should be factored in to the initial setup and installation costs.

3. Denting

Softer metal roofing materials such as copper and aluminum are prone to denting. Denting can occur if large hailstones fall on it, or when a plumber has to walk on the roof to fix the chimney or snake out a vent pipe.  One therefore needs to identify the main rail lines of the roof’s skeleton to avoid denting the roof.  Investing in the much stronger metal roofing materials however eliminates this problem.

Conclusion

The advantages of investing in metal roofing on your house outweigh the disadvantages by far. Most of the drawbacks of a metal roof have a way around it, a clear indicator of how beneficial a metal roof is. Several factors however have to be considered before choosing to invest in a metal roof. The most important of these include cost, budget, and how long you wish to stay/live in the house. You’ll also need to find a certified supplier and roofing contractor to realize more of these benefits.