Benefits and Drawbacks of Metal Roofing
Whether you’re considering re-roofing or building a new house and want a durable roof, you’ll probably be overwhelmed with the different options. From composition roofs to slate ones, choosing the best-valued one can be difficult. Or is it?
Durable, long-lasting, and eco-friendly all at once, the benefits of metal roofing are endless. Plus, with so many metal roofing types on the market, you’ll surely find one that will last for decades and not break the bank.
With that in mind, let’s check out everything about metal roofs, from their pros and cons to their types and components.
What Are the Most Common Metal Roofing Types
While asphalt roofs are the most common in SoCal, metal roofs find their home in several houses all over the US. The most common metal roofing types can be found below:
Galvanized Steel: Being the cheapest option, galvanized steel is by no means a bad choice. It’s durable enough to last for decades, and with proper maintenance, it’ll last for nearly half a century.
Aluminum: Like galvanized steel, aluminum roofs aren’t the best in terms of longevity, but they’ll also not break the bank.
Copper: If you have money to spend and want to ensure that the roof over your head lasts for up to a century, look no further than copper roofs.
Zinc: While they’re not common here, our European friends utilize zinc roofs instead of copper ones to achieve similar longevity. Plus, galvanized steel roofs are actually coated with zinc for extra protection.
Stainless Steel: If you’re not a fan of the patina buildup that comes with copper roofs, stainless steel ones are an excellent alternative in terms of durability. But they’ll cost just as much.
How Long Does a Metal Roof Last
We’ve used the “longevity” buzzword quite a lot so far. But how long does a metal roof last? Well, as with every other roofing type, it depends. Some will last up to 40 years, while others will last long enough to outlive the next generation (up to 100 years).
What Affects a Metal Roof’s Longevity
Despite being practically weatherproof, metal roofs are actually affected by intense weather conditions. The significant temperature changes we can experience in SoCal will break the fasteners holding the roof together over time. That’s because these roofs will expand and contract depending on the temperature.
Also, if your new roof isn’t installed properly, you risk moisture penetrating through it, which will destroy it. That said, if your roofing contractor has experience with metal roof installations, you won’t have to worry about any issues.
What Are the Main Metal Roofing Components
Metal roofing components aren’t that different from what’s used in most roofs. You’ll still find general parts of a roof, like valleys and gables. But, there are some components that differ, these being:
Panels
Fasteners and Clips
Underlayment
Sealant and Closures
What Are the Benefits of Metal Roofing
So, now that we’ve covered some of the key information about these roofs, let’s see why there’s so much hype around them.
Longevity
We’ve already thoroughly covered this, but we can’t stress it enough. Even in a worst-case scenario, a metal roof will last you around 40 years, with most actually lasting between 50-75 years.
Weatherproof
From the Santa Ana winds to the heatwaves in the summer and the rare snow in the winter, metal roofs will brush them all off. Oh, and did we mention that they are also fireproof? So, even if a lightning bolt strikes it (a very rare occurrence, contrary to popular belief), it will be just fine.
Eco-Friendly
Unlike other roofing materials, like asphalt-based shingles, metal roofs are 100% recyclable. Plus, most types will be partly composed of recycled materials, adding to their eco-friendliness.
Energy-Efficient
Metal roofs won’t only last long; they’ll also reflect UV rays. In turn, your house will remain cooler during the summer and hotter during the winter, making them very energy-efficient. So, you’re also saving up on the electricity bill!
What Are the Disadvantages of a Metal Roof
With so many benefits, the real question is, what are the disadvantages of a metal roof? And, no, we don’t believe that they’re noisy. Or noisy enough for it to be considered a con.
Costly
Look, these are undoubtedly expensive. The initial cost will be very high compared to other roof types. However, they’re long-lasting and energy-efficient, making them a great investment in the long run.
Slippery
The biggest disadvantage of a metal roof is that the affordable options are slippery all year round. The more expensive ones will also get slippery once rain or snow hits, though water doesn’t stagnate on them. So, you’ll have to be careful when maintenance time comes around.
Metal Roofing Installation at Its Finest
And that’s about everything there’s to say regarding metal roofing. In general, their benefits significantly outweigh their drawbacks. Plus, they won’t put too much weight on our backs when we install them!
At Roofing Wise, we cover all types of roofing installations all over SoCal, as well as the required maintenance and repairs. Call us now at (833) 315-7663 for a free estimate!