Metal Roofing for Your Home
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An increasingly popular alternative to traditional roofing materials, metal roofs are highly durable and require little to no maintenance. Better yet, metal can be applied over old shingles, making it easier and less expensive to install. Here is some more information.
Costs
The price of installing a metal roof depends on the type and quality of the metal used, as well as the cost of labor. Steel costs $3-$7.50 per square foot, aluminum costs $7-$9 per square foot, and copper is the most expensive at $11-$12 per square foot—all including the cost of labor. Get a couple price quotes from licensed roofers to get a better idea of the cost.
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Metal RoofPros
Metal roofs are lightweight, maintenance-free, and can survive high winds.
They are fireproof and energy-efficient.
Metal roofs can be applied over old shingles, eliminating the cost of tearing off old shingles.
Cons
Metal roofing has a steep installation cost.
Noise from rain or hail can be amplified with a metal roof.
Metal roofs can dent and become a hazard to walk on, as they are slippery when wet.
Durability
Metal is an extremely durable building material, and therefore a great choice for roofing. They are expected to last more than 30 years and often come with a lifetime warranty.
Maintenance
The vast majority of metal roofing materials are maintenance free. You may want to consider applying a Polyvinylidene Fluoride to protect your roof from extreme weather conditions, chemical corrosion, and UV light. Other than that, your roof should be set for years to come.
Common Questions and Answers
What are some of the metals that are commonly used for metal roofing and what’s the difference between them?
Both durable and lighter weight, the two most common metal roofing materials are painted aluminum and steel. These can be fashioned to look like tile or slate, which is almost cost prohibitive because it is so rare and difficult to find. Other metal options are copper and stainless steel, but the cost of these materials is often beyond the budget of most homeowners.
Aluminum is gaining in popularity because it doesn’t rust, is easily formed to look like cedar shakes, tiles and slate, and because it deafens the sound of rain hitting the roof. The simulated cedar shakes are the most popular, particularly because they are amazingly difficult to distinguish from real cedar shakes. Aluminum is also available in many standard colors and in several energy efficient paint options. In addition, most aluminum and steel roofs are painted with Kynar, a dense, pure plastic.
Why are metal roofs considered to be more energy efficient than other roofing materials?
Metal minimizes the heat gain from the sun’s radiant heat to keep homes cooler in the summer months. In addition, metal roofs often utilize the dead-air space between the metal and roof deck to increase the overall energy efficiency.
Materials
History
Surprisingly enough, the first known metal roof was a copper roof built in 970 B.C. on a temple in Jerusalem. Metal roofing peaked in popularity when Robert L. Merwin & Co. began importing metal for buildings in the late 1800’s, making the material drop in price.
References
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