Thinking About A New Roof Installation? Here’s Why You Should Go for It
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It helps protect you from the elements and wild animals. Often times, home and business owners have damaged roofs that they aren’t aware are damaged.
If a roof isn’t inspected after a storm or season with extreme temperatures, there’s a chance that shingles have been lost, there are holes in the roof, or animals have burrowed their way in. If a roof hasn’t been inspected and maintained, it’s also likely that moss and fungus has grown on the roof, which drastically decreases the lifespan and integrity of a roof.
If the roof over your home or business hasn’t been inspected or maintained recently, it’s time to call in the professionals.
7 Advantages of Using Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is the superior option when it comes to roofing materials. Most home and business owners don’t have to worry about a re-roofing project for as long a metal roof is over their heads because they are incredibly durable, especially compared to traditional shingles. Buildings that have metal roofs typically don’t need as much roof repair or new roof installation as often as buildings with asphalt shingles. Coated metal roofs and aluminum shingles can last for up to 60-years while a roof made of copper or zinc may last 100-years or longer.
Simply put, metal can withstand the tests of nature and time better than asphalt. Extreme temperatures, snow, ice, rain, and storm debris have the power to seriously damage a roof. When that happens, you risk incurring damage to your home or business while you wait for roofing contractors to come help. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are weatherproof and will hold up to protect your family, your business, and your belongings.
Here is a list of the things you can take advantage of when you hire a roofing contractor to complete a new roof installation with metal shingles.
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Metal is resistant to moss and fungus
Not only do roofs that have moss and fungus growing on them look unsightly, but they can be seriously damaged by these factors. If an asphalt roof isn’t properly maintained to have moss and fungus removed regularly, the lifespan of that roof can be cut in half.
Metal roofs are completely moss and fungus resistant. This makes them an excellent option, especially for those who live in damp or wooded areas that are prone to moss and fungus growth.
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Metal protects buildings from wild animals
As roofing contractors, we have seen many cases in which small animals have torn away shingles to get inside a home and nest. Small animals can cause further damage inside your home and made for dangerous circumstances, if anyone happens to come into contact with the animal – you never know what diseases an animal is carrying or how they can harm a person if they are trying to defend their nest.
Metal roofs cannot be penetrated by small animals, so you never have to worry about the integrity of your new roof installation when you choose a metal roof.
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Metal is resistant to damage
Asphalt and other traditional roofing materials can easily be damaged by high winds, fire, storms, and debris. Most asphalt shingles only have a wind-resistance of up to 70-MPH and can be damaged or blown clear off of a roof during an extreme storm.
Metal is a fire-retardant material that will protect your home – especially those that reside in hot and dry areas where wildfires are common. Additionally, a metal roof can withstand damage from hailstones, heavy snow and rainfall, high wind speeds (typically up to 160-MPH), and storm debris.
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Metal is more sustainable
Because you won’t have to replace shingles or require a new roof installation for at least twice as long as asphalt shingles, metal is a much more sustainable option. Just one new roof installation can last for up to 100-years. There are also options for roofs that are made of recycled metals, which means they can help keep building materials out of landfills. Finally, when a metal roof does have to be replaced, 100% of the material can be recycled to use in future projects.
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Metal roofs can help keep a home cool in the summer
Metal roofs that have been coated with a Kynar 500-based resin have a solar reflectance index (SRI) of 70+. Most asphalt roofs that have been rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council only have an SRI of 20-25.
Since metal roofs are able to reflect heat from the sun, it can significantly reduce the demand for air conditioning, therefore lowering electricity bills in the summertime. Metal roofs also cool much faster than asphalt roofs do. Much of the heat that they absorb throughout the day is released as soon as the sun goes down so your home will continue to cool down as the night goes on.
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Metal roofs help to prevent ice dams from forming
Ice dams occur when frozen water and snow builds up during the winter months. They pose a significant problem for many home and business owners in the United States, Canada, and other areas that experience freezing temperatures.
Ice dams are a huge issue because they can cause roofs to leak, which in turn causes water damage, and possibly mold growth. Luckily, metal roofs can prevent ice dams from forming altogether because snow and water can easily slide off to the ground.
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Aesthetically pleasing
There are many different options when it comes to metal roofing. In fact, you can even get a new roof installation with metal that mimics another material, like tile, wood, shake, or traditional shingles. Metal roofing materials also come in a variety of colors so you can get match the aesthetic design of the rest of your home.
There’s no doubt that using metal roofing materials is the way to go for your new roof installation. If there’s one thing that you don’t want to have to worry about after a storm, it’s the integrity of the roof over your home or business. Metal roofing won’t be damaged by high winds, extreme temperatures, hail, snow, or debris. It’s also fire-retardant to protect those who live in areas where wildfires and extremely hot temperatures are common.
