A common misconception is that a metal roof on you home will be noisier than other types of roofing. When installed over solid sheathing, there will be little difference between metal and other materials when it comes to noise from rain or hail. Normal attic insulation also absorbs most of the sound.
If installed in a spanning condition (non-solid sheathing) as with purlin in a steel frame or stringers in wood frame buildings, the sound of rain is likely to be heard which is where this myth originates.
Metal roofs are NOT more susceptible to lightning strikes. The probability of a lightning strike is determined by a number of factors. When struck by lightning, metal roofing actually provides superior protection than traditional roofing material because it is electrically conductive and noncombustible so the threat of fire is drastically reduced.
(1) Federal Alliance for Safe Home, “Blueprint for Safety: Hail”, www.blueprintforsafety.org
Download the brochure below for more information on how metal roofing stands up to lightning.
Today's metal roofing systems are built to last. Our steel roofing has a "metallic coating" made of a zinc-aluminum alloy called Galvalume. This metallic coating prevents rust from forming and is bonded to the base steel at the mill.
Galvalume can be the finished product or paint system can be applied over the metallic coating. The base steel coated with Galvalume carries a 25-year structural warranty from the mill. When color is desired, our steel is coated with Sherwin William's SMP (40-year) or PVDF (35-year) to provide the long-lasting color homeowners desire.
You may be surprised to learn that a steel / metal roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. Generally, asphalt shingles weigh 2 - 3.5 lbs per sqft. 26 gauge metal roofing weighs approx 0.75 lbs per sqft and 24 gauge metal roofing 1 lb per sqft.
Because metal roofing is a premium roofing, you can expect your new roof to cost more than an asphalt shingle roof. However, a metal roof is comparable in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost less.
When considering total life cycle cost (how long will comparable last before replacement is needed), it is likely that a new metal roof is the best overall value.
Insurance companies generally offer 20% to 35% discounts on homeowner premiums because they know steel / metal roofing last longer, is more durable, holds up to extreme weather better and is less likely to need replacement as often as other roofing materials.
The technology used to make steel roofing has dramatically improved over the decades. Steel mills have continued to develop steel that will out perform steel products made 20 or more years ago. Improvements to an already long-lasting product. The introduction of Galvalume (zinc-aluminum alloy coating) to the market place in the 1980's has made a significant positive impact regarding performance and service life of steel roofing. Today's Galvalume properly installed in steel roofing application has been formally documented to achieve a predicted service life of 80+ years. This is exciting news!
Paint systems have also made significant performance improvements. Since the mid-1990's paint companies standard offering has improved from 10 to 25 to 35 to currently 40-year limited warranty paint systems. Paint warranties address chalk, fade, peel and cracking. Vivid colors and dark colors once thought to only cause a structure to absorb heat, now actually reflect radiant heat that can result in reduced energy consumption.
SMP (Silicon Modified Polyester) is a high quality long lasting paint system usually on 26 gauge. PVDF ( Polyvinylidene Fluoride) is higher quality than SMP and usually on 24 gauge.
Longevity is one of the top reasons consumers report choosing steel / metal roofing for their homes. But it isn't just the dependability that people love about long-living metal roofing; it's the low life cycle cost.
While steel / metal roofing is a premium product, it can actually cost as little or less than asphalt roofing. Since asphalt roofing needs to be replaced 2 - 4 times as often as steel / metal roofing, you really need to compare not only the initial cost of asphalt roofing materials but also the cost of asphalt roof repairs and re-installation of material and labor vs steel / metal that is made to last decades.
More and more, homeowners are seeking out energy-saving building materials for their renovations and new homes, products that not only secure and improve structures but also provide long-term cost-cutting on energy bills while promoting environmental and economic sustainability in the greater community.
A Concealed Fastener metal roof (aka standing seam metal roof) is the best product to install a solar panel system. If installing a solar panel system that will last 30-50 years, why not install it on a roofing product that will outlast the solar product? S-5! clamps allow solar to attach to metal roofing without penetrating the metal.
The steel / metal we use to manufacture is composed of minimum 25% recycled material and can be installed over an existing asphalt shingle roof (proper underlayment and inspection required) reducing landfill waste and promoting quick installation as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty.
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