Advantages & Types of Metal Roofs
Metal Roofing is an alternative to shingles and other commercial roofing options. Below you’ll find helpful information on what the benefits are of choosing metal roofing for your next roofing project and what types of metal roofing is available.
Advantages of Your New Metal Roofing
- Expected life. Properly installed, a metal roof should last as long as the house or business, completely sealing out water, surviving high winds, and easily shedding snow. Metal is resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot. Warranties vary widely, but most companies strongly back their products for 20 to 50 years.
- Weight. Metal roofing is lightweight. Most varieties run from 50 to 150 pounds per square. Some types of metal shingle systems may be applied over one or two existing roofs without the need for tear-off or additional structural support. In fact, if you’re building a house or an addition, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members.
- Speed & ease of roofing installation. Most metal roofing materials come in sheets or are roll formed. An accomplished contractor can install these quickly. If your roof is stripped off and a storm is on the way, shortening the process by a day or two may prove to be a critical advantage.
- Fire resistance. Because metal roofs are noncombustible, they’re given a Class A fire rating (the most resistant). Part of a roof’s classification depends on materials beneath the surface that could ignite in intense heat, so some metal roofs applied over an old combustible roof, such as wood shingles, may be rated lower.
- Energy Savings. Metal reflects radiant heat from the sun, minimizing midday heat gain. Though the material itself is low in insulation R-value, many systems utilize a dead-air space between the metal and roof deck to increase energy efficiency.
- Minimal roof pitch. Most metal roofing materials can be installed on gently pitched roofs without danger of leaking. Minimum roof pitch is 3-in-12 (the roof rises 3 inches for each horizontal foot).
Types of Metal Roofs
- Corrugated Roofing Panels – Corrugated roofing panels are used more for agricultural buildings. These panels have wavy ridges. They are not recommended to use in commercial and residential applications.
- Standing Seam Metal Roof Panels – These roofing panels have a seam at one end and on the other side of the panel, there is a lock, which is installed with clips. The name comes from the seam where the panels are joined together. The seam is higher than the drainage level of the roof and where the seam is turned up, offers a virtual water tight seal. A quality roofing company will produce their own roofing panels by roll-forming the panels and custom cutting the panels according to the dimensions of the project. This type of roofing is very sturdy and withstands snow and heavy weather.
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Now that you’re armed with the information needed to understand the advantages of metal roofing, you’re ready to get your estimates. Click below to get started with the estimate process.
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About Us--Royalty Companies is a Metal Roofing Contractor installing standing seam metal roofing primarily in the Midwest.