Discover how upgrading to a metal roof can elevate your home's efficiency and aesthetic appeal. If you’re considering a metal roof, then here’s what you need to know.
The Benefits of A Metal Roof
Metal roofs offers a plethora of benefits, making it a superior choice for homeowners. Its durability is unmatched, withstanding extreme weather conditions and resisting fire, mildew, insects, and rot. The longevity of metal roofs is impressive, often lasting as long as the house itself, with life spans of 40-100 years.
Energy efficiency is another advantage; metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs by 10-25%. Additionally, metal roofs are environmentally friendly, made from up to 95% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable at the end of their life. Finally, they enhance curb appeal, providing a sleek and modern look that can increase home value.
Aside from the functional benefits, metal roofs come in a variety of styles and colors. They can mimic traditional roofing materials like shingles, slate, or tile without the associated maintenance. Moreover, they provide peace of mind with their safety features, being non-combustible and providing protection against lightning strikes.
When it comes to insurance, many homeowners enjoy lower premiums due to the metal roof's durability and fire resistance.
All these benefits make metal roofing a smart investment for the long-term protection and enhancement of your home.
Types of Metal Roofs: Finding Your Perfect Match
The variety of metal roofing options allows homeowners to select the ideal match for their home's architecture and personal style. When picking out a metal roof, the most important factors to consider are materials and fasteners/design.
Metal Roof Materials
The most common materials for metal roofs are galvanized steel, aluminum, and copper.
Steel
Steel is highly durable and the most affordable metal roof option. Steel thickness is commonly measured using a system called gauge, where a lower gauge number corresponds to a thicker steel sheet. As you might have guessed, lower-gauge steel is more expensive, so you simply need to pick the material that fits best within your budget. We install steel roofs ranging from 22-gauge to 26-gauge thickness.
One drawback of galvanized steel is its tendency to rust over time. You should especially take this into consideration if you live in an area prone to more extreme weather. For example, I wouldn't advise installing a galvanized steel roof if you live anywhere near the ocean. You probably don't want to take on the maintenance of dealing with galvanized steel.
Aluminum
Aluminum roofs are a popular choice for residential properties due to their combination of durability, lightweight nature, and resistance to corrosion. Aluminum is highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making it an excellent option for homes in coastal areas with salty air or regions with high humidity. Aluminum roofs are an excellent product, but they can be nearly twice as expensive as their steel counterparts.
Copper
While less common, due to its high cost (3-4 times more expensive than steel), copper is a unique and high quality metal roofing material. Copper is the most durable metal roofing material and it requires little to no maintenance. Copper roofs are most often noticed for their unique aesthetic, as they develop a green film on the surface of the material over time because of oxidation.
While many people do like the look of the copper, it's not for everyone, especially considering how costly the material and installation costs are. But they can last up to 100 years!
At Evergreen, we want to make sure you know all your options, and we strive to help you work within your budget. We can walk you through all of the material options for your metal roofing project.
Metal Roofing Fasteners
Just like as[halt shingles, metal roof panels and tiles need to be fastened to the roof decking. In general, there are 2 options to consider here.
The most cost effective option is an exposed fastener. With this style of metal roof, the screws or bolts that attach to the roof deck are visible throughout the entire roof (pictured below). Exposed fastener roof systems are cost effective because they are very easy to install. However, some people don't like the look of exposed hardware, and this roof system also requires more maintenance. It's recommended that homeowners check the fasteners periodically to inspect them for rust and tightness.
The most popular style for residential metal roofs is standing seam, which feature continuous panels that run from the ridge of the roof to the eaves (gutters) with seams between them connected by fasteners. With these roof systems, all of the fasteners are hidden, producing a sleek modern look (pictured below).
Metal Roofs & Common Misconceptions
Aren't Metal Roofs Loud?
I've certainly experienced the loud clanging of raindrops against the surface of a metal roof, but all metal roofs aren't necessarily loud. My experiences with loud metal roofs are all associated with commercial buildings. In reality, residential metal roofs aren't normally that loud at all. At Evergreen, when we install a metal roof, we ensure the roof decking is solid and covered in high quality synthetic underlayment. This ensures that your metal roof will insulate noise just as well as our asphalt roofing systems.
Is Lightning More Likely to Strike My Metal Roof?
The short answer is no. A metal roof does not inherently increase the likelihood of being struck by lightning. Lightning strikes are influenced by a variety of factors, including the height of the building, its location, and the presence of taller structures nearby.
If your home were to be struck, metal roofs are actually equipped to handle lightning more efficiently than other roofing materials. Metal is an excellent conductor of electricity, which means that if a metal roof is struck by lightning, the electrical charge will be conducted away from the building. This can help minimize potential damage to the roof and the structure of the building itself.
Installation Insights: What to Expect from Evergreen's Experts
The installation of a metal roof is a critical process that requires precision and expertise. Evergreen Construction & Roofing prides itself on its team of skilled professionals who are trained to handle the complexities of metal roofing. The process begins with a thorough inspection of your existing roof and a discussion about your specific needs and preferences (For example, some metal roofing options work better with lower-pitched roofs). Following this, the team will remove your old roof, prepare the roof deck, and install a high-quality underlayment to ensure a waterproof seal.
The installation process also involves precision cutting and fitting of the metal panels or shingles, securing them properly to withstand the elements. The team pays special attention to details such as the roof's edges, vents, and flashing to ensure everything is sealed and aligned correctly. Throughout the entire process, Evergreen's team maintains open communication with the homeowner, providing updates and ensuring the project is progressing smoothly. With Evergreen's expert installation, homeowners can rest assured that their metal roof will be installed with the highest standards of quality and durability.
If you're interested in pursuing a metal roof project, you can book a free estimate and consultation here.