Thinking about installing a metal roof on your house? When doing so, it’s natural to want to know how long the roof will last. Anything you buy these days has a time that will come where the thing becomes inoperable or plain worn out. Roofs are no different. Like cars, television sets, even the materials that comprise the rest of your home, one day those things will need to be replaced. When it comes to a metal roof, the significant investment you make is sure to outlast most or all of the things in and around your home. That’s because most metal roofs last between sixty to seventy years or more.
How Do Metal Roofs Last So Long?
Most roofs made of asphalt or even clay tile last between ten and thirty or forty years. Metal roofs are impervious to many things that shorten the lifespans of other types of roof systems like insect infestations, fire, rot, and storms. Not only does metal roofing last a long time, but metal roofs come with a host of benefits.9 Benefits of Metal Roofs
Benefit #1: Virtually Maintenance Free
You don’t need to continually scan your metal roof for insects or rot. In fact, once your metal roof is professionally installed, you won’t have to do much inspecting at all. That’s because a metal roof doesn’t require maintenance care. Do make a point to clear debris from your roof if any is visible. Doing so will keep water from pooling and keep your roof looking good as new.Benefit #2: Metal Roofs Are Safe
Metal roofs will not ignite into flames during a wildfire or following a lightning strike. That fact should help you rest easy once your metal roof is finally installed.Benefit #3: Environmentally Friendly
Metal is a sustainable material that contains a high portion of already recycled material. If your metal roof one day needs to be replaced, the panels and other roofing components can be melted down and used to create other metal roofs. Asphalt shingles by comparison would merely be tossed into a landfill if they ever became damaged or needed to be replaced.
Due to the extended longevity of your roof, you won’t find yourself replacing it every few years, which mitigates the use of fuel and heavy equipment. Everyone wins in the end. The metal roofing company gets the job for the installation, you as the homeowner get long-lasting protection from the elements, and the environment gets the protection it needs for a win-win-win situation.
Benefit #4: A Variety of Colors & Styles
Metal roofs can be incredibly stylish. Today’s metal roofs are light years beyond the old tin roofs of yesteryear. These days you can choose from zinc, tin, aluminum, copper, and galvanized steel. Not only can you choose your metal, but these roofs come in a dizzying array of colors and finishes, even different shapes. In fact, there are many more varieties of metal roofs than there are asphalt shingles. With shingles, you have ten to twenty options to choose from. Metal roofing can be found in over 100 colors, including premium and custom hues.
Metal roofing comes in a variety of styles also. Most metal roofing is made with traditional ribbed panels. This is otherwise referred to as standing seam construction. Of course, you also have the option of hiding the fact you have a metal roof. The roofing can be made to resemble slate, wood shakes, and clay tiles. You can choose to stand out or go with a look that is more traditional. Above all, you remain in control when it comes to the look, feel, and style of your metal roofing installation.
Benefit #5: Energy Efficient
The Metal Roofing Alliance has deemed metal one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials available. The metal panels installed on your roof can save your home up to 40% in energy savings. There are even specially made metal roofing panels that are designed to provide additional energy-saving benefits.
An unpainted metal roof will reflect more sun radiation than the standard asphalt roof, which tends to absorb and contain the heat of the day. Metal roofs reflect the energy from the sun, which helps your home stay cool during the hotter months.
Metal roofs are insulated more heavily than traditional roofs, which keeps energy from dissipating through your roofing panels. While your roof is reflecting the sun’s rays, it also keeps your home cool by sealing the energy inside. You will definitely see the savings reflected on your energy bill when you become the owner of a metal-roofed home.
Benefit #6: Can Be Installed Over Old Roofs
Metal roofing can be installed over an old asphalt roof. Doing so will eliminate the extra cost and hassle associated with shingle removal. This practice is referred as an overtop installation.
Benefit #7: Perfect for Any Season
If you feel you have to wait for the warmer months to have a metal roof installed, you couldn’t be more wrong. Metal roofs can be installed any time of year, even in the wintertime.
Benefit #8: Boosted Home Value
Steel roofs offer prime protection for your home while looking fashionable. Those two qualities contribute to a higher property value. With the energy savings, your roof will nearly pay for itself. And when it comes time to sell your home, you can make the money back you spent on installation because of your boosted home value.
Benefit #9: Save on Insurance
Insurance companies love homes topped with metal roofs. Those homes don’t have to worry about fire catching, insect infestations, and other problems that typically plague traditional roofing systems. Metal roofs often come with lower premiums on your home insurance. Ask your insurer about the benefits you will receive for installing a metal roof on your home.
What Kinds of Metal Roofs Are There?
Metal roofs can be found in a variety of metals and alloys. From galvanized steel and galvalume steel to aluminum, copper, and zinc, you will find that each roof has its own pros and cons.
Galvanized steel is a popular roofing option. One downside to galvanized steel is that it can corrode when exposed to moist, salty air.
Steel is another common metal roofing material that is used on homes and businesses, mainly due to the lower costs associated with installation. Steel can be coated with protective glazes to prevent corrosion. Galvanized and Galvalume steel roofs are pre-coated and pre-painted at the manufacturer level, making them installation-ready upon purchase.
The second most popular metal roofs are made of aluminum. Aluminum metal roofs are more durable and longer-lasting than steel roofs but come at a lower price than premium roofs like zinc and copper. Aluminum metal roofs are excellent for homes in coastal areas, as they don’t corrode as easily when exposed to consistent levels of sea spray.
Copper is a premium metal roofing option that can last for centuries. Copper roofs will set you back a hefty amount, which makes them prohibitively expensive for many homeowners.
There is hope for homeowners who want the look of a copper roof. Many homeowners opt for architectural details and roof accents that are made of copper, like porches, towers, and windows.
How to Extend the Life of Your Metal Roof
As a homeowner who is thinking about a metal roof install, you should know that there are steps you can take to guarantee a long life for your metal roof.
Get a Strong, Galvanized Steel Roof
While all metal roofs are designed to withstand the worst of Mother Nature’s wrath, some roofs are stronger than others. Aluminum and copper roofs are on the softer side. Steel is stronger and will hold up to heavy snow, ice, heavy rains, and falling debris.
You can ensure many decades of quality protection from your metal roof by ensuring it is made of galvanized steel. This material is impervious to harsh weather events like strong winds, hail, even hurricanes. Some residential metal roofing brands have impact ratings that can withstand tornado-faced winds.
Get the Longest Warranty You’re Offered
Metal roofs are usually warrantied for 40 years, which is already a longer warranty offered for similar roofing systems. Metal roofs will last for around sixty years or longer, which comes to around 30 cents per square foot.
Choose the Best Roofer for a Quality Installation
Make sure you call a qualified roofing service to install your metal roof. We recommend Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. Proudly serving the Cocoa and surrounding areas, we build our metal roofs so that they hold up and last for as long as you need. The quality of installation is vitally important to extend the longevity of your roof. Metal roofing consists of a series of steel panels and an entire system of clips and framing members that hold those panels together. The clips and frames must be precisely installed to give the metal panels enough wiggle room. This freedom of space allows the panels to expand and contract freely on account of any temperature fluctuations that occur throughout each day and from season to season.
Further, sealants and heavy-duty fasteners keep the panels properly aligned and mitigates the danger of corrosion occurring at the edges of the holes. Because of how intricate metal installations can be, only experienced roofing professionals are qualified to install your metal roof. Choosing a company like Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. can ensure your metal roof protects your home and lasts for many decades to come.
How Much Does a Metal Roof Cost?
A metal roof can provide you with decades of quality home protection. And you now know how to get the longest life possible from your metal roof. As far as cost, you can probably guess that metal panels are more expensive than asphalt shingles. However, you are getting many years of service from your roof, which makes the installation worth the cost.
Metal roofing panels can run from $120 to $900 per 100 square feet. You can expect the precision installation and labor costs to inflate the fees even higher. The bottom line is that a metal roof installation or replacement is a wise investment that will pay off in dividends as the years stretch on.
Ready to Have Your Metal Roof Installed?
Q: “Which is the Best Metal Roofing Company In & Near Cocoa, FL?
A: Direct Metal Roofing, Inc., Of Course!
When you are ready to have a metal roof installed, call Direct Metal Roofing, Inc. We service the areas in and around Cocoa, Florida, and provide all makes and styles of metal roofing. We take pride in our precision installations and offer metal roof warranties for your ultimate protection. Call today for a free estimate and get started on that new roof installation.
