When considering a roof replacement or choosing a roofing material for your new house, you will learn about many different types of roofing materials. If you’re looking into metal roofing, there will be many questions in your mind about this roofing material that you would want addressed before consulting roofing companies. So, here are some important things you should know before installing metal roofing.

Types Of Metal Roofing

Metal roofs may appear the same if they are not painted, but different materials can be used as metal roofing. The choice depends on your preference and budget.

Steel

This is the most popular type of metal roofing and also the cheapest among other types. Steel is not properly rust-resistant so galvanized steel is used for metal roofing. In this process, steel is coated with molten zinc.

Steel roofing can be painted in various colors to match the theme of your house. Moreover, painting steel or any other metal can increase its longevity.

The common thickness levels of steel roofing are 24 gauge, 26 gauge, and 29 gauge. Here, a lower number means thicker steel panels or shingles. Steel roofing usually lasts from 30 to 50 years.

The price of your steel roofing may vary depending on the thickness and the paint you select. This statement applies to all other metal roofing types as well.

Aluminum

Aluminum is more lightweight than steel. It also costs less compared to steel even though both are durable and have the same life expectancy of 30-50 years. They even look the same. Any common person can’t tell them apart.

Aluminum is rust-resistant, but it can be painted to any color. The paint warranty of aluminum can be from 20-45 years. Due to the non-corrosive properties of aluminum, it’s suggested for homes that are near an ocean. Common aluminum thickness is .032 and .040. A higher number means thicker aluminum.

Copper

This is the most durable and expensive metal roofing option. It’s not common because of its price, but if you install it, you can expect it to last 200 years. So, it must be installed in a home that you want to spend a lifetime in and also want your children to inherit it.

Zinc

Zinc is also used as a roofing material. Mostly, its natural finish is used because it appears bluish-gray over time. One type of zinc roofing is zinc + titanium. It’s even more durable and non-corrosive than standard zinc roofing. The lifespan of zinc roofs is higher than aluminum and steel as they can last for 80 to 100 years.

Are Metal Roofs At Risk Of Rusting?

Most metal roofing materials are naturally rust-resistant. Steel is probably the only one of them that is not completely rust-resistant. This is why it’s coated with zinc. Moreover, all metal roofs come with the option of paint. Painting the metal roofing can improve its non-corrosiveness and can also increase its life expectancy.

If you want metal roofing, but are skeptical about steel because it might rust sooner, then you can choose other options like aluminum, zinc, and copper (though copper is really expensive). Apart from that, have the metal roof painted as well.

Follow these pieces of advice and your metal roof will last for 30-70 years even if you live near an ocean.

Metal Roofs Are Impervious To Insects And Rodents

Insects and critters are bad for wood shingles. Moreover, they can also prove to be bad for asphalt shingles as well. For example, rodents like raccoons can rip holes through shingles if the roof is not maintained well. Honey bees, if they find a small opening, they can make a way that can be damaging to your roof as well.

All or most of these problems related to insects and critters can be avoided by selecting the right roofing materials during roof replacement. If these small creatures have caused damage to your roof in the past, choosing a metal roofing can prove to be the best choice.

Meta Roofs Are Not Noisy

A common misconception about metal roofing is that it’s noisy. You may have heard people saying that metal roofs produce a lot of noise when it rains. This is far from the truth. In fact, a metal roof is just as noisy as an asphalt shingle roof.

You may ask why because metal naturally makes more noise if something is dropped on it. Let us explain how this characteristic of metal is dealt with during metal roof installation.

A solid substrate is used before installing metal roofs. It’s the materials that sit under the metal panels or shingles. This absorbs the noise of metal. So, rain or hail won’t be noticeable for anyone living under that roof.

Moreover, there is also the decking, attic, and insulation (along with the substrate) between you and the metal roof. They act as a sound barrier. So, you won’t notice any change in noise if you replace your asphalt roof with a metal roof.

The Cost And Longevity Factor Of Metal Roofing

Metal roofs cost more than some roofing materials like asphalt shingles. But before you consider that a complete statement, there is something that still makes metal roofing more cost-effective than asphalt roofing.

The manufacturer warranties of most asphalt shingles are between 15-30 years and they usually last between this range as well. On the other hand, the manufacturer warranties of metal roofing (metal and aluminum) are also around 30 years whereas they last for 30-70 years.

So, asphalt roofing may cost less, but you may have to replace your roof twice or thrice in 50-70. However, if you have metal roofing installed, you will have to replace your roof once in 50-70 years.

So, if long-term cost-saving is your goal, metal roofs can prove to be better than asphalt shingles.

Metal Roofs Can Be Installed On Existing Shingles

The best method of roof replacement is tearing off the existing roof or shingles and then proceeding with new roof installation. But if you don’t want to remove your old shingles to save labor costs or increase the durability of the roof, you can install a metal roof on top of your old shingles.

There are two things you need to make sure though. Sometimes, water is trapped between the old and new roofing. This can cause mold and rot. Make sure your roofer installs a vented metal roof to prevent water from trapping between the two roofs.

Another thing to take care of is the legality. Check with your local building authority to ensure that installing a roof over an old roof is allowed.

Metal Roofs Are Energy-Efficient

It’s believed that metal becomes hot when exposed to sunlight. However, another fact is ignored metal reflects solar radiant heat. Due to this, metal roofs can reduce cooling costs by 10 to 20%.

Moreover, if you live in a region where hot and warm weather is longer and you spend more money on cooling, then you can go a step further and coat the metal roof with a granular coating. It will increase its reflectivity.

Conclusion

Metal roofs are durable and last much more than asphalt shingles. However, keep in mind that they also cost double the price of asphalt roofs. Discuss your requirements with a roofing contractor Twinsburg to learn more before choosing any material for roof replacement.