If it’s time for a new roof for your home, you may want to consider metal roofing. Once used primarily for commercial projects, metal roofing is surging in popularity among homeowners. Today’s metal roofing is a far cry from the tin barns of decades past – it offers streamlined looks and a wide range of colors to fit any home.
Choosing Metal for Your New Roof
Metal roofing is an excellent alternative to traditional roofing materials. It is available in three different styles: panel roofing, standing-seam roofing, and look-alikes, which mimic the look of tiles, slate, and cedar.
Materials commonly used for metal roofing include steel, zinc, copper, aluminum, tin, and hybrid metal mixtures, which are finished with special coatings to prevent rust, reflect heat, and protect the material from moisture damage.
Metal roofs can cost up to four times more than asphalt shingles. But keep in mind a standard asphalt shingle roof has a life expectancy of around 20 years, whereas a metal roof can last upwards of 70. Plus, a metal roof requires minimal maintenance throughout its lifespan. This is huge if you’re planning to live in your current home for many years to come.
Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing
Consider these metal roofing pros and cons before you replace your old or damaged roof.
The Pros
Durable: When properly installed and well maintained, you can count on your metal roof to stand against heavy rain, snow, wind, hail, and other adverse weather conditions far better than different roofing types. Metal roofing is also resistant to pest infestation, mildew, rot, and rust.
Long Lifespan: A properly installed metal roof can last 40 to 70 years, protecting your home and surviving the elements. Most companies back their metal roofs with a 30- to 50-year manufacturer’s warranty. By contrast, asphalt shingles typically last around 20 years.
Fire-Resistant: Metal roofing is non-combustible, with a Class A fire rating – the highest fire-resistant rating. It provides lasting protection from fires caused by lightning or airborne embers and sparks.
Lightweight: Metal is the lightest roofing material available. Because of this, you can save on engineering the roof support structure.
Sheds Rain and Snow: The surface of a metal roof is hard and slippery, allowing rain and snow to run down the roof easier than other roofing materials.
Energy Efficient: While you might think of metal as a heat conductor, metal roofing actually reflects radiant heat from the sun, reducing midday heat gain and your cooling costs by up to 20% during the summer months. Metal roofing also acts as an insulator and can prevent heated air from escaping your home during the winter months.
Versatile: Metal roofing is available in various colors, styles, finishes, and shapes. You can choose from more than 100 different colors. If you don’t want the traditional standing seams, you’ll find products mimicking the look of slate, clay tiles, and wood shakes.
Low Maintenance: Maintaining a metal roof is easy. You need to have the roof inspected once a year, remove debris, tighten loose fasteners, and give a gentle wash.
Environmentally Friendly: Metal roofs have at least 25% recycled content and are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan.
The Cons
High Upfront Cost: The biggest drawback is the upfront expense. The materials come with high price tags. The installation labor is higher than what you’d be charged for other roofing types because installing metal roofing is more complex and requires specialized experience, tools, and equipment.
However, the price balances out when you consider the cost savings on energy and maintenance, the roof’s durability, as well as its lifespan.
Noisy: A metal roof is going to be loud. But when there’s a roof deck, underlayment, and insulation installed beneath it, the sound from rain and hail will be significantly muffled.
Metal Roofs and Leaks
Are metal roofs prone to leaking? No more than any other roofing material type. Typically, the majority of the issues causing metal roof leaks result from poor installation. Common mistakes made during metal roof installation include:
- Using the wrong fasteners
- Over-tightening or under-tightening fasteners
- Incorrect attachment and improper sealing of flashing
- Choosing the wrong metal roofing panel for the pitch of your roof
- Using the incorrect underlayment
- Using the wrong sealant
- Failing to overlap the panels correctly
- Leaving too much or too little overhang
- Roofing over old materials instead of doing a tear-off
Just as with shingles, tile, or other materials, the trick is to have an expert install the metal system and keep up with maintenance. Proper installation and maintenance will help:
- Prevent costly repairs
- Boost energy efficiency
- Extend the life of your roof
- Improve roof performance
- Keep the warranty in effect
- Protect your insulation
- Promote healthy living
Mark Kaufmann Roofing is the name you can turn to for top-quality metal roof installation, repair, and maintenance services in North Port, FL. You can rely on us to help you make an informed decision and deliver outstanding roof replacement results. Contact us to get a free estimate today!
