Answers to the Most Commonly
Asked Questions About Metal Roofs
Q. How does the cost of a metal roof compare to other
roofs?
A. Metal roofs are a premium product and cost somewhat more than a 30 year warranty asphalt/fiberglass shingle roof; however a metal roof can cost substantially less than many of the high-end architectural shingles now being sold. Additionally, metal roofs have many advantages and benefits over asphalt/fiberglass shingle roofs.
Q. How much longer will a metal roof last than common roofing like asphalt or wood shingle?
A. You can expect a metal roof to last at least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond.
To put it in context, the average life span of an asphalt roof is 17 to 23 years. That lifespan can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose.
Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates.
Q. Can I walk on a metal roof?
A. Yes you can; however, like walking on any roof, you should be careful.
Q. Are metal roofs noisy when it rains?
A. No, metal roofs are not noisy when it rains. According to one study, the noise levels of a metal roof are about the same as other roofing products such as asphalt or wood shingles or clay tiles.
Q. Are metal roofs damaged by hail?
A. Metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to hail damage... much more so than asphalt/fiberglass shingles. In fact, many metal roofing products have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by the insurance commissions in the hail belt regions of the U.S. Some insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for metal roofs.
Q. Are metal roofs resistance to wind damage?
A. All metal roofing products are very wind resistant. Many styles have been tested to withstand hurricane force winds; and wind warranties can be as high as 120mph.
Q. Are metal roofs fire safe?
A. A metal roof is the most fire safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material with a Class "A" rating - the highest rating given.
Q. How does the weight of a metal roof compare to other types of roofing?
A. Much to many peoples surprise, metal roofs are significantly lighter than other types of roofs. Typically they weigh less than one-third the weight of asphalt/fiberglass shingles; and are as much as 75% lighter than clay, concrete or slate.
Q. Will a metal roof rust?
A. Galvalume coated steel roofing panels are protected by layers of metallic and polymer coatings. Industry studies have repeatedly shown them to outperform the corrosion resistance of other coated metals. They are available with warranty's as long as 50 years.
Q. Does the color fade?
A. Metal roofs are painted with high-performance polymers that have exceptional weathering properties. Over time you might notice a slight change in color due to the settling of airborne contamination, but occasional rain or washing the roof with a garden hose (from the ground) will keep the roof looking like new
Q. What about lightning?
A. Steel roofing is no more susceptible to lightning than any other roofing material. Lightning most frequently strikes the highest point in any terrain; and if your roof is at the highest point of the surrounding terrain, you can install lightning rods.
Q. If I'm reroofing, do I have to remove the old roof before installing the metal roof?
A. Usually not if you're installing the metal roof over existing asphalt, fiberglass or composition shingles (maximum of two layers thick). In most situations, the metal roof can be installed directly over the old roof.
Q. Is a metal roof environmentally responsible?
A. Not only is metal roofing great for your home, it's great for the environment. The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 28% from production to installation to reuse - far superior to asphalt.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end, they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City again, then on to Chicago.
That's a lot of wasted asphalt. But because a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what's already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive shingle waste.
Q. Will a metal roof make my house hot?
A. Actually, a metal roof can save you money on your a/c costs because it has a higher heat reflectivity than other roofing products like asphalt/fiberglass shingles, wood, tile, etc. During the summer it makes buildings cooler by efficiently reflecting away sunlight and reducing the amount of heat transmitted into the building. Likewise, it makes buildings warmer in the winter by reflecting inside heat from the underside of the roof back into the building. This good thermal reflectivity translates into energy savings by reducing cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter.
Q. What is galvalume?
A. Galvalume is 55% Al-Zn (aluminum - zinc) coated sheet steel that is ideally suited for most types of roofing applications. An estimated 40 billion square feet of galvalume now covers buildings in all kinds of climates and environments throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. Galvalume is an ideal material for roofing because of its extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and resulting long life. It is extremely popular due to its versatility, ease of use, aesthetics and long-term performance.
BACK TO METAL ROOFING
A. Metal roofs are a premium product and cost somewhat more than a 30 year warranty asphalt/fiberglass shingle roof; however a metal roof can cost substantially less than many of the high-end architectural shingles now being sold. Additionally, metal roofs have many advantages and benefits over asphalt/fiberglass shingle roofs.
Q. How much longer will a metal roof last than common roofing like asphalt or wood shingle?
A. You can expect a metal roof to last at least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular roof. In general terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond.
To put it in context, the average life span of an asphalt roof is 17 to 23 years. That lifespan can be shorter depending on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A metal roof, however, will never decompose.
Other roofing materials like wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more northern climates.
Q. Can I walk on a metal roof?
A. Yes you can; however, like walking on any roof, you should be careful.
Q. Are metal roofs noisy when it rains?
A. No, metal roofs are not noisy when it rains. According to one study, the noise levels of a metal roof are about the same as other roofing products such as asphalt or wood shingles or clay tiles.
Q. Are metal roofs damaged by hail?
A. Metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to hail damage... much more so than asphalt/fiberglass shingles. In fact, many metal roofing products have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by the insurance commissions in the hail belt regions of the U.S. Some insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for metal roofs.
Q. Are metal roofs resistance to wind damage?
A. All metal roofing products are very wind resistant. Many styles have been tested to withstand hurricane force winds; and wind warranties can be as high as 120mph.
Q. Are metal roofs fire safe?
A. A metal roof is the most fire safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material with a Class "A" rating - the highest rating given.
Q. How does the weight of a metal roof compare to other types of roofing?
A. Much to many peoples surprise, metal roofs are significantly lighter than other types of roofs. Typically they weigh less than one-third the weight of asphalt/fiberglass shingles; and are as much as 75% lighter than clay, concrete or slate.
Q. Will a metal roof rust?
A. Galvalume coated steel roofing panels are protected by layers of metallic and polymer coatings. Industry studies have repeatedly shown them to outperform the corrosion resistance of other coated metals. They are available with warranty's as long as 50 years.
Q. Does the color fade?
A. Metal roofs are painted with high-performance polymers that have exceptional weathering properties. Over time you might notice a slight change in color due to the settling of airborne contamination, but occasional rain or washing the roof with a garden hose (from the ground) will keep the roof looking like new
Q. What about lightning?
A. Steel roofing is no more susceptible to lightning than any other roofing material. Lightning most frequently strikes the highest point in any terrain; and if your roof is at the highest point of the surrounding terrain, you can install lightning rods.
Q. If I'm reroofing, do I have to remove the old roof before installing the metal roof?
A. Usually not if you're installing the metal roof over existing asphalt, fiberglass or composition shingles (maximum of two layers thick). In most situations, the metal roof can be installed directly over the old roof.
Q. Is a metal roof environmentally responsible?
A. Not only is metal roofing great for your home, it's great for the environment. The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 28% from production to installation to reuse - far superior to asphalt.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end, they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City again, then on to Chicago.
That's a lot of wasted asphalt. But because a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what's already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive shingle waste.
Q. Will a metal roof make my house hot?
A. Actually, a metal roof can save you money on your a/c costs because it has a higher heat reflectivity than other roofing products like asphalt/fiberglass shingles, wood, tile, etc. During the summer it makes buildings cooler by efficiently reflecting away sunlight and reducing the amount of heat transmitted into the building. Likewise, it makes buildings warmer in the winter by reflecting inside heat from the underside of the roof back into the building. This good thermal reflectivity translates into energy savings by reducing cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter.
Q. What is galvalume?
A. Galvalume is 55% Al-Zn (aluminum - zinc) coated sheet steel that is ideally suited for most types of roofing applications. An estimated 40 billion square feet of galvalume now covers buildings in all kinds of climates and environments throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. Galvalume is an ideal material for roofing because of its extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and resulting long life. It is extremely popular due to its versatility, ease of use, aesthetics and long-term performance.
BACK TO METAL ROOFING
