Metal Roofing
Metal roofing has proven its durability as a residential roofing material for centuries in Europe. However, due to its many benefits metal roofing is the fastest growing segment of the residential roofing products market. Typically manufactured from steel, aluminum or copper, metal roofing offers homeowners the chance to choose from a multitude of colors and textures. Standing-seam steel roofing is the most popular residential metal roofing today. The term standing-seam describes the upturned edge of one metal panel that connects it to adjacent sections, creating distinctive vertical lines and a trendy historical look.
Metal roofs can also be made to resemble wood shakes, clay tiles, shingles, and Victorian metal tiles. Advances in metal forming techniques and improvements in coatings have created a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from, making metal roofing more enticing option for homeowners. Aluminum or coated steel is formed into individual shingles or tiles, or into modular panels four feet long that mimic a row of shingles or tiles. As your Guru will explain, the sound of rain on a metal roof, which some homeowners find unacceptable, can be reduced with the use of a foam underlayment.
Durable, fire retardant and almost maintenance-free has made them a popular choice. They are also energy efficient. Research by the Florida Solar Energy Center showed that metal absorbed 34 percent less heat than asphalt shingles, and homeowners switching to metal roofing reported saving up to 20 percent on their energy bills. Metal roofs typically have solar reflectance values between 0.50 and 0.70 but their overall efficiency is reduced by their low emittance levels, which means they trap solar radiation and don’t emit the heat.
The cost of metal roofing is initially higher than that of composition shingles, but it has a longer life cycle and can significantly lower heating and air conditioning costs, making a metal roof a very good investment. Metal roofs are made from recycled metals (60% or higher), so they provide an environmentally friendly option. The budget conscious can install metal roofing over up to two laters of asphalt shingles, saving them the charge for a tear off & disposal of products.
Metal resists peeling, chalking, and fading , from UV light. Metal roofs are quite common in areas that are deal with high winds. It performs favorably when subjected to heavy snowfall and ice. Metal roofs are also great for any type of roof and are ideal in forested, moss prone, or heavy precipitation areas.