Why would you even consider metal over asphalt in the first place?
By far, one of the most pressing problems with traditional fiberglass composition shingle aka asphalt is that it is a petroleum based product, which means that it is an inherently ecologically and environmentally unfriendly choice.
Unfortunately, there is no easy and effective way to dispose off all the asphalt shingle roofs that normally require a complete replacement every fifteen to twenty five years, other than to tear off the old shingles and send them to a landfill where they will be buried in the ground and left there to decompose for many decades to come.
Our view is that
Petroleum-based Products Should be Eliminated as Much as Possible, Not Recycled.
You don’t need to be a hardcore environmentalist to see how detrimental composition shingles products are to the nature and the environment. In fact, every year, some 20 billion pounds of old asphalt shingles are dumped into our landfills every year.
So, the big question comes up then, “what is an environmentally friendly and practical alternative to an asphalt shingle roof?”.
The answer is simple; for the last few decades metal roofing has been steadily gaining market share and popularity as a sustainable and energy efficient roofing material of choice for savvy homeowners.
Depending on the profile, metal roofs can last two to three times longer than composition shingles roofs. Compare that to conventional asphalt shingles that tend to last between 15 to 25 years.
A metal roof, on the other hand, can last well over 35-50 years when properly installed. The key to a long lasting metal roof is a strict adherence to your system’s manufacturer installation guidelines.
Metal vs. Shingles Installation Video:
Installing a metal roof correctly involves a thorough preparation of the roof deck, proper application of underlayment, and a correct installation of a steel or aluminum shingles or standing seam panels.
Whether you hire a professional installer, or choose to go do it yourself route, be sure to follow all the installation instructions thoroughly. — This way your new metal roof will actually perform as it should, lasting for many decades, while providing energy savings, maintenance free roof protection, and a durable and long lasting beauty.
Here are a few more reasons to consider a metal roof for your home:
Metal is reliable and long lasting green building material, which means that you can earn green building credits for the installation of an energy efficient metal roof that is rated by a Cool-Roof rating council and Energy Star for its solar reflective properties.
A metal roof can also help lower your homeowner’s insurance by as much as 35% in some states like Texas. Metal roofs are fire retardant, which means they do not support fire. This can be a significant factor if you live in a heavily wooded area.
Metal roofs can withstand powerful storms and category four hurricane winds. Stone coated steel roofs can withstand category 5 hurricanes and some of the largest hail storms with hail stones larger than 2.5 inches in diameter. This may be very helpful if you live in a hurricane prone area or an area that frequently experiences severe hail storms like Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, Montana, etc.
Metal roofs provide excellent protection in cold climates. Coated with specialty coatings, metal roofs shed snow and ice, which can help prevent ice dams from forming on the roof.
As far as home exterior’s aesthetics and curb appeal go, modern metal roofs may add a unique touch of style and either modern or traditional (depending on your choice of a system) architectural touch to your home.
You can choose from a wide array of traditional metal shingles and shake profiles available in many beautiful colors, to the vertically-oriented or raised lines of standing seam metal panels that can easily be enhanced with seamlessly-integrated PV solar modules or thin film photovoltaics aka peel and stick laminates that can work great for roofs with larger span/surface area. — A combination of standing seam and solar will help make your house not only energy efficient, but also capable of generating its own electricity from the ever-abundant solar energy. 😉
Do not let the initially higher cost of metal to deter you from choosing this energy efficient, durable, and long lasting roofing option for your home. Remember that metal roofing will help you lower your cooling costs, appraise the value of your property, and provide many years of reliable and worry free service to you.
