Nowadays, there are multiple types of roofing materials to choose from to match the vision of your ideal home. From asphalt shingles to clay tiles, there are so many options. Today, we want to hone in on one roofing material that offers your home a unique look and provides you with a durable, modernised roof. We’re referring to a metal roof!
Metal roofing is one of the strongest roof options available. It’s often lighter than other roofing materials and twice as durable. But still, before you make a decision on what type of roof you want, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of them all. Here they are for metal roofing.
Advantages
As you can imagine, having a metal roof definitely comes with some advantages. Here are some of them:
They have a long lifespan
In comparison to roofing materials like asphalt shingles, metal roofing has a much longer lifespan, If you consider your standard three-tab shingles, which have a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, and architectural shingles, which have a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, metal roofing trumps both with a lifespan of about 40-80 years if well looked after. This makes it well worth the investment.
They are durable
Following on from the point above, one reason metal roofing has such a good lifespan is its durability. Metal roofing is often made from tin, aluminium, zinc, copper, stone-coated steel, or steel. All of these materials are fairly resistant to extreme weather conditions like hail, heavy snow, and high winds, and they manage heat like a dream, reflecting it away from your home instead of absorbing it and making you cook inside.
Can increase curb appeal
Many people still associate metal roofs with those ancient tin sheets used 80 years ago. Trust us when we say metal roofing has come a long way since then! Nowadays, metal roofing is designed to be much more sleek and attractive, adding to your home’s curb appeal.
There are a variety of metal roofing styles you can choose from today, from traditional zinc roofing sheets to shake-inspired roofing tiles, panels, and ribbed roofing. Stone-coated metal roofing is also a big hit. It provides the appearance of natural stone but with a metal plate as the backbone, giving it reliability and durability.
More eco-friendly
Metal roofing is also a more sustainable option. Asphalt shingles take up about a 12 billion square feet of space in landfills every year. On the other, metal roofing has a longer lifespan, so you wont need to worry about replacing it soon. And, it can also be melted down and recycled into new roof sheets to be reused.
Energy efficient
During the hot Australian summer, it can be tempting to run the AC 24/hours a day. That said, your electricity bill might be through the roof at the end of the month. With a metal roof, you can cut this bill down quite significantly.
Remember, metal reflects like, so, when the sun shines on it, instead of absorbing its heat and transferring it to the house below, it’’ll reflect it back outwards away from the house. In doing so, this will keep the house relatively cool.
Safe
Many people tend to steer clear of metal roofing because they think it’ll attract bad weather or not fair to well in it. The opposite is true, though. When you have a high-quality metal roof installed, it should add to your house’s safety and security. Metal roofing also has a class-A rating, which means it won’t burn if there’s a fire or assist the flames in spreading either.
Drawbacks
Like most things, there are some drawbacks to metal roofs as well, such as:
Slightly expensive
A quality metal roof is slightly more expensive than some other roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, for example. Because of this, it might not be the most affordable option for all people. The price can also climb higher depending on the design of the roof you wish to build. For example, if your roof’s pitch is higher, you’ll need more materials to cover it.
Can dent
While metal roofing is extremely durable, with enough impact or force it can dent or bend in certain areas. Steel roofs don’t really struggle with this as much but if you purchase zinc roofing, you may have some issues. From hail storms to large branches falling from trees, these things could cause dents are damage your paint work on the roof if they hit with enough force.
Noisy
Without the proper insulation, any roof is going to be quite noisy when it rains. That said, metal roofs, especially zinc or tin roofs, are particularly noisy when it rains. However, with decent insulation, this shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Prone to rust
This is a big drawback. Metal rusts. If you live near the ocean and you have a metal roof, rust is going to be a real challenge for you. Metal roofs are usually coated with a product to make them less susceptible to rust. Over time, the effectiveness of this product fades, and your roof might begin to rust, and once it starts, it spreads. To avoid this, you might need to recoat your roof with the same product used prior or replace that roof sheet with a new one.
Looking for metal roofing?
Now that you’ve been able to consider the advantages and disadvantages, are you looking for a reputable roofing company from which to get your metal roofing? Consider AMJ Metal Roofing. Give them a call, and they’ll answer any questions you may have as well as get you started on the road to purchasing your metal roof.
Final Thoughts
With these in mind, you’ll be able to weigh up whether purchasing and installing a metal roof is the ideal choice for your home. Remember to factor in budget, climate, and your home’s design when you’re deciding on what material to choose too. Happy shopping!