Post on 19-Feb-2017
Metal roofing has been around for a long time but it has been overshadowed by more popular options like asphalt shingles. Now that you’re looking for a replacement, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore your options and get to know what metal roofing can do for you and your home.
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW?
For starters, metal roofing has come a long way. From simple corrugated sheets of metal, the roofing material is now available in a number of forms, successfully mimicking a variety of other roofing materials while doing away with their weaknesses. Like the appearance of tile? Want to retain the look of shingles for your home? No problem. Just because you’re using a metal roof doesn’t mean that your home has to look like a barn or a shed. Metal roofing prides itself in offering the best in form and function, ensuring that your new roof doesn’t only protect your home well but that it also does so in style.
POPULAR OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Steel
Lightweight but durable, steel is the most popular of metal roofs around. It’s typical for steel roofing to come in a coated or colored finish, which helps it offer superior resistance against corrosion, a problem common with metals.
PART 1: WHY IT’S TIME FOR METAL
Aluminum
Like steel, aluminum metal roofing comes supplied with colored finishes. The material doesn’t age well on its own and colored finishes take care of that problem, while also boosting aluminum’s anti-corrosion properties. In fact, it offers better corrosion resistance than steel, making it ideal for use in coastal areas. Aluminum is also easy to form, allowing homeowners to use it exactly as they wish.
Copper
Unlike steel and aluminum, copper looks better as it ages. It is naturally allowed to weather so finishes are not applied over it. However, even without protective coating, copper easily resists corrosion, allowing it to withstand the elements on its own. The only drawback is that copper’s natural beauty and durability comes at a steep price.
All of these materials come in shakes, shingles, and panels. Custom profiles are also available too so don’t hesitate to talk to your local contractor about the kind of metal roofing that will be suitable for your home.
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So far, you’ve learned that metal roofing blends form and function well. In the next part, we’ll discuss further what the roofing material can do for you
by talking about its advantages. Read on for more!
PART 1: WHY IT’S TIME FOR METAL
Thanks to technological advancements, metal roofing has developed into a roofing option that addresses many of the concerns homeowners have, combining form and function to be a worthy roof replacement. More and more people are realizing what metal roofs have to offer but still many are sidelined by misconceptions they have about the roofing option. As we talk about the advantages of metal roofing, hopefully these misconceptions melt away, revealing what it is truly capable of.
METAL ROOFING: THE ROOF TO HAVE
Why? Here are a number of reasons:
It offers ultimate protection from harsh elements.
In fact, metal roofing is rated to withstand 120-mph winds, the equivalent of an F2 tornado. This means that high winds accompanying hail and rain will be no match to a properly installed metal roof, even when the roofing option is a lightweight material.
It can be made to look like other roofing materials.
This means you get to enjoy the strength and durability of metal with the appearance of wood, stone, or clay, if you so choose.
It has superior longevity.
It can last two to three times longer than the usual roof, going anywhere between 40 and 60 years. An asphalt roof, on the other hand, typically averages 12 to 20 years.
PART 2: THE ADVANTAGES OF A METAL ROOF
It is energy-efficient.
It naturally reflects heat and quickly loses what it does absorb, keeping heat transferred to your home to a minimum. This prevents indoor temperature from wildly fluctuating, which forces your HVAC system to work doubly hard to keep you comfortable. An overworked HVAC system guzzles energy, resulting in a massive electricity bill for you.
It is highly resistant to fire.
Metal is not flammable and non-combustible, meaning it won’t catch fire even when hit by lightning. Not that a metal roof attracts lighting. Instead, lightning seeks out the highest object in an area, which is antennas, poles, and towers are commonly hit.
It is made of recyclable material.
Metal roofs contain 30% to 60% recycled content, reducing trash dumped in landfills. This lets you do your bit for the environment while enjoying a roof you can rely on for years.
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These advantages make a metal roof a great choice for a replacement. Should you decide to get one, make sure you make the most out of your investment by knowing how to care for it. Head on over to the last part of this blog series to learn more.
PART 2: THE ADVANTAGES OF A METAL ROOF
Thanks to how metal is simply built, metal roofing is able to provide one of the best levels of protection available in the market today. But while the roofing material is naturally sturdy, allowing it to withstand a range of attacks from the elements, it is not invincible. Eventually, damage will pile up and when it does, you’re going to have a problem. Fortunately, you can avoid all that trouble by knowing how to specifically care for metal roofing.
A RULE OF THUMB
An integral part of caring for a metal roof is making sure that maintenance tasks are carried out regularly. It is up to you to decide on specific dates but do schedule routine checks. Metal roofing is tough, so thorough examinations once or twice a year will suffice, unless an extreme weather event occurs. When severe weather hits, make it a point to check your metal roof immediately after it passes so you can assess damage as soon as possible and act accordingly. Some of the things that should always be checked for during routine maintenance include: sealant failure, damaged or loose panels and fasteners, snow or hail damage, damaged surface coating, and clogged gutters.
PART 3: CARING FOR A METAL ROOF
OTHER MAINTENANCE TASKS
Repainting
Make sure you use acrylic latex paint when repainting your roof. Brushing on primer before you apply roof paint is also recommended as paint will adhere better to the primer, making it last longer. Copper roofs generally don’t need repainting because they develop a natural patina.
Repairs
Address holes or open seams to prevent moisture from seeping into your roof. You can use roofing cement to plug up small holes but if they’re big enough to be noticeable, you have to patch your roof, using the same kind of metal to do so.
Replacements
Replace all loose parts and portions to maintain the integrity of your roof. If fastener gaskets are starting to fail, replace them. If sealant at the seams have started to thin out, reapply to replace what has been lost due to wear and tear.
The best thing about caring for a metal roof is that you can entrust the responsibility to a local roofing contractor. They have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience so they’ll know right away what to look for and what must be done to keep your metal roof in top shape at all times.
PART 3: CARING FOR A METAL ROOF