Whether you’re in the market for a new roof for your business or your home, there are a few different materials available. A popular choice for roofing systems is metal roofing. Metal roofing has really come full circle during the past century. From being a popular roofing material in the early 20th century to being replaced by cheaper roofing materials such as asphalt shingles during the past several decades, to emerging once again as the premier roofing system for commercial buildings and homes. The future looks bright for metal roofing and while there are several benefits (and disadvantages) to having a metal roof. However, in the end it’s all about your preference!
Advantages of metal roofs
Metal roofs offer many benefits, including:
- Longevity. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.
- Durability. Some metal roofs can sustain wind gusts up to 140 miles per hour, will not corrode or crack, and may be impact-resistant (depending on which metal you choose). In addition, metal roofs don’t need the periodic costly maintenance that other roofing materials often require. However, they should be inspected periodically to make sure no repairs are required.
- Safety. Metal roofs will not spark and ignite into flames during a wildfire or lightning strike.
- Energy efficiency. Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-25%.
- Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs not only have 25-95% recycled content, depending on the material used, but are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life as a roof. In contrast, most shingle tear-off waste ends up as part of the building-related waste stream up to 20 billion pounds per year.
Disadvantages of metal roofs
Despite their many advantages, metal roofs have some potential drawbacks.
- Affordability. Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials. While the life of a metal roof is much longer, investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.
- Noisiness. Metal roofs can be noisy, especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm. Adding more insulation during installation usually solves this problem, but that may increase costs.
- Expansion and contraction. Metal roofing materials that are attached as large panels tend to expand and contract. If they are not properly installed with fasteners that allow the metal to breathe, the panels may loosen.
- Inconsistency of color match. If a repair is required or a home extension is added years later, it may be difficult to find an exact match to the existing metal.
- Performance. If water accumulates anywhere on the roof because of poor-quality installation or repair, it can eventually cause serious damage. Low-grade metals may also be thinner and less durable. Some metals rust in certain climates or dent more easily than others during hailstorms or installation.
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Amazing, this article is informative and is very beneficial to all the readers. I appreciate this because I learned many things about the topic.
We are glad you found this helpful for you!
What you said about how metal roofs don’t ignite into flames during a lightning strike or wildfire was really interesting to me. I would think that it would be important to make sure that you have some kind of lightning rod on your roof even if you do have a metal one. A rod would make sure that the electricity is grounded which will keep all of the electrical appliances in your home safe.
A lot of people think that! Definitely interesting how it works.
I was surprised when you said that metal roofs with high-quality materials can last as long as 70 years. My sister and her husband want to have new roofing installed for their modern-style home before this summer. Your article should help them understand some of the benefits metal roofing could provide for them!
Metal roofs do last a long time! Thanks for passing this along.
It’s incredible that, depending on the type, metal roofs can survive 40 to 70 years. My hardwood roof is readily damaged, so I’m hoping to hire some metal roofers the following month. I appreciate you highlighting the advantages of metal roofs, and I can’t wait to have mine soon!
Nice job! You’re welcome!
It’s great that you talked about metal roofs and how they’re energy-efficient and long-lasting. We’re looking for the best materials for our home since we decided to build an eco-friendly one this year, so we think your insight will help us out. My wife and I are grateful for your advice on using metal roofing to help us reduce cooling costs in the future.
Just one of many benefits to metal roofing!
My sister noticed that the roof of her duplex has been deteriorating over the years, and it’s now reaching a point where it’s causing leaks and other issues. She’s looking to find a reliable roof replacement service to ensure her property is well-protected and to prevent any further damage. I hope she knows that from being a common roofing material in the early 20th century to being superseded by less expensive roofing materials like asphalt shingles over the course of the following few decades, metal has once again emerged as the best roofing system for homes and commercial structures.
We are sorry to hear about your sister. Metal is still one of the best roofing materials out there!