Metal roof raindrops have become an appealing sound for white noise machines and meditation apps; but that isn’t the sole reason more homeowners are opting for this construction material in their homes.
Metal roofing was once restricted to sheds and barns or standing seam applications on historical or heritage buildings; today there is an array of styles available that complement any architectural style.
Durability
Metal roofs are one of the main draws to them when selecting roofing material for replacement or new builds, offering long-term warranties from 30-50 years with most manufacturers backing their product warranties.
Metal roofs boasting durable coatings that reflect heat from the sun instead of absorbing it like traditional shingle roofs, keeping homes cool in summer heatwaves. Furthermore, these roofs protect homes against rainwater intrusion as well as salty sea air penetration and high winds.
Most residential metal roofs are constructed from steel, aluminum or copper and feature 24- or 26-gauge sheets coated in zinc-tin alloy (galvanized, galvalume or weathering) to ward off corrosion.
Some metal roofing is manufactured using thinner gauges in order to lower costs, but be wary as these thinner metals offer less dent protection and could pose issues in areas with frequent hailstorms. Also check with your home insurance company before making your purchase to see if there is an available discount for metal roofs.
Energy efficiency
Reflective metal roofs can help keep your home at an ideal temperature without turning up the air conditioning, saving money and energy – especially during the hotter summer months when air conditioning costs tend to skyrocket. This can significantly cut energy costs.
Metal has an atomic structure which renders it highly emissive when heated, radiating any excess heat back out into the atmosphere instead of trapping it inside your home and increasing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions generated by HVAC systems. This can help significantly lower overall emissions.
Metal roofs can also increase energy efficiency by being better at keeping rain and snow off of the sheathing of your home, thus decreasing how much water will have to be pumped from roof drainpipes into drains.
Curb appeal
Curb appeal is often the first impression potential buyers form of your home, so having a new roof installed can increase its curb appeal and boost resale value.
Metal roofs can be an excellent way to enhance the aesthetics of your home’s curb appeal, as they come in various styles that mimic traditional shingle styles or other roofing materials. Furthermore, you can customize its appearance for modern styling to give it an appealing aesthetic and clean exterior appearance.
Homeowners increasingly opt to add decorative features like cupolas and finials to their metal roofs in order to increase curb appeal and make them more inviting. Though these additions may appear minor, they can make an enormous impactful statement about your home.
Enhance the curb appeal of your home by matching its architectural style to the roof type you select, for example a metal shingle roof may pair well with Craftsman architecture while standing seam metal roofs suit modern homes.
Installation
Metal roofs are resilient and eye-catching; however, their installation requires special skills. Therefore, professional installers should be used.
Before installing metal panels on any surface, they must first be properly prepared by clearing away humps and depressions and sweeping and cleaning it to remove fasteners or debris that might exist on it. Furthermore, it’s essential to use the correct screw gun speed setting – overdriven screws can damage washers as well as the panels themselves.
Install the ridge cap so it covers both sides of the roof evenly. Use a chalk line to connect all marks, then run sealant tape along it until reaching each one. Finally, add a closure strip that fits securely over its contours.
