Print this page

The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing

Written by Posted On Thursday, 12 April 2018 14:32

A lot of homeowners these days have been weighing their options in terms of their roofing materials, and this is partly because there are so many homes with asphalt roofs that were built in the 1990s that now need to be replaced. Asphalt roof repair is going to continue to be a booming business at least for the next 10 years or so as more and more homes need to get the proper repairs done for safety purposes.

But in 2018 homeowners are starting to wise up to the asphalt roofing industry and consider a really economical alternative: metal roofing. We’re going to be discussing everything that you need to know about metal roofing in this article by diving into the pros and cons, and this information will undoubtedly give you a better idea as to whether or not you should go ahead and make this kind of roofing decision.

First of all, let’s put it this way: if you are trying to give your home a little bit more curb appeal and an added value then metal roofing is an incredible option. Homeowners everywhere are trying to do their very best at making their homes a little bit unique, and your roofing material is an easy way to do this kind of architectural innovation. We’re very lucky to have teamed up with a sheet metal Maui specialist who helped provide all of this information, and we know that by the end of this article you’ll know whether or not you want a metal roof for your home.

So first let’s look at the pros of metal roofs!

Benefits of Metal Roofing 

Life Expectancy

A metal roof should always be able to last as long as the house lasts, which cannot be said for asphalt roofing tiles, and metal roofs will always be incredible at doing what roofs do, which is sealing out water, surviving treacherous weather conditions, and shedding snow when necessary. Metal roofs are also very resistant to fires, as well as insects and other types of rotting issues. Most metal roofing companies will have great warranties too, around 20 to 50 years long, and 30 years for paint finishes.

Overall Weight

Metal roofs are so much lighter than other types of roofing material alternatives to asphalt, and it typically weighs in around 50 to 150 pounds per square. Sometimes metal roofs don’t even require that the existing roof be torn off, and they essentially can be applied right over an existing roof. This helps make metal roofs an economical decision for homeowners.

Installation Speed and Ease

The panels that metal roofs come in also make the installation process pretty seamless, and any good contractor can make sure that these roofs are installed quickly and efficiently. The lightweight features can also help you save a ton of money in terms of engineering and other support.

Resistant to Fire

Metal roofs are always going to be the most fire resistant types of roofing materials, and that’s because they are noncombustible. But that of course is a little different when a metal roof is installed on top of an existing combustible roof, but for the most part these roofs have a Class A fire rating.

Heating & Conduction

One benefit of metal roofs is that they refract the sun’s rays and minimize the effects of hot days, and that means you can definitely save a lot of money on air conditioning. Also, many contractors will use a dead-air space to help make the roof more energy efficient during cooler months as well.

Rain and Snow Shedding

Metal roofs are the best when it comes to rain and snow because of the structure of the panels and how slippery they are in general.

Drawbacks to Metal Roofing

Cost

The initial cost of metal roofs is considered a drawback, and that’s mainly because it will cost a lot more to install than say asphalt roof tiles. But when it comes down to it these roofs have more durability, and you’ll end up saving more if you stay in the house for a long time, but if you move within a few years you won’t see the ROI.

Noise

Some people like the sounds of rain tapping on a metal roof, while others don’t like it all and find it rather distracting. When there’s a really big rainstorm or hailstorm, it can be kind of intense living underneath a metal roof because of the noises. You can of course control these sounds by utilizing some other materials and create structural barriers to minimize these sounds, and using some insulation too. So the sound shouldn’t be a deal breaker because it can easily be solved.

Dents

Hailstones can potentially dent metal roofs if they’re big enough, but the best metal roofs will never dent.

Chipping and Care

When you paint a metal roof there is a potential that it can fade or chip away after a long period of time, even when these painted roofs are guaranteed to last at least 30 years. Panels have to be treated with the utmost care during the installation process as well to help avoid this situation.

Lightning

A lot of people have this notion that metal roofs are potential lightning rods, but this isn’t the case at all. BUT if you are a little bit concerned about this any metal roof can be easily grounded through the work of a lightning protection company.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Joseph Wirth

Latest from Joseph Wirth

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries