When it’s time to replace your roof, you will be presented with a variety of options from the good old brick that gives your building a rustic appeal to the more atypical rubber slate whose installers are hard to find. Your choice will depend on a number of different factors, including what materials your roof is made of, your home’s overall architecture, the climate in your area, your desired increase in energy efficiency, and more.
With so many new roofing materials emerging on the market, it can be quite challenging to choose the best fit for your home. This is why it’s important to seek advice from one of the trusted roofing companies in Chicago. Especially because a roofing project may cost a lot of money, it wouldn’t be wise to make uneducated decisions at any point in the process.
One of the roof types that expert roofers will very likely recommend is metal roof. While it seems like a modern option, it’s actually been around for many decades, except today’s versions are far more appealing thanks to their innovative qualities. Before you unwarily order metal panels from your local hardware store, though, read on to learn more about metal roofing first.
Benefits of Metal Roof
Each roof type has its share of advantages, which makes choosing even more difficult. The rule of thumb is to choose a roof type with the most advantages, and this is where metal roof stands out.
Easy Installation
– Unlike other roof types, metal roof comes in large panels instead of small pieces, making installation fast and easy. It saves on nails, too. Roofers can install a metal roof within a few hours, whereas installing asphalt shingles may take a few days depending on the size of the building and manpower.
Flexibility
– When it comes to design options, metal roof doesn’t disappoint either. That’s not just because metals can be molded and cut into almost any shape and thickness, but more importantly because the surface of metal receives coating quite efficiently. Unlike ceramic, stone, concrete, and wood, metal doesn’t have miniscule voids on its surface that paint can seep into, making it totally impermeable. In terms of form, it can even be made to imitate the appearance of other roofing materials.
Not as Noisy as They Say
– One of the biggest fears of homeowners who decide to have a metal roof is the likelihood of having to put up with the noise the roof makes when it’s raining. While it’s certainly true that raindrops create a louder, more annoying sound as they hit a thin metal surface, it’s not the case with modern metal roof. That’s because its underlayment provides enough steadiness to counter sound-producing vibrations, making the roof just as noisy in the rain as asphalt roofing.
Lightweight but Sturdy
– Metal roof is possibly the lightest among all available roofing materials. You can even installmetal roofing over shingles without affecting the stability of the whole roofing system. Make no mistake, though, as it is also one of the toughest and most durable roofing materials out there. With proper maintenance, it can last for over 50 years.
Metal Roof vs. Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt roofing is economical yet lovely, two of the qualities most homeowners desire to get from their roof. When it comes to performance and durability, however, it ranks lowest. Asphalt roofing is less resistance to updraft and high winds than other roof types. It also gradually loses the layer of granules on its surface as it wears out. These granules are meant to shield its sublayers, which is why asphalt roof only lasts about 15 to 20 years.
Metal roofing, on the other hand, is durable not only because the metal it is made of is resistant to corrosion or because coating can protect it from the elements, but also because it has a wider continuous surface. Meaning, there’s fewer sections of the roof where high winds can ooze into. It’s also installed in a manner that doesn’t allow updraft to blow it off easily. When it comes to hail, you can expect metal roof to sustain less damage than asphalt roof.
Considerations When Installing Metal Roof
Just like other types of roof, installing metal roof requires some considerations. Generally, you have to consider factors such as safety precautions for the roofer, proper decking layout, installation of flashing on critical spots, and more. There are, however, considerations that are quite unique to metal roofing installation. For instance, we all know that metal absorbs heat much more effectively than other materials, which means a metal roof requires better insulation to prevent the attic from trapping a lot of heat, which could spread into your home interior.
What if you decide to replace your asphalt shingle roofing with a metal roof but you want it done quickly? Is it possible to install metal roof over shingles? Well, you have the option to skip dismantling and simply install the metal roof on top of the existing one. This process, called re-roofing, requires even more critical considerations, because you’re not just defying basic construction standards but this also puts aesthetics at stake.
Of course, you will still need to put underlayment before you install the metal panels. This is the only way to securely latch the panels onto the surface and make the roof level across the plane. This will add a significant amount of weight on your roofing system so better consult with one of the trusted roofing contractors in your area, such as Muller Exteriors, to determine if this can be done on your building. The last thing you want is your roof collapsing on your family due to overloading. Adequate support is needed to keep your building safe.
As for coating, your best option, if you’re not trying to make your roof complement your home’s architecture, is a light colored paint. This will help reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the metal roof. White is the most ideal as it reflects a great deal of UV light and heat back into space. For more advice on installing metal roofing, don’t hesitate to contact a professional roofer.
