Metal roofs can be up to two to three times more expensive than other roofing materials. Are you curious why this building material has won over so many homeowners? See the full list of pros and cons of metal roofing below. Weigh them carefully and you may find that you, too, could benefit from this reliable roof. Traditional asphalt shingles are a product of petroleum and, as such, increase dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition, they require replacement every 15 to 20 years, which means that nearly 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles are shipped to the U.S. UU. Landfills every year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The money spent on installing a metal roof can be recovered from the savings in monthly cooling and heating costs thanks to the reflective properties of this type of roof.
Metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat rather than absorb it, which year-round, but especially during long summer days, can reduce cooling costs by up to 25 percent, according to Metal Roofing Alliance. In addition, some metal roofs are coated with special reflective pigments to minimize heat gain, keeping occupants comfortable without having to turn up the air conditioner. Seven out of 10 homeowners living under metal roofs designed theirs with traditional vertical grooved panels or “stand-up seam” construction, but metal roofs don't lack style options either. Fans of more traditional profiles can opt for a metal tile manufactured to look like wooden planks, slate or clay tiles, or any number of other designs instead.
Metal doesn't have to stick out like a sore thumb to do its job; rather, it can mimic just about any look using multi-layer factory finishes that ensure the appearance is not only beautiful, but also durable and long-lasting. The only disadvantage that poses a real safety risk is the fact that metal roofs are really slippery when wet or when covered with snow. It's never a good idea to climb onto a metal roof when it's wet or covered with snow. They are so slippery that roof snow avalanche is a definite hazard in areas that experience heavy snowfall in winter.
If you own a home with an asphalt roof, you may be considering changing it to a metal one. Researchers estimate metal roofing to be the second most popular roofing option in the United States. They are energy efficient, durable and respectful of the environment. However, metal roofs have drawbacks.
The last thing you want is to spend tens of thousands of dollars, only to find that it doesn't fit your needs. Here's everything you need to know to answer: “What are the disadvantages of a metal roof?. One of the main benefits surrounding metal roofing is the number of options you have to choose from. Tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, and galvanized steel are options for metal roofing you can choose from.
This allows you to customize your roof based on the durability, style, and price you're looking to get. Most other roofing options don't offer as much variety. Metal roofs save energy by reducing energy requirements to cool your home in the summers. Benefits of Metal Roofing Drawbacks of Metal Roofing & Myths Our Summary of Recommendations What would the metal roof look like in your home? Because the metal roof is lightweight, you can save on the engineering and construction of the supporting structure.
In fact, if you are building a new house or a new addition, you can often reduce the size or number of roof support members due to the light weight of metal roofs. Metal roof weighs 1 to 3 pounds per square foot, depending on material thickness and profile. If exterior appeal and aesthetics are important to you, just know that oil canning is a possibility in a standing seam metal roof. But it is also possible for snow to fall in an avalanche from a metal roof in such quantities that it can damage roofs, shrubs, cars, or even people.
Screws are screwed through the metal panels, leaving no room for the metal to expand and contract as it goes through thermal expansion. Metal roofs continue to grow in popularity, and one of their disadvantages actually turns out to be an advantage when viewed from the general point of view. A dark shade will allow the metal roof to heat up quickly and will promote the melting and shedding of accumulated snow without problems. Another important consideration before seriously considering a metal roof for your home is what it would look like.
It is more often with standing seam, if you have a corrugated metal roof it will not be a problem. While metal roofs are good for protecting against a fire approaching from outside a home, such as sparks and flying embers, they are not ideal for fires that start inside a home. Because metal roofing materials are non-combustible, they generally have a Class A fire rating (the most fire resistant rating). Fear of lightning strikes may be an imaginary problem, but there are some genuine downsides to metal roofing.
Aluminum and steel are the most commonly used metals for residential roofing and are capable of maintaining a paint finish. Although the vast majority of metal roofs are built to withstand heavy rain and snowfall, large chunks of hail or falling tree branches can cause dents. Because of this, you will pay to replace the screws approximately every 5 years to prevent leaks, or before a heavy storm rips off the entire metal roof. You should be very careful when walking on most metal roofs, both to avoid damaging or denting the roof and to prevent it from slipping.
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