Metal Roofs Are Durable Enough To Outlast Your Solar Panels
Solar panels are extremely durable and can last for 25 to 30 years, which is part of what makes them such a great investment for your home. However, in many cases, this means that your solar panels can outlive your roof, which can result in an added expense. If your roof is aging, you have to replace it before installing solar panels, or incur the additional cost of removing and re-installing your panels when the time comes to replace your roof.
Metal roofs, on the other hand, are the most durable conventional roofing material available. If you have a metal roof on your home, it will likely last longer than the lifespan of your solar panels, which reduces expense and hassle in the long term.
Do I Need A New Roof Before I Put Solar Panels On
Whether you need a new roof for your solar panels depends on a few factors, but the main factor to consider is the condition of your current roof. Your roof should be fairly new and in good condition if youre going to install solar panels on it.
According to the National Association of Home Builders , asphalt shingle roofs by far the most popular roofing material last about 20 years. Of course, condition does not always directly correlate with age, so its important you know not only how old your roof is but also what sort of shape its in currently. Especially if your roof is more than five years old, you should consider having a professional evaluation done on your roof to help determine whether it is holding up well and is ready for solar panels.
If your roof is nearing the end of its projected lifespan or is in poor condition, then you are typically better off replacing it before installing solar panels. This ensures your roof will be able to support the solar panels, which weigh about the same as adding a second layer of shingles, and keeps you from having to pay to take down the panels when it comes time to replace the roof and reinstall them after the new roof goes on.
Can You Put Solar Panels On A Copper Roof
We’re getting more and more inquiries about the feasibility of solar panels on a copper roof. The answer is yes, it can be done. But our recommendation for those who considering copper diamonds, tiles, or shingles is to combine profiles so that the solar panels are mounted to panels. Here’s why.
Tile and shake profiles simply aren’t intended for repetitive foot traffic. While they can be walked on without significant damage – and indeed, the installer has to walk on them during installation – too much foot traffic could result in denting.
The traffic that comes with the installation and maintenance of a solar roof system could compromise the aesthetic of any metal roof, though its performance would likely not be affected.
Recommended Reading: How To Stop A Roof Leak Temporarily
Can Any Potential Leaks Cause Damage
It is rare that you will experience any leaks due to solar panel installation. In case any leaks do arise contact your installer to check whether the repair will be covered under warranty. The best way to prevent any post-installation leaks is to have a professional evaluation by an installer beforehand.
General Criteria For Installing Solar Panels
- Minimal impact on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area.
- Equipment should be immediately removed when you don’t need them any longer.
- You can’t install solar panels higher than the highest part of your building’s roof .
- Solar panels shouldn’t protrude more than 0.2 meters beyond your roof slope plane.
You May Like: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks
Solar Panels For Houses With Metal Roofs Are A Great Idea
If youre considering installing solar panels on your metal roof, the move is a wise one. In addition to being durable enough to handle panels without leaking or damage, metal roofs are even more efficient when paired with solar panels.
To learn more about metal roof solar mounts, contact Sandbar Solar today!
About the Author
Scott is the founder of Sandbar Solar & Electric. With a Bachelors Degree in Economics from UC San Diego, Scott has an NABCEP certification, and has lectured on and taught many high-tech construction practices and solar PV technical concepts to education institutions, including Stanford University and state-recognized electrician apprenticeship programs. Scott enjoys sharing his knowledge of the evolving renewable energy space and making a difference in his community.
Can You Install A Skylight On A Metal Roof
Yes, you can install skylights on a metal roof. Here are some things to consider before talking with your contractor.
Share This
Skylights are a beautiful and valuable option for bringing natural light into a home. And increasing numbers of homeowners are looking to metal roofing either as an accent that adds curb appeal or as a long-lasting roofing material. When it comes to installing skylights on a metal roof, many homeowners wonder if combining the two is possible. The answer is yes. Among their many benefits skylights are compatible with many roofing material types, including metal.
If youre thinking of re-roofing your home in metal, nows the time to start planning for skylights because adding skylights to an existing metal roof is much more difficult and costly to do. Start your planning process with these considerations.
What are the best types of skylights for metal roofs?
Both deck mounted and curb mounted skylights can be installed on metal roofs. Lets start with the VELUX No Leak deck mounted models FS, VS, VSE, VSS. Installed with the VELUX flashing system, these models are ideal for metal roofs since they qualify for the VELUX No-Leak warranty.
How do I install VELUX skylight flashing on a metal roof?
Watch the entire skylight installation process in this video showing the installation of EDM flashing on each of the three types of metal roofs mentioned above.
Tips for installing curb-mounted skylights on a metal roof
You May Like: How Much Should A Rubber Roof Cost
Is My Roof Compatible With Solar Panels
Whether youre thinking of installing solar panels on your current roof or re-roofing first, there are a few things to consider to make sure your roof will accommodate solar panels. The good news is most types of roofs are compatible with solar panels. However, roofs today arent usually installed with solar in mind, so you may have to make some adjustments to your current roof. Or, if youre installing a new roof, you can keep these factors in mind in order to optimize your new roof for a solar installation.
Besides the age and condition of a roof, the main aspects that affect its compatibility with solar panels are:
- Material
Lets take a quick look at each of these factors.
Batten Mounted Metal Shingles
These metal shingles are usually installed on a wooden lattice, called a batten, thats then attached to the roof. While putting solar on batten mounted metal shingles you should place the solar flashings between two layers of metal shingles. The shingles have to be removed to connect the mounting hardware with the roof, then the layers of shingles are put in place so that the attachment point can stick out. To prevent any leakages, a waterproof sealant is placed on all the joints.
Recommended Reading: How Much Is The Average Roof Cost
How Do I Choose The Solar Mounting System For My Project
Weve put together a series of questions in five categories to help evaluate whether your project would be best suited for railed or rail-less solar mounting. the quick guide version to use on your next project.
Interested in a specific category? Jump to the one you want to read first by clicking below.
How Are Solar Panels Installed On Metal Roof
Well this depends on the type of metal roof you are having, in India most houses and factories have corrugated metal roof.
For corrugated metal roof mounting rails are revited to the roof and then solar panels are mounted on it using end clamps and mid clamps.
If you have a metal roof other than corrugated metal roof you then I dont have much idea about it since I have not seen any other metal roof which has solar on it, but anyways I feel you will find mounting structure for almost any type of roof.
Key here is not the mounting structure but the installer. If the installer has worked on similar projects before, then he will find a way to install solar panels on almost any roof.
Read Also: How To Fix Gazebo Roof
What Our Clients Say
I ordered Roofit.solar roof, because I like the visual appearance of this solution. The solar cells inside roof panels are almost invisible. In the long run the price of a solar roof is even cheaper than regular roof because your roof generates electricity over time. My first experiences this summer are great: my solar roof created so much energy, that 20% we used ourselves in the household, but 80% sold back to the grid
Solar Roof owner from South East Estonia
My summer cottage roof has partially Roofit solar panels and partially traditional roof panels. I like the idea that my roof repays its own cost and it is an investment that does not disappear. Solar roof is a great alternative to conventional roof and as source of energy. In 5-10 years time when electric cars with reasonable price would be available, the roof will produce electricity for the car and the household. Definitely solar roof is good investment.
Solar Roof owner from North Estonia
I was happy to find out that Roofit.Solar roof is a modern solution suitable also to old and historical houses. The visual appearance of the house is important, so we chose the elegant solar roof panels. We have 1,85 kW as active part facing South-West and during first 3 months it produced 650 kWh. The roof is quiet, no problem with wind, rain and hail. As a nice surprise, the 45 degrees roof doesn’t need cleaning, the rain does it for us.
Solar Roof owner from South Estonia
Types Of Roofs With Solar Panels
There are several different roofing materials, and each poses its own set of advantages and drawbacks. Still, nearly every type of roof can accept solar panels.
Some of the most common types of roofs with solar panels include:
- Asphalt Shingle
- Stone
- Ceramic Tile
These roof types tend to be durable enough to withstand the additional weight and pressure of a mounted solar panel.
Most residential solar panels dont lie entirely flat against the surface of a roof. Instead, theyre mounted onto thick metal stands that allow them to sit at different angles. This helps them absorb as much sunlight as possible.
Sometimes, the mounts do hold the panels at a particular angle. Homes located in sunny environments may not need shifting panels, so a simpler stationary installation is often preferable.
That said, there are also peel-and-stick solar panels that could also be an excellent option for homeowners with non-traditional roofing. But for those with metal roofs, a standard mounted installation is likely the best route.
Don’t Miss: Do I Need A Permit To Replace My Roof
How Much Does It Cost To Install Solar Panels On A Roof
This actually varies greatly depending on the wattage of your system. Most homes in the United States will have systems that are between 3kW to 8kW in rating, with 6Kw being the most common. A typical system will cost between $2.50 to $3.50 to install, though some may charge extra due to the presence of metal roofing.
A typical solar panel is pretty large, often upwards of 400 square feet. This means that a typical installation can range between $9,000 to $28,000 depending on the wattage as well as the overall size of the panels. While the range itself is high, you can expect a price tag of around $19,000 for panels on a metal roof.
If the price of solar panels is intimidating, dont panic. They pay for themselves in both tax rebates as well as decreased electricity bills. In fact, many companies will even help you finance them. When in doubt, just ask what is available to you.
Metal Roofs Are No Problem For Solar Panels
As you can see, if you have a metal roof on your home or business, going solar is no problem. There are many products on the market that will allow you to mount solar panels.
In fact, metal roofs are the best type of roof to pair with solar panels. Because metal roofs have such long lifespans, thereâs much less of a chance of developing a roof leak that will require you to pay the extra cost of removing and reinstalling the solar panels.
And if you have a standing seam metal roof, thatâs the best situation of all because you can use a clamp system that doesnât put holes into your nice roof. This also reduces the installation labor and your system costs.
TAGS
Don’t Miss: What Causes Swollen Gums And Roof Of Mouth
Solar Roofing Flat And Metal Roofs With Integrated Solar Panels
In this article we will discuss solar roofing systems, which integrate roofing materials with solar PV panels or solar thermal systems. Specifically we will cover, metal roofs, PVC flat roofing membranes and asphalt shingles. Although most roof-mounted solar systems are installed on top of an existing roof be it an asphalt shingles roof or any type of flat roof these solar systems are not integrated into the roofing material, and therefore are not solar roofs.
Metal Roofs Are Durable Low Maintenance And They Look Great But Can You Mount Solar Panels On Them
The most common roofing material in the United States is asphalt shingles, and for good reason: theyâre inexpensive, durable, and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. But while theyâre less popular, metal roofs have a lot of advantages. If youâre a homeowner with a metal roof, you might wonder: can you install solar panels on them?
The answer is: yes! While the majority of solar homes have asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs are actually a better choice if youâre planning to go solar. This is because one of the main concerns with a rooftop solar installation is ensuring theres enough life left in the roof before putting panels on top of them. If a roof fails early, itâs an extra expense to remove the solar panels before the roof repair can proceed. But metal roofs last a really long time, making the age of the roof less of an issue.
How the solar panels are mounted will depend on the exact type of metal roof you have.
You May Like: Do Metal Roofs Prevent Ice Dams
Solar Panels Can Maximize The Cooling Benefits Of A Metal Roof
Homebuilders and contractors often tout the benefits of cool metal roofing to keep your home cool in the summer and reduce your energy use. Metal roofs reflect more sunlight than traditional black asphalt shingles, and some also have reflective paint to increase this effect. Installing PV solar panels can take your electric bill savings a step further simply by shading the roofs surface.
Solar Panel Clamps For Standing Seam Roofs
A standing seam metal roof is made of individual metal panels that are connected together with a crimped connection that stands vertical to the roof surface. This âstanding seamâ provides a handy mount point for solar racking.
Every manufacturer of solar racking will have a different design, but with a standing seam roof you can have a clamp that securely grips the seam without penetrating it. This is a great design because it means that you donât have to worry about permanently modifying the roof and creating entry points for moisture.
Hereâs an example of a clamp from the company S-5! . S-5! clamp for standing seam metal roofs
Also Check: How To Apply Roof Shingles
Metal Roofing Will Outlast Your Solar Panels
Its true. Your metal roof is more durable than any other conventional roofing material and that has clear benefits when it comes to installing solar panels. With each panel lasting up to 30 years, you need a roof that wont need repairs before then, resulting in the additional costs of dismounting and remounting solar panels. Metal roofing will outlast the life of your panels, reducing cost and hassle.
Other Vertical Seam Roofs
There are an endless variety of vertical seam roofs, hence solar companies produce various kinds of hardware to attach many of these. For example, SnapNrack manufactures attachment points that wont crush the metal below the hardware of your corrugated metal roof.
If you opt for a different vertical seam metal roof, there are chances someone is producing a solar attachment point for that. Make sure to ask your installer what you can find in the market!
Read Also: Can You Put Elastomeric Roof Coating Over Shingles
Metal Roofingthe Perfect Platform For Solar Pv
For the past four decades, in total, well over 2 billion square feet of metal roofing has been installed in the U.S. each year, and that number grows every year. Metal roofs are known for their durability, sustainability and versatility and are increasing in popularity in the solar marketplace.
Metal roofing is a natural choice for mounting solar PV as it provides an ideal platform and features a service life that actually exceeds the service life of a solar PV system.
Other Roofing Considerations When It Comes To Solar Power
Roof material is just one of the things your solar experts look at during the critical consultation stage of solar panel installation.
On top of materials, its also important to look at:
- Age and condition
- Angle and pitch
- Shade and exposure to sunlight
Each of these impact the success of your solar panels. As such, they need to be carefully accounted for!
Read Also: What Should Be In A Roofing Contract
