Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular, both for commercial and residential properties. They offer several benefits over traditional roofing materials, including durability, low maintenance, and various styles.
I believe that understanding the basics of metal roofing can help you make the best decision for your needs. Here are some key points to consider when considering a metal roof for your home or business.
Benefits of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has several benefits over other roofing materials, such as tiles, asphalt shingles, or concrete. While metal roofing may not be the best choice for everyone, it is worth considering for many home and building owners. Here are some of the most common reasons people decide to buy metal roofs:
Longevity
Many people choose steel roofing because it will outlive any other form of roofing material. Many customers buy steel roofs because they believe it would be the last one they have to install on their business or home. Depending on the type of metal used, most metal roofs can last more than 50 years without showing significant deterioration or corrosion.
Durability
Metal roofing is the strongest and most lasting material compared to wood, concrete, plastic, or glass. It is built to endure high winds, snow, rain, hail, UV rays, mold, mildew, algae, rats, and other animals. Metal roof materials are frequently Class A fire-rated and nonflammable, indicating the highest level of fire resistance. One of the primary reasons metal roofing is so popular is its proven durability against traditional roofing hazards.
Maintenance
A metal roof can last for decades with little to no maintenance, but it is important to inspect it regularly and clean it as needed. General maintenance would entail clearing branches, leaves, and other materials that may become entangled on the roof and in the gutters once a year and after severe storms. Dirt and stains can usually be removed with rainfall, but there are also specific methods for cleaning a metal roof. Generally, a concealed fastener roof will require less maintenance than an exposed metal roof.
Eco-Friendly
Metal roofing is one of the most environmentally friendly types of roofing available. Most metal roofing materials are recyclable, so old panels and leftover scraps from manufacturing may be recovered and utilized in future projects.
In addition, many metal roofing materials, including aluminum, are made from already-recycled metal. Nearly 95% of all aluminum roofing is made of previously recycled materials. This means that choosing metal roofing helps close the recycling loop and reduces the need for mining new metals.
Lower Cost in the Long-Term
The initial cost of a metal roof may be higher than an asphalt shingle or tile roof, but the lifespan of metal is much longer. In some cases, a metal roof lasts up to 60 years, while an asphalt shingle roof lasts only 15-20 years. This means that a metal roof will be cheaper over time than three asphalt shingle roofs.
Warranties
A metal roof comes with a variety of warranties options from various manufacturers and providers. Weathertight warranties, which cover leaks in the roofing system, and paint warranties, which cover the deterioration of the paint system over time, are the most frequent. Warranties might differ depending on your locale, panel profile selection, roofing material utilized, and coil paint system. Before making a purchase, thoroughly read the warranty terms and ask questions.
Metal Roofing Components
- Accessories: When it comes to metal roofing, there are a few extra pieces you’ll need to get the job done. In addition to the panels that make up the roof, you’ll also need clips, fasteners, underlayment, pipe boots, and sealant. Collectively, these items are known as accessories.
- Metal coils and sheets – The continuous rolls of painted and/or treated metal are called coils. All roofs made from metals start as coils that are processed and roll formed into panels for installation.
- Panels – Metal coils can be roll-formed into panels with the desired profile or ribbing structure. These panels can then be seamed together to form a metal roof.
- Profile – Different shapes can be created with metal panels by varying their profiles. These profiles also affect how panels fit and connect to each other and how they are attached to a structure.
- Rollforming machinery/equipment – Coil-forming machines shape metal coils into individual panels.
- Seam – At their point of connection, two metal panels come together, forming a seam. This seam is created using a roll former and then held together through snapping or mechanical means.
Where To Use Metal Roofing
Many misconceptions exist about what types of buildings can benefit from a steel roof. While it’s true that this material is often used on large commercial structures, there are many different applications for steel roofing. A steel roof can benefit homes, architectural buildings, and agricultural structures. Let’s discuss some of the common uses and benefits of this type of roofing to help you make a more informed decision next time you’re considering a roofing project.
Commercial Buildings
Metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular for commercial buildings due to its superior weather resistance to wind and water. In areas where hurricanes or other tropical weather is a concern, metal roofing can provide peace of mind that the roof will last and not need constant upkeep.
Common uses for metal roofing include:
- Hotels
- Schools and universities
- Hospitals
- Churches
- Military structures
- Government buildings
- Stores
- Restaurants
- Offices
Residential Projects
As homeowners increasingly realize that metal roofing will save them money, they have been gaining popularity in recent years as homeowners become aware of their long-term benefits. While some may think metal roofs are only suitable for large buildings, they can be used on smaller structures like sheds or mailboxes. In addition, metal is often used as an accent or awning on roofs made of other materials. And when it comes to Norcross, roofing has started to trend to the metal side of things.