Metal roofs can be up to two to three times more expensive than other roofing materials, but they also have a much longer lifespan. Investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits. Are you curious to know why this building material has won over so many homeowners? Read on to find out the full list of advantages and disadvantages of metal roofs. Traditional asphalt shingles are derived from petroleum and, as such, increase dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition, they must be replaced every 15 to 20 years, resulting in nearly 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles being shipped to U. S. landfills annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The money spent on installing a metal roof can be recovered from savings in monthly cooling and heating costs due to the reflective properties of this type of roof. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat instead of absorbing it, which year-round, but especially during long summer days, can reduce cooling costs by up to 25 percent, according to the Metal Roofing Alliance.
In addition, some metal roofs are coated with special reflective pigments to minimize heat gain, keeping occupants comfortable without having to turn on the air conditioner. Seven out of 10 homeowners who live under metal roofs designed theirs with the traditional construction of vertical corrugated panels or “vertical joints”, but metal roofs also have no shortage of style options. Fans of more traditional profiles can opt for a metal tile made to look like wooden slats, slate or clay tiles, or any number of other designs. Metal doesn't have to stick out like a sore thumb to do its job; rather, it can mimic just about any look with multi-layer factory finishes that ensure its look is not only beautiful, but also durable and durable. Most metal roofs applied to a combustible material, such as wood shingles, have a lower class C rating for this reason. There are times when a metal roof is a no-brainer, when it could go in any direction, and other times when it's a horrible idea. Your home should be designed so that the individual parts of the house work together with the look and functionality of the metal roof.
Then, after analyzing the benefits and disadvantages, we'll take a deeper look at whether a metal roof is right for your home. While asphalt can offer 15 to 20 color options, modern metal roofs come in more than 100 different colors, including standard, premium, and custom hues. In ski areas known for heavy snowfall, metal roofs are usually equipped with snow protectors, metal or plastic clips, or even horizontal bars mounted on sturdy supports. If you plan to stay in your home for less than 15 years, a metal roof may not be a big investment. In addition, since most metal roofs are reflective, they draw heat from the sun away from the building they cover, blocking heat and reducing cooling costs. Here are some of the most common metal roofing materials and how much it costs to buy and install them. The fear of a lightning strike can be an imaginary problem, but metal roofs have some genuine drawbacks.
Once they reach that point, although the roof can continue to be protected and functioning against inclement weather, it seems that it is in its last stretch. Unlike an asphalt shingle roof or timber shingle roof or most other roofing materials, metal roofs are a material that few roofers are trained and experienced in installing. However, noise can be controlled by using quality materials that have structural barriers to minimize the effect of drums, applying the metal to sound-dampening insulation and a solid plywood cladding and placing an attic between the ceiling and the rooms whenever possible. You should be very careful when walking on most metal roofs both to avoid damaging or denting the roof and to prevent it from slipping. However, if you could afford a Lexus or a Mercedes would it be worth spending the extra money? When I sell my car which vehicle will have the best resale value? A metal roof is the same principle.
