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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle | Posted under Home Improvement
The Advantages And Drawbacks Of Metal Roofs
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Businesses have long relied on the low cost and high durability of metal roofs, but the popularity of metal roofs on ordinary homes is a more recent phenomenon. Metal roofs certainly do have a number of important advantages, and there is a reason they are becoming such a popular choice. One of the most important advantages of a metal roof, of course, is that the expected life of that roof can be much longer than the life of other types of roofing materials. A properly installed metal roof can last for many decades, and the warranties on most metal roofs are at least 20 years, with some stretching to as long as 50 years. Although metal roofs are not often thought of as lightweight, in fact at between 50 and 150 pounds per square (equal to 100 square feet), metal roofing materials are lighter in weight than popular alternatives like tile (750 pounds) or concrete tile (900 pounds). Ease of installation is another important benefit of metal roofs. Most metal roof materials are sold either in sheets or in multi-shingle sections, and a good roofing contractor should be able to install these sections very quickly. In areas of the country where the weather is unpredictable, shortening the installation time of a roof by even a day or two can make a big difference. As more and more homeowners move into the country and forest fires become more and more of a reality, those homeowners have come to appreciate the fire resistance of metal roofs. Metal roofs are non-combustible, and because of this fact they have earned a Class A rating for being the most fire resistant roofing material. Metal roofs are also good at reflecting the heat of the sun, thereby minimizing heat gain and reducing the need for expensive air conditioning in hot climates. Even though metal roofs are rated low in insulation value, many metal roofing systems use the dead air space in between the metal and the roof deck to provide for greater energy efficiency. Metal roofs also require minimal roof pitch to be effective. Those will low pitched roof often choose the convince of metal for this very reason. The typical minimum roof pitch required for a metal roof installation is 3 to 12, making it a good choice for many roofs. Of course no roofing material is perfect, and there are a number of disadvantages shoppers should be aware of as well. Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of metal roofs for many shoppers is the cost. The cost of a metal roof can be more than other roofing materials, so those homeowners who plan to move in a few years may be unable to recoup the cost of a new metal roof. Metal roofs can also be somewhat noisy, especially when it rains. Some people do not mind the noise, but others do. As with every home improvement decision, it is important for the homeowner to take his or her own preferences into account. There are ways to control noise when installing metal roofs, so it is important to investigate the noise factor if you think it may be an issue. Metal roofs can also be prone to denting, especially in a hailstorm. Again, some metal roofing materials are more resistant to denting than others, so it pays to shop around and choose the right roof if this is a concern. About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on roofing ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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