Metal Roofs Are Now An Attractive Option
If you're building a new home or remodeling the one you've got now, a roof is an important and costly decision. When choosing which type of roof is best for your home, consider cost, durability, appearance, and the expected life of the material. Many people are now considering metal roofs, and they are a perfect choice for many people.
Most people associated metal roofs with cheap corrugated tin in previous years. However, modern residential metal roofing is much more aesthetically attractive and functional, with all of the advantages that current technology can provide. They are extremely durable, highly resistant to fire and high winds, lightweight, easy to install, and good at reflecting heat away. On the other hand, they tend to be expensive, don't provide good insulation, can dent or chip, and make noise in rain and hail storms.
Metal roofs are very resistant to wind damage, such as from hurricanes, and so are an appealing option in areas vulnerable to wind damage. Metal types of roofing also receive the highest fire retardant rating. As such, homes with metal roofs may have a higher asset value, and enjoy lower insurance rates.
Because they are reflective of the sun's radiation, they keep your house cool in the summer and reduce utility costs of air conditioning. Metal has virtually no inherent insulation to keep in heat, but if you add insulation materials or construct your roof so that there is a "dead space" between the metal and the underlying components, this is not a significant problem at all. If you're concerned about noise from your metal roof during rain or hail, consider using sound deadening insulations. Note that heat can make metal contract and expand, so connectors may loosen over time.
Metal roofs are very light, which means they require fewer structural supports and thus are less expensive to install. In addition, a metal roof can be installed above your home's current roof before removing the existing roof, making the process cheaper and less time-consuming. Installation is simpler because such roofs come in large sheets, but this may make large sections harder to replace when necessary. Also, if you build an addition to your house, matching the metal roof can be difficult.
The single reason that people decide against metal roofs is the cost. These types of roofs can be very expensive, but finding discount metal roofing is possible. Whether discounted or not, metal roofs are always an excellent value because of their long life. You can reasonably expect to get 20 to 50 years out of a metal roof. In fact, it is likely to last longer than the house it's on! If you plan to stay in your home for a long time, metal can be a great bargain for you.
Residential metal roofing has become more popular because it is lightweight, fire resistant, wind resistant, very long lasting and now even attractive. While metal roofs are still more expensive than most other types, they are more affordable than ever and discount metal roofing is available as well. The higher initial cost may be offset by lower maintenance costs and less need for replacement over the life of a house. Construction costs may also be less since these need less support. Metal can reflect the sun to make summer cooling less expensive and are easily insulated for winter warmth.
Published October 6th, 2007
Filed in Environment, Family
