Metal Roofs 101: Are They Worth It or Not?
While roof styles have changed over the years, metal roofing is becoming more popular with homeowners again. Metal roofing can be used on a wide range of home styles. For today’s homeowners, metal shingles can look like wood, stone, or clay because manufacturers can now make metal shingles, shakes, and slate that look like other types of roof materials.
In the past, metal roofs were very different. Today, they are very different from what they were. For the last 100 years, when you think of metal roofs, you’d think of things like barns or utility sheds. However, thanks to modern metal production techniques, the homeowner can now buy roofs that match almost any style of home, from Cape Cod to colonial to modern.
There are both good and bad things about having a metal roof. This guide is meant to help you figure out which one is best for your home. Let’s start now!
Materials Used for Metal Roofs
They make copper, steel, or aluminum metal roofs for homes. Metallic paint is put on 24- or 26-gauge steel sheets to protect them from corrosion. Then, they get a baked-on finish. Aluminum sheets don’t need a metallic coating, but they do need to be painted. Copper, which is sometimes called a “natural metal,” doesn’t need to be coated or painted because it doesn’t rust.
Zinc or a mix of aluminum and zinc is used to coat steel roofing products. Coats that protect your metal roof depend on how thick they are. The thicker the coating, the longer the roof will last. There is, of course, a price to this, too.
Different Types of Finishes
There are a ton of different finishes for metal roofs, like powder coating. This is a new method that is both more environmentally friendly and very durable and strong. As soon as it has been treated, they can install it as interlocking panels with hidden fasteners, just like any other type of roof. This is the best part. If you’re looking at it from the ground, you can’t even tell the difference between a traditional roof and one made of shingles or tiles because they look like them.
Standing-seam metal roofs, which are long sheets of painted steel with vertical seams, are ideal for the modern home design. They are also very durable. Stone-coated roofs get an acrylic coating with stone granules in them, giving them a slightly less metallic look.
What are the benefits of metal roofs?
People who live in homes with metal roofs enjoy a lot of advantages that help them get more from their homes. Let’s talk about some of the best things about installing metal roofing.
Styles, Patterns, & Designs In Metal Roofs
Many different styles, patterns, and designs of metal roofing give the homeowner a lot of choices when it comes to getting a new roof for their home. There are a lot of different preferences in different parts of the country, and metal can go with them all. They can make a metal roof that fits no matter where you live, what the weather is like, or what style you like.
There are a lot of styles of metal roofs that are perfect for any home or neighborhood. In fact, they can look just as good, if not better, than slate, tile, standing seam vertical panels, or cedar shake roofs, and they can even look better than them.
How about Durability and Longevity?
There is no other type of roof that is more durable or lasts longer than a metal roof. For example, asphalt roofs may need to be re-roofed every 12 to 20 years, but most metal roofs come with a 30 to 50-year warranty.
People who live in a place where there is a lot of rain and sun will see the roof of their house fall apart in a few years. Metal will not. These other types of roofing aren’t as strong as a metal roof, which is the best way to protect your home from storms. It doesn’t matter how strong concrete tile looks, because it freezes quickly in the winter and breaks down.
Long-Term Value: Is it worth the investment?
The most significant advantage of installing a metal roof is its long-term worth. A metal roof system will protect your most significant investment–your home–for years to come due to its durability. As a result, a metal roof will cost you more than a typical asphalt system. However, it costs roughly the same as a tile or shakes and is less expensive than a slate roof. While these types of roofs will look nice when first erected and for a few years afterward, only a metal roof will last for 30-50 years, saving you money.
When you consider all of the maintenance expenditures you’ll save, a metal roof is a no-brainer. All you have to do is hose it down or power wash it every now and then, and it’s good to go. With a metal roof, you can save time, concern, and money in the long run.
Metal Roofs are Money Savers!
When you install a metal roof, you will save money on heating and cooling in addition to upkeep. Metal roofs provide the highest insulation for your home, keeping you warm regardless of the weather outside. Light-colored metal roofing will reflect the sun’s damaging UV rays, keeping your home at a comfortable temperature all year. In contrast, when the sun’s UV rays strike an asphalt roof, it deteriorates.
Keeping That Insurance Bill Down As Well
While the initial cost of a metal roof may be significantly higher than that of an asphalt roof, it will save you money in the long run. In addition to the above-mentioned long-term savings benefits of a metal roof, you will also save money on insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners who install metal roofing.
This is because you will most likely never have to re-roof your property again. When you consider all of the savings from asphalt roof replacements, maybe two within the normal homeownership term, it’s clear that a metal roof is a wise investment. Furthermore, metal roofs give extra protection for your property, which insurance providers consider when calculating your homeowner’s insurance cost.
Are Metal Roofs Sustainable?
Asphalt is created, utilized, and changed on a regular basis since it is a less expensive and more replaceable material. This means that over 20 billion pounds of shingles are disposed of in landfills around the country each year. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are rarely in need of replacement and are typically comprised of recycled materials.
Steel roofs are made up of 56% recycled material from production to installation to reuse, making them significantly more environmentally friendly than asphalt roofs. Furthermore, they may frequently put a metal roof over your existing roof without removing it. Metal roofs, due to their higher insulation qualities, can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
If you have any questions give us a call today at (636) 699-0449 or request your free inspection today. You can also follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. If you’re in the St. Charles County area and looking for an experienced roofing and siding contractor, we are bringing forth over 20 years of experience in the roofing industry. That’s something you can trust and especially if we’re in your neck of the woods.