By: Viraj Shah
Though asphalt shingles are the popular type of roofing, more home and business owners are turning to metal shingles for their properties. Metal roofing has a number of benefits over roofing made from other materials. Here are some of them.
They Are Very Long-Lived
Possibly the main benefit of a metal roof is its long lifespan. Some metal roofs, especially those made of aluminum or steel, have been known to last as long as 70 years or even longer. Depending on the quality of its shingles, an asphalt roof may need to be replaced every 12 to 25 years. Metal roofs tend to keep their good looks throughout the years, which isn’t necessarily true of asphalt or wood shingle roofs.
Metal Roofs Are Tough
Metal roofs are also better for climates where difficult weather is common. These include places that are regularly affected by rainstorms and high winds. A metal roof that’s been properly installed and is well-maintained can tolerate winds that blow as much as 140 miles an hour. This is the wind strength of a category 4 hurricane.
Metal roofs are also less likely to be damaged by hail, and they are ideal for places subject to wildfires, as they don’t burn and have a Class A fire rating.
Metal Roofs Are Energy Efficient
Though metal roofs may cost more to install, they make up for the cost with their energy efficiency. This is because they bounce heat away from the house, and keep it cooler in the summer. A cooler home is a great benefit in places where summers are especially hot. Not only this, metal roofs are often installed in ways where air is allowed to circulate between the roof itself and the metal panels. This is called a batten system, and it also keeps the home cooler. Because the homeowner doesn’t need to run their air conditioning as much, a metal roof is believed to save as much as 40 to 50 percent in energy bills.
They Are Sustainable and Ecofriendly
Millions of tons of discarded asphalt shingles clog landmarks every year, but every bit of a metal roof can be recycled. Not only this, but nowadays even a new metal roof is made of at least one-quarter of recycled metal. A metal roof can even be put over the old roof without having to take off the old shingles and take them to the landfill. Metal roofs can also be coated in ways that discourage moss and mold which would otherwise need to be scoured away using such harsh chemicals as muriatic acid. All in all, metal roofs have a smaller carbon footprint than roofs made of asphalt or other materials.
Metal Roofs Are Beautiful
What puts off some homeowners from metal roofs is that they’ve come to believe these roofs are unattractive. When they think of metal roofs they think of the rusting roofs of old barns, outhouses, factories, or other industrial buildings. However, contemporary metal roofs now come in a variety of styles and colors that make a building look very attractive indeed. Metal can even be made into shingles that mimic those made of asphalt.
Published by: Khy Talara
