Metal Roofs

Metal roofs are great for any type of roof and are ideal in forested, moss prone, or heavy precipitation areas.

Metal roofs are very lightweight, weighing about one quarter as much as tile roofs and nearly half as much as asphalt shingles. Metal roofing is generally more expensive than asphalt roofing, but cheaper than tile or slate roofing. It has a long life and can even lower heating and cooling costs because it reflects heat from the sun. If properly installed a metal roof will usually last as long as the house with manufacturer warranties often lasting 50 years. Although metal roofs can be walked on, care should be taken when walking on a roof with deep shake and tile profiles, to prevent damage to the contour of the ridges.

Metal roofs vary in color, style, and texture more than any other roofing material. They can be made to look like wood shakes, standard shingles, or even tile but without the extra weight. Many styles come in sheets which are quickly and easily installed while metal shingles will require additional time and expense because of individual placement and nailing. Recycled metal roofing can also be purchased, as an environmentally safe option for your home.

Metal Standing Seam Roof	Metal Tile Roof	Metal Shingles Roof

Typically made up of steel, aluminum or copper, metal roofs offer some of the best protection for your home. They withstand high winds, shed snow and rain very effectively and are fire resistant. Some people fear that hail may put dents in a metal roof, but many roof metal materials guarantee no denting. Another concern is that lightning may be attracted to a metal roof, and is more likely to strike the house but this is unfounded.

Advantages of a Metal Roof

• One of the major advantages of metal roof sheeting is that, in most of its forms, it is light weight, and therefore portable.
• Metal roofs are used almost universally to cover large buildings because of their high strength to weight ratio. Increases the thermal efficiency of buildings in high temperature areas with its cool-roof paints and high emissivity.
• Fire and spark resistant.
• Hail resistant.
• Wind resistant.
• Painted metal roofs are usually snow-shedding. Snow can usually collect when it is fresh and lighter weight. As soon as the ambient temperature rises a couple degrees, the snow usually just slides off. A very good trait for homes in northern or mountain regions.
• Metal is readily recyclable. Aluminum and Copper roofing products are available with over 95% recycled content. Most metals can be recycled over and over without losing any valuable properties.
• Durability. The lowest end metal roofing (thin gage with acrylic or polyester paints) commonly called AG (agricultural) or Utility panels will last 15-25 years which is roughly 3 times the lifespan of an average asphalt roof (in snow zones). Most metal roofing products today come with a lifetime replacement warranty. These warranties usually cover materials and labor without being prorated.
• Sheet materials like stainless steel, copper, zinc and aluminum are inherently durable; the oxidization of the base material forms a protective patina.
• The coatings and fixings on steel roof sheeting can be designed for different environments including industrial and marine locations.
• Design flexibility
• Large sprung curves.
• Rolled bull-nose shapes.
• Copper and Zinc details have historically been proved to last upwards of 100 years with little or no maintenance.
• Energy efficiency.
• Coatings with high reflectivity like Kynar with "cool roof" pigments commonly save 20-30% on air-conditioning costs due to reflecting away much of the sun's heat.
• Labor efficient
• Some Steel roofing products can be installed over open framing, or on a solid substrate.
• Most metal roofing products require very little or no maintenance.

Applications of Metal Roofing

• Metal Roofing is a very versatile building material. It is durable. It can be used on residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural buildings. It is not only used in roofing applications, but also may be used as a wall covering. There are many different profiles and styles available to fit most every building situation.
• You can also combine shapes for aesthetic impact. Like using an Aluminum Cedar Shake product and making Standing Seam details in the same material. Same material, same color but different shapes, this can have a striking impact on curb appeal and building value. Your design opportunities have very few hindrances, the sky is the limit.
• Metal roofing is usually easily applied over an existing roof. Especially in situations where labor cost cutting is essential, the added value of not having to remove the existing roof material can be of a large help.

Types of Metal Roof

• Corrugated galvanized steel describes the original product that was wrought iron/steel sheet coated with zinc and then roll formed into corrugated sheets. This product is still used today in most areas. The newer push of Modern Architecture and “Green” products has brought these products back to the fore ground.
• Aluminum - One of the longest lasting metals, but somewhat expensive compared to steel products. Aluminum roofs are very lightweight, corrosion-resistant, has high natural reflectivity and even higher natural emissivity. These properties help increase a building's energy efficiency. Aluminum products with Kynar paints easily last over 50 years. The newest innovation is Anodizing of the Aluminum Coil stock for use in Architectural details and standing seam panels. Anodizing is imbedded in the grain of the metal and is not normally subject to weathering and wear.

Maintenance

• When a Metal roof is used that is called an “AG” or “Utility” grade, these will need recoating once the factory finish wears off or corrosion will occur. These paints are commonly Acrylic or Polyester based. Roof coatings are the preferred material since they are able to stay elastic and withstand the thermal cycling that occurs in metal roofs.
• Roofing materials made from Stainless Steel, Zinc or Copper will rarely require maintenance over their lifetime. Usually the maintenance is required due to design or installation mistakes as these materials can commonly last over a century.
• Metal roofing with long life paints like Kynar should not normally require maintenance until the paint fails. These products have been used for over half a century now in the U.S. and few installations have failed. So these roofing products should be considered a lifetime product.