Metal Roofing FAQs
There are several benefits to having a metal roof. Here are just a few to consider.
Energy Efficient
Your roof is often the least energy efficient part of your home. Heating and cooling typically consume about 30% of your home’s energy, and half of that results from heated or cooled air lost through the roof. Metal roofs reflect the sun, which reduces the amount of heat penetrating the home. A reflective roof can reduce peak cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent, according to the Dept. of Energy. Some metal roofs can save up to 25 percent in energy costs, according to the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Longevity
Some metal roofs come with warranties of up to 50 years, but can literally last for hundreds of years, whereas traditional roofs typically last 10 to 20 years.
Durable
Metal roofs aren’t as vulnerable to hail, wind and fire damage and some insurance companies even offer discounts on homeowner’s policies due to metal’s storm-resistant properties.
Safety
Metal roofs are practically fire proof, and will not support or spread a fire to other parts of the house, a permanent roof can preserve the integrity of your roof longer to allow a safe escape.
An asphalt shingle roof is likely to fail much sooner than the solar panels will. Therefore, it is likely that in several years the roof will fail, due to roof leaks caused in part by roof penetrations made during the solar system installation. With standing seam, there are methods to install solar laminates that require no penetrations to your roof.
Metal roofing weighs less than other roofing products, in many cases enabling it to be installed over the existing roof using felt or lathing strips.
Use our measurement tool. If you must climb onto the roof to measure the space, be sure to use caution. In addition, if you don’t feel comfortable climbing on your roof for any reason please don’t! Contact a roofing professional to perform any needed inspections or maintenance to request an estimate. Click here to see our “How to measure a roof” video.
Even though the initial cost is more than a traditional asphalt shingle roof, when you look at the life-cycle costing, it’s much cheaper to go with a metal roof system than it is to go with a traditional asphalt shingle roof. They have great energy savings. They reflect the heat away to make your attic space cooler, reduce your energy use in the summertime and will increase the value of your home. Typically you will find a similar cost factor when it comes to metal and shingles. However, metal roofing can be more expensive depending on the color and panel style. It’s a smart investment overall when it comes to metal roofing. You may pay more upfront but in the long run it’s worth it.
A metal roof is no (noisier) than a traditional roof. When you have a metal roof, you’re going on top of a solid deck. In that solid deck you have an attic space, insulation, a ceiling. Metal roofs are usually installed with solid sheathing attached to the underlayment, which helps reduce noise. If you don’t hear rain today, you won’t hear rain with a metal roof on. In fact, a properly installed metal roof will disperse rain to reduce noise.
Some metal roofs come with warranties of up to 50 years, but can literally last for hundreds of years, whereas traditional roofs typically last 10 to 20 years.
Steel is the most common material for metal roofing panels. Click here for our colors and panel descriptions.
They have great energy savings. They reflect the heat away to make your attic space cooler, reduce your energy use in the summertime.
Metal roofs can lower your heating bills. However, if your home has inadequate insulation, air leaks and windows that are not energy efficient, installing a metal roof will not likely lower your heating bills. It is important to remember there are many factors that contribute to your home’s overall energy usage. Many of our metal roofing products are Energy Star® rated.
Metal roofs don’t prevent ice dams. The root cause of ice dams is improper attic ventilation and inadequate attic insulation. If your attic space doesn’t have enough insulation and ventilation, ice dams can still form on a metal roof. Ice dams result from a problem that could exist for any attic space and roof. Heat still rises, and with lack of insulation and ventilation, the snow on the roof melts, runs down and re-freezes at the eaves — even if it is a metal roof.
It doesn’t attract lightning anymore than any other roofs do, but the benefit of a metal roof is if it does get hit by lightning, it will disperse the energy throughout the roof instead of being isolated to one spot where it can cause a fire.
Before you can begin to update your roof, you will have to get an accurate measurement and order your materials. Always try to measure from the ground first in order to keep yourself safe. If you must climb onto the roof to measure the space, be sure to use caution. In addition, if you don’t feel comfortable climbing on your roof for any reason, contact a roofing professional to perform any needed inspections or maintenance. Use our measurement tool. Then, refer to this overview.
Yes. One big advantage to metal roofing is its light weight, which means metal roofing can be installed over an existing shingle roof. However, there are some things that you will want to check out before doing it this way. For one, you will need to check with your local building department and ask if this is an approved installation method.
One of the benefits of installing a metal roof on a structure is the low maintenance required to ensure a long life for the roof. Maintaining a metal roof is easy, as metal roofing is often referred to as maintenance-free. In most cases a metal roof would retain structural integrity, remain leak-free, and look good for at least the life of the product warranty even without any maintenance.
Quality metal roofing products may earn you discounts on your homeowner’s insurance. Be sure to contact your insurance agency request information on available discounts.
Core Ten weathering steel is popular among architects for it’s rusty appearance, which is caused by the actual rusting of the metal. Once the rusting starts, the metal begins to develop an orange patina, which over time can become a dark brownish color. On thick 22 gauge weathering steel panels, this corrosion can act as a protective layer preventing further corrosion. Weathering steel is aesthetically pleasing, and provides a natural-looking patina in an ultra low-gloss finish once the rusting has coated the entire fabricated metal. It is exciting to watch the transformation over time!
Core Ten is a natural product, unprotected by a warranty. As Core Ten starts to develop it’s patina finish, weather and humidity can cause run-off onto adjacent building materials, including other roofing and siding materials and where run-off reaches ground level, onto concrete and landscaping. This run-off can permanently stain these materials and affect ground and landscaping in an adverse manner. Also, Core Ten patina should be protected from passers-by in such a manner that run-off should be directed and managed away from pedestrian areas of travel.
We offer several pleasing painted alternatives that replicate the look of a fully-weathered Core Ten patina. Ask your customer service representative about Western Rust, Copper Ten Raw, Core Ten AZP, and Sedona Rust, to name a few. These painted alternatives give instant gratification of a rusty patina and also offer a paint warranty. Whatever your building materials choice, we can offer exciting alternatives to achieve your end goal!
Did you know that a natural matte color options can captures organic light interaction from natural environments while delivering refined color. Click here to see additional Natural Matte Colors from CMG!