There are a multitude of roofing materials available, whether you’re building a new home or replacing an old one. Metal roofs, however, can be an appealing alternative regardless of your roof style due to their longevity, low maintenance, and energy efficiency.
Metal roofing can be found in a number of styles and materials, including galvanized, galvalume, aluminum, copper, zinc, and tin.
For example, vertical seam, pre-formed panels, and granular coated panels are examples of metal roofing product categories. You can choose from shingles, slate, tile, shakes, or vertical panels as your style.
If you want your metal roofing product to meet stringent wind, fire, and impact resistance ratings, make sure it has been tested, labeled, and listed with a testing agency such as UL, FM Approvals, or Intertek. Depending on your local building code, manufacturer instructions, and geographic region, installation may differ.
Benefits of metal roofing
1. Durable and long-lasting
Metal is a significantly more durable and long-lasting solution for residential roofs than the more standard asphalt shingle.
In fact, most homeowners who choose a metal roof will never have to consider re-roofing their home.
Metal roofs have been shown to last two to three times longer than asphalt, with some even lasting 50 to 60 years. A zinc or copper roof can last well over a century.
A metal roof is significantly more resistant to the elements than an asphalt roof. A metal roof will remain appealing and weatherproof for a long time, rain or shine, snow or ice.
2. Resistant to moss and fungus
The formation of moss, mold, mildew, and fungus is virtually impossible on metal roofing, as opposed to asphalt or wood, (eg cedar shingles and shakes) which cause problems over time.
Did you realize that moss and fungus growth are not only unsightly, but they can also significantly reduce the lifespan of an asphalt roof?
Significant moss overgrowth can shorten the “already short lifespan” of wood and asphalt by nearly half if continuing maintenance and sealing and/or frequent roof cleaning are not performed.
It’s this kind of contrast that makes metal the ideal material for regions prone to moss growth, such as highly wooded areas.
3. Wildlife proof
Did you realize that there have been several reports of wild animals ripping off asphalt shingles, shredding plywood, and infiltrating homes?
If you live in a thickly wooded region where raccoons and rodents can get onto your roof from a tree branch, you won’t need to worry about them destroying your metal roof and gaining access to your attic.
4. Fire retardant
Another advantage of a high-end metal roof is that it is fire resistant. The majority of high-end metal roofs have a Class A fire resistance certification. This can be especially beneficial for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas.
Metal roofs are also beneficial in areas where other sorts of extreme weather is widespread, such as Kansas, Oklahoma, and other areas where hailstorms are common.
Most professionally installed high-end metal roofs can resist wind speeds of up to 110 to 120 miles per hour, with several systems rated for considerably more wind uplift.
On the other hand, winds above 70 mph can destroy 3-tab asphalt shingles. Shingles can be damaged or even blown off the roof if they are not properly installed.
5. Recyclable
Metal is a long-lasting and environmentally friendly alternative to asphalt or cedar. Metal roofs can last up to three times longer than asphalt shingles and require less upkeep.
Additionally, at least 30% (sometimes more) of the material used to construct a metal roof is often made from recycled material. Metal is an environmentally beneficial roofing option because of its exceptional resilience and long lifespan.
6. Saves energy
Metal roofs can save energy costs by limiting the amount of heat that your house can absorb.
Even the most energy-efficient metal roofs will absorb some of the sun’s heat during the day, but unlike asphalt, they will quickly release it once the sun sets.
Metal cools far more quickly than asphalt. By reflecting solar radiation and any collected excess heat back into the atmosphere, a metal roof can effectively keep a house cooler in hot climates.
7. Protects your roof from ice damage
Metal roofs can help keep your home cool in the summer, but they can also bring significant benefits in the winter. For many households, ice dams are a major issue.
An ice dam can cause a roof leak, but it can do it quietly, causing a homeowner to be unaware of the problem for months!
Ice dams form when there is insufficient insulation under the roof, in the attic space, and in the roof ventilation system.
When an attic has inadequate insulation, hot air can ascend through the house and into the attic area, where it can become trapped beneath the roof deck (because of poor attic venting). This trapped heat eventually warms the roof deck, melting the snow that has accumulated on top.
The melted water starts to stream down the roof slope, refreezing along the colder eaves and forming an ice dam.
An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms along a roof’s eaves. As the snow melts, it runs down towards the eaves, adding to the ice wall.
The water will be trapped once there is enough ice along the eaves. It won’t be able to run off the roof, so it’ll be pushed back under the shingles, potentially leaking into the house.
Installing a metal roof can prevent all of this.
Metal roofing can assist prevent snow and ice from building up on the roof, preventing ice dams from forming.
8. Curb appeal
Other important advantages of having a metal roof include its unique attractive appearance, which can help improve curb appeal, as well as metal’s ability to keep your home cooler in the summer and help minimize and prevent heavy snow build-up and ice dam issues during the winter, especially if you live in the snow country.
9. Insurance savings
Because of its better durability, lifespan, and fire-retardant features and ratings, a metal roof can also help you save money on your homeowner’s insurance.
For properties protected by an approved metal roofing system, some homeowner’s insurance companies may offer a 30 percent to 35 percent discount on homeowner’s insurance coverage.
It’s difficult to place a price on your peace of mind knowing that your roof is safeguarding your home and family. Knowing that your roofing system is built to offer your home and family with long-lasting, weatherproof protection is a valuable asset, especially if you live in a storm-prone or fire-prone location.
Cost
Finally, despite all the advantages, there is one significant disadvantage to choosing a metal roof: the greater initial investment cost.
Many homeowners may be hesitant to invest in a metal roof because the initial investment would be more than a more traditional option, like asphalt shingles.
This makes sense if you’re buying a roof for a house or building where you’ll just be living for a few years (5 years or fewer).
However, if you intend to live in your home for a long time, it’s worth weighing the cost of a metal shingle roof against the overall cost of all the asphalt roof replacements you’ll likely need to pay for during your time there.
How to manage the cost
If the initial investment cost is a significant barrier, such as finance concerns and/or because you are purchasing a roof for a business or an outbuilding of some kind, it may be worthwhile to investigate a lower-cost metal roofing alternative such as corrugated or ribbed metal roofing.
Important Maintenance Tips for Metal Roofing Materials
