Benefits Of A Metal Roof

Benefits Of A Metal Roof – Whether you’re putting a roof on a new home, or your existing roof requires a total makeover, there are many materials available.

But no matter what roof style you have, metal roofs can be an attractive option because of their longevity, minimal maintenance, and energy efficiency.

And you can choose from tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, or galvanized steel — just make sure your metal roofing material is tested and labeled by UL, FM Global, or the equivalent, and that you check with your local building department for any code requirements.

Benefits Of A Metal Roof

Metal beats out conventional roofing materials on a number of different counts:

• Standing Seam Metal Roofing – Choosing Your Perfect Roofing System
• Selecting The Right Metal Roof Colors
• The Pros and Cons of Metal Roof Panels

Expected life

Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house, sealing out water, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. Metal is resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot. Warranties vary widely, but most companies back their products for 20 to 50 years. Paint finishes typically have a 30-year limited warranty.

Weight

Compared with tile at 750 pounds per square (an area equal to 100 square feet) or concrete tile at 900 pounds per square, metal roofing is lightweight. Most varieties run from 50 to 150 pounds per square.

Some types of metal roofing materials may be applied over an existing roof without the need for tear-off or additional structural support. In fact, if you’re building a house or an addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members.

Speed & ease of roofing installation

Most metal roofing materials come in multiple-shingle sections or in 12- to 36-inch-wide panels. An accomplished contractor can install these quickly. If your roof is stripped off and a storm is on the way, shortening the process by a day or two may have a critical advantage. Because of the material’s light weight, you can save on engineering and building the supporting structure.

 

Fire resistance

Because metal roof materials are noncombustible, they typically have a Class A fire rating (the most resistant). But part of a roof’s overall classification depends on materials beneath the surface that could ignite in intense heat. Most metal roofs applied over a combustible material such as wood shingles have a lower, Class C rating. See notes under “Metal Roofing Drawbacks” regarding problems in the event of a house fire.

 

Heat conduction

Metal reflects radiant heat from the sun, minimizing midday heat gain. This means you save energy needed for air conditioning during the day. Though the material itself is low in insulation R-value, many systems utilize a dead-air space between the metal and roof deck to increase energy efficiency.

 

Minimal roof pitch

Most metal roofing materials can be installed on gently pitched roofs without presenting a leaking potential. Minimum roof pitch is 3-in-12 (the roof rises 3 inches for each horizontal foot).

Maximum shedding of rain and snow

• Standing Seam Metal Roofing – Choosing Your Perfect Roofing System
• Selecting The Right Metal Roof Colors
• The Pros and Cons of Metal Roof Panels

Metal roofing is practically impervious to rain and snow because of the way the panels interlock and because the surfaces are hard and slippery.