Whether you’re constructing a new home or your existing home’s roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, you can likely choose from many different roofing materials to complete the job. From asphalt shingles to clay tiles and metal roofing, each offers distinct benefits. With metal roofing being a hot topic in the roofing world these days, we’re going to dive into some of its biggest pros and cons below to help you understand metal roofing and decide if it’s the ideal choice for your home.
Great Durability
Metal is well-known to be a highly durable roofing material. It can withstand impacts as well as high wind gusts. Metal typically doesn’t show signs of wear and tear like other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. Metal roofs can be made of many strong metal materials including tin, zinc, copper, steel, and aluminum. Most metal roofs will have a Class Four impact-resistance rating, meaning they can withstand hail that is up to two inches in diameter. Furthermore, this type of roofing can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour.
Long Lifespan
While the specific quality of metal roofing that you purchase is going to have a large impact on its longevity, most metal roofing will last anywhere between 40 and 70 years. To put this in perspective, a typical shingle roof will only last between 15 and 20 years. There’s no doubt that metal will overall have a longer lifespan. In fact, many homeowner’s insurance policies will discount rates for homes with metal roofs due to longevity and fire resistance.
Energy Efficient
Another benefit of investing in metal roofing for your home is that it’s very energy efficient. Metal roofing naturally reflects UV rays from the sun instead of absorbing them. This can help prevent heat from entering your home during the summertime and ultimately work to reduce your overall cooling costs. It’s even been suggested that metal roofing can reduce the need to cool your home by up to 15% throughout the hot summer months.
Sleek Curb Appeal
There’s no denying that metal has sleek curb appeal. Metal is smooth, clean cut, and attractive. Its appearance can enhance the exterior look of all types of homes, regardless of siding material or overall style. Furthermore, metal roofing is available in multiple styles and colors so you’ll be sure to find one that best matches your home’s exterior aesthetics.
Low Maintenance
One commonly overlooked benefit of metal roofing is its few maintenance needs. For example, you won’t have to worry about repainting your roof. All that’s required is an annual inspection to detect any small problems, such as loose flashing. Furthermore, due to the size of the metal panels, there’s going to be a much smaller likelihood of a problem compared to homes with asphalt shingle roofing.
Fire Resistant
Metal is a safe material to have put on your roof. It will not spark or ignite if it comes into contact with a fire or lightning. In fact, metal is a naturally fire-resistant material with a Class A fire rating. This can go a long way in providing you and your family with peace of mind about the safety of your home.
Eco Friendly
Another commonly overlooked benefit of getting a metal roof installation is the environmental friendliness. All metal roofs are recyclable at the end of their usable lifespans. Furthermore, most metal roofing panels are constructed with anywhere between 25% and 95% of recycled metal material. This makes metal roofing a great option for homeowners who are looking to reduce their overall effects on the environment.
Fairly Lightweight
One of the biggest concerns of any roofing material is the overall weight. Heavy roofing materials can put too much weight on your home’s roofing structure and lead to sagging or more costly damage over time. The beauty of metal roofing is that it’s very lightweight. In fact, it’s typically 50% lighter than using traditional asphalt shingles. This makes it a very versatile material that can be used on different homes regardless of their overall roofing structures.
Boosts Home Value
Another commonly overlooked benefit of metal roofing is how it enhances your home’s overall resale value. While any new roofing material can boost your home’s overall value, metal tends to be considered a more premium feature due to its longer lifespan.
Resistant to Common Problems
One of the most prominent features of metal roofing is that it’s resistant to rotting. It’s also resistant to pest infestations and won’t develop mold or mildew. This can be particularly helpful in preventing those unwanted black streaks on your roof and unsightly algae growth.
Harder to Move On
One drawback of investing in a metal roof is that it’s much harder to maneuver on than other types of roofing material. This holds especially true when it’s wet due to previous rainfall or snowfall conditions. Asphalt shingles are easier and therefore safer to walk on than metal roofing.
Requires Large Section Replacement
Another drawback of metal roofing is that it can be more challenging to find a perfect replacement roof when you run into problems. For example, say that a tree fell on a section of your metal roof and caused extensive denting. To return your roof to normal, your roofer will have to replace the entire section of metal regardless of how big or small the impact damage is. Conversely, when it comes to dealing with shingles, your roofer only has to replace the shingles that are damaged instead of big sections like metal roofing. Furthermore, it can be challenging to match metal colors when the exact shade is no longer available.
Noisier
Metal roofing can be noisier than many other types of roofing. Sounds can be amplified by the metal. For example, when you’re experiencing a thunderstorm, you’ll be able to hear the raindrops falling onto the metal. For some homeowners, this is a nice soothing sound that they find particularly enjoyable. However, other homeowners do not appreciate the extra noise and prefer quieter roofing options. If you fall into the latter category, you can always dampen the noise by ensuring you have adequate insulation underneath the roof.
Costlier Than Shingles
One of the drawbacks of using metal roofing for your home is that it can be costly. On average, you’ll find that a metal roof will cost you about one and a half times what an asphalt shingle roof will cost you. However, it’s important to note that metal roofing is still cheaper to purchase than other roofing materials like slate, wood shakes, or clay tiles.
Trustworthy Metal Roofing Service
KPost Company provides trustworthy metal roofing services for community members throughout the entire Dallas, TX community. Our roofers can assist with all your gutter installation, storm damage, commercial, solar, roof inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, new installation, and emergency roof repair needs.
