Friday, April 19, 2024
HomeMetalWhy Are Metal Roofs Better

Why Are Metal Roofs Better

You Might Not Need To Remove Your Existing Roof

Shingle Roof VS Metal Roof – What Roof is Better???

Depending on your local building codes, you may be able to save money on the installation of a new metal roof by having it installed directly over existing asphalt shingles. This process cuts down considerably on the cost of labor since theres no time spent removing the shingles, and is compatible with the installation of a strapping system. Just be sure to have your current roof properly inspected before putting metal roofing over it so that youre not trapping in problems like moisture build-up or rodents.

Are Metal Roofs Good In Florida

According to recent estimates, Floridas population will grow beyond 22 million by 2022 and could grow toward 26 million by 2030. Other reports indicate that more than 900 people move to Florida every day. Seven of the 42 metro areas where new home construction is booming are located in Florida.

Are you considering a move to Florida? Regardless of whether you look to build a new home or buy an existing one, your choice of roof material is always important.

If you drive around Florida, especially on the coasts, you will see for yourself that metal roofs are gaining in popularity. Here are several reasons why:

Does A Metal Roof Need Gutters

The purpose of gutters is to funnel water off the roof and away from the structure. They prevent damage to the foundation from rain, sleet, or snow, which left to puddle up around the foundation can cause severe damage to the property. So, strictly speaking, no, your metal roofing does not require gutters, but the foundation of your house and the landscaping around will be protected with a gutter system installed.

Read Also: How Many Screws Per Square For Metal Roofing

Metal Roof With Gutters

All roofs require gutters of some kind, whether they are metal roofs, slate tile roofs, or asphalt composition shingle roofs. Without gutters, the water will simply run back along the eaves of the house, eventually making its way down the wall of the home and damaging the exterior of the house. Gutters for metal roofs are precisely as necessary, and install in the same fashion as other roofs.

Damaged Easily By Hail

Why Are Metal Roofs Better?

Another common misconception is that metal roofs are easily damaged by hail during a storm. When hail is large enough, it can damage any roof type, but metal roofing is structurally stronger. Asphalt shingles have weatherproofing granules that can be easily knocked off during a hailstorm. Most hail will not dent or damage metal roofing unless there are extreme conditions.

A metal roof is a major investment, so its important to look closely at the wide selection of styles and qualities. Deciding if a metal roof is the best choice for you can be easy for some and difficult for others. Doing your research and knowing what to look for can shorten the process and help you decide what type of roof may be best for you. With the right product and an experienced roofing company, a new metal roof can add to your homes beauty, comfort and value.

Achtens Quality Roofings dedicated and experienced team of estimators here to help answer any questions you may have. We have extensive knowledge of all types of roofing systems and can work with any budget you may have.

Don’t Miss: Add Overhang To Side Of House

Advantages Of Choosing Shingle Roofing

Economical in the Short Term As mentioned before, shingles are cheaper than metal roofing as a one-time cost , which appeals to a lot of homeowners. This fact alone accounts for the vast majority of shingle installs. For reference, please view the cost comparison above.

Easier to Install & Replace Shingles require less time and labor for both installation and replacement. Shingles come prepackaged and ready to be immediately nailed to the deck . With metal roofing, you have to handle finished panels that could be cumbersome, attach the metal panels to the decking using screws instead of a nail gun, connect the panels together, and finally install the flashing . All of this requires more time, labor, and skill on the part of the installer.

Less Expensive Repairs Going along with the ease of installation and replacement, shingles are also much easier and cheaper to fix in the event a failure occurs. Most shingles can be removed one at a time near the source of an issue and require fewer materials to fix. Metal roofing is more complex because the full-length panels are all connected together and more difficult to replace one at a time.

More Installers Shingles are relatively simple and easy to install, which is why there are more contractors who are able to install shingles than metal roofing. While its still important to find a qualified and experienced installer, its generally easier for consumers to find contractors who can install a shingle roof.

Metal Roof Vs Shingles: Cost

Asphalt shingles are undeniably affordable and easy to install. Metal roofs are more expensive and require specialized knowledge to install.

While it depends on the specific roofing product and where you live, the average cost of an asphalt-shingle roof is around $7,000 to $10,000, whereas the average cost of a metal roof is at least several thousand dollars more around $12,000 to $20,000. But keep in mind that metal roofing will last nearly three times longer and requires less repair.

Winner: Asphalt shingles in the short term. But if youre playing the long game, its metal all the way.

Don’t Miss: Travel Trailer Roof Repair Kit

Why Master Shake Roofing System Is The Best Steel Roofing System

Master Shake Roofing System is a custom-made roofing material that is of the highest quality metal in the roofing industry. Our roofing material is the strongest steel roof on the market, consisting of 26-gauge steel material. Our fastening and strapping standards are unique to the roofing industry, designed to create air flow and be more secure than other roofing materials and systems. In conclusion, when you have a roof installed by Master Shake Roofing System, youre getting the best. Contact one of our metal roofing dealers today for a free roofing estimate in your area!

Is Metal Roofing Noisy

Why you may want to consider installing a metal roof

Yes, it will probably be noisier than living beneath a thick slate or tile roof in a heavy rainstorm or hailstorm. But the idea of noise being a problem may be more myth than reality. It depends on construction.

Metal shouldnt be noisier than thinner materials such as asphalt or wood shingles. The fact is that rain and hail can drum on any thin membrane.

But noise can be controlled both by using quality materials that have structural barriers to minimize the drumming effect, by applying the metal over sound-deadening insulation and solid plywood sheathing, andwhere possibleby having an attic between the roof and your rooms.

Recommended Reading: Cost To Install Trusses

Can You Walk On A Metal Roof

Have you heard that you cannot walk on metal roofing? Well, whoever told you that was misinformed, because, depending on the style you choose, you can walk on metal roofing. You can walk on metal roofing with a less likely chance of damaging the roof than with ceramic tiles. Repeated foot traffic will cause damage to asphalt roofing before it will metal roofing. Even fifty years down the road, your metal roofing will hold up to foot traffic.

Metal Roofing Vs Asphalt Shingles

The initial cost of a metal roof exceeds other materials, such as asphalt, slate, or tile. Industry statistics estimate that the average cost per square foot is around $3.00, compared to asphalt at $1.50. However, metal offers improved strength and durability, and lower maintenance and energy costs over time. In fact, over a metal roofs lifespan, shingles can cost just as much, if not more.

We examine the SL-16® metal roof panel, as an example, to demonstrate how metal is a better overall investment. This snap-together roof system offers the look of traditional standing seams, with easy installation and low maintenance.

Recommended Reading: How To Add A Gable Overhang

Metal Roof Vs Shingles: Durability

Roof fixes and replacements are some of the most expensive homeowner repairs. The more durable the roof, the better your chances of warding these off. In areas with extreme weather especially, the roof type you choose is crucial.

Constant thermal cycling weathers asphalt shingles, reducing their lifespan. Because asphalt is absorptive, water can enter, freeze and dry, causing its structure to break down.

Metal roofs, however, are non-absorptive. Plus, theyre engineered and installed with fastening clips or slotted screw holes that allow for thermal movement of the metal with temperature changes without breaking down over time, according to Classic Metal Roofing Systems President Todd E. Miller. That means that in any climate, metal roofs have an average lifespan of 50 to 70 years, versus 20 to 25 years for asphalt shingles.

Winner: Metal roofing.

Metal Roofing Is Lightweight

We Answer: Which is Better, a Metal Roof or Shingles ...

Metal roofing weighs from 1 to 3 pounds per square foot, depending upon the thickness and profile of the material. It is one of the lightest of all roofing materials. By comparison, here are typical weights of other roofing materials:

  • Conventional asphalt shingles from 2 to 3.5 pounds per square foot
  • Textured asphalt shingles from 3.5 to 5 pounds per square foot
  • Wood shingles and shakesfrom 3.5 to 4.5 pounds per square foot
  • Clay or concrete tile5.5 to 10 pounds per square foot

Because metal roofing is lightweight, you can save on the engineering and building of the supporting structure. In fact, if youre building a new house or a new addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members because of metal roofings light weight.

You May Like: How To Extend A Metal Roof Overhang

Do Metal Roofs Need Maintenance

As an excellent, long-lasting option for buildings, metal roofs give owners a well-deserved sense of security. That doesnt mean that metal roof owners can rest on their laurels, however. All roofs need maintenance, even metal roofs. Regular inspections are the ideal method of confirming roof integrity. Inspectors check for signs of distress caused by movement and damage from the elements. Panels can shift, fasteners can loosen, seals, gaskets, and surface coatings can fail especially in areas susceptible to hail and high winds. Dont sleep on regular roof maintenance.

Why Do Metal Roofs Provide Better Roof Protection

Why do you think that many use metal roofs over other roofing products? It is because the asphalt shingles and roof tiles provide minimal protection than the metal roofing. Good roofing sheets must protect the house or the industry from every disaster and calamity. Thus, many choose metal roofing as an ideal roof for their home. However, some still think that metal roofing can increase the temperature inside the house significantly. But in reality, metal sheets are used in Western countries, especially during the winter, because of their incredible roofing characteristics. You should not be surprised by knowing that metal roofing provides an excellent roofing solution and the best option for winter. Hence, in this post, let us see why metal roofs provide better roof protection.

Protection against hail and wind:

Winter protection:

Reliable wind guard:

You need to safeguard yourself from the howling wind during stormy days. Shingles and tiles can peel off during the strong winds, whereas the metal sheets stay in place. Do you even know that a standing seam roof is designated for a hurricane that blows over 90mph? Thus, you need not worry about the ice dam or roof avalanche impacts. Hence, metal roofs provide better peace of mind which the winds are rolling in. You can always purchase the standing seam roof from the JSW roofing sheet dealer in Chennai with high quality.

You May Like: Install Ondura Roof Panels

Fire Safety: Metal Reduces Fire Risks

Metal roofing stands up to hail. In the most widely accepted hail-resistance test, a steel ball is dropped to simulate the effects of hails impact on roofing materials. Metal roofs pass U.L. 2218 at Class IV. This is the highest rating! As a result, in many hail-prone areas, homeowners with metal roofing can receive insurance premium discounts. Another significant benefit of metal roofing is that it resists hail, even after many decades. Other roofing materials become more susceptible to hail damage as they age.

As you can see, there are several benefits of metal roofing for homeowners, and our experts at McCarthy Metal Roofing can help.

Some Actual Disadvantages To Metal Roofs

Shingle Vs Metal Roof Questions And Answers

Fear of lightning strikes may be an imaginary problem, but there are a few genuine disadvantages to metal roofs.

The one disadvantage that poses an actual safety risk is the fact that metal roofs are indeed slippery when wet or when covered with snow. It is never a good idea to climb on a metal roof when it is moist or covered with snow. They are so slippery that snow “avalanching” off the roof is a definite hazard in areas that experience heavy snowfalls in winter.

There are some advantages to this, since snow that slips off the roof can’t build up on top of it. People owning asphalt-shingled homes in heavy snow areas may need to rake snow off their roofs in winter, but this is never an issue on a home with metal roofs. But it is also possible for snow to avalanche off a metal roof in such quantities that it can damage decks, shrubs, cars, or even people.

In ski areas notorious for heavy snowfalls, metal roofs are often equipped with snow guardsmetal or plastic clips or even horizontal bars mounted to sturdy brackets. Homeowners can employ the same technology to prevent avalanches from the roofs of their homes.

Recommended Reading: Roof Cost California

Why Metal Roofs Are Better Than Shingle Roofs

The vast majority of homeowners have shingle roofs. Shingle roofs are usually made of a combination of materials: asphalt, fiberglass, sealant, and granules. Since the materials are cheap, a shingled roof is usually the best economical option for homeowners as a shingle roof does the job and lasts between 12 and 15 years.

However, a metal roof is superior to a shingle roof due to the nature of the material. The advantages to metal roofs are numerous:

  • Metal roofs are durable, able to handle wind gust of up to 140 miles per hour. Metal roofs resist impacts, wont crack or corrode, and are low maintenance.
  • Energy efficient. Metal roofs reduce cooling costs up to 25 percent during the hot summer months because they can reflect twice as much of the suns heat. In the winter months, the air beneath a metal roof stays warmer, saving on energy costs as well.
  • Environmentally friendly. Metal roofs use 25 percent or more recycled content and are 100 percent recyclable at the end of their life.
  • Longevity. Metal roofs can last between 40 and 70 years, compared with 12-20 years for asphalt roofing materials.
  • Safety. Metal roofs wont ignite in a wildfire or lightning strike.
  • Metal Roofing Doesnt Catch Fire

    Because metal roof materials are noncombustible, they typically have a Class A fire rating . Flying sparks and embers will not set them on fire.

    Just be aware that part of a roofs overall classification depends on materials beneath the surface that could ignite in intense heat, too. Most metal roofs applied over a combustible material such as wood shingles have a lower, Class C rating for this reason.

    Don’t Miss: New Roof Cost California

    Metal Roof Vs Shingles: Maintenance

    Roof maintenance doesnt top anyones list of fun things to do, yet it must be done to ensure a roofs longevity.

    With asphalt shingles, most maintenance involves penetrations through the roof where adhesives, metal flashing and sealants are used. Those sealants deteriorate over time and therefore need to be replaced. And rubber pipe boots the flashings for plumbing pipes that come through the roof are also prone to break down and need attention or replacement.

    On a properly installed metal roof, penetrations are flashed with matching metal. If a sealant is used, its as the first line of defense, but the true water tightness comes from the flashing design and the way it channels water off of the roof, Miller says.

    On a metal roof, rubber pipe boots are often covered with metal to match the roof, not only for aesthetics, but to protect the soft rubber from the suns damaging rays. That lengthens its life considerably.

    Winner: Metal roofing. While maintenance costs for an asphalt shingle roof arent outrageous, a metal roof simply requires less.

    Making The Case For Shingle Roofs

    Tile vs Metal Roofing â which one is better?

    Asphalt shingles have long been the most common residential roofing material, largely due to their appearance and affordability. Shingles come in a variety of colors and textures, and some even resemble wood, which can add unique character to your home. Asphalt shingles are the traditional option for suburban areas, so if you live in the suburbs, choosing them will give your home uniformity with others in your neighborhood. Additionally, shingles are usually more cost-effective than other types of roofing as both the materials and installation tend to cost less.

    Read Also: How Do I Know If My Roof Is Leaking

    Advantages Of Installing A Metal Roof

    There are tons of advantages in opting for metal roofs. Among its many benefits include:

    1. Longevity

    Cost-effectiveness depends greatly on a product having a long lifespan. It is one of the major benefits of using metal roofing materials its proven performance and life expectancy is between 50-70 years and sometimes much more. Although, this is solely dependent on the type you go for and the weather regularly.

    2. Durability

    If the metal roof is installed properly, some metal roofs can resist wind guts that are up to 140 miles per hour. Besides that, it will not rust, neither will it have any crack. Also, it will be resistant to impacts as well as driving rain, snow, hail, ice, extreme cold, and high heat. Furthermore, metal roofs do not need the time-to-time maintenance that is always costly like other roofing materials. However, there should be constant checks to make sure that there is no required repair. You can learn more about HD Roofers on our

    3. Safety

    When you opt for metal roofing, rest assured of your safety in case of any wildfire or lightning strike. The roof will not ignite or spark a flame in such an occurrence.

    4. Energy Efficiency

    Metal roofs reflect the suns UV and infrared light rays that help the roof to surface radiance and, by so doing, reduce cooling costs to 10-25%.

    5. Environmentally Friendly

    Metal roofs do not only have 25-95% recycled content, but they are also 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan as a roof.

    7. Light Weight

    RELATED ARTICLES

    Most Popular