Metal Roofing, What You Need to Know

Metal roofs have been around for centuries. Its first edition was in copper and was used for monumental buildings of significance, for example, Roman Pantheon and Sri Lanka's Lovemahapaya temple. Since it can be designed to look like other roofs, it is quite a good choice for any style of architecture.

Today they are mostly made of steel or aluminum, which are economical materials, but there are plenty to choose from. Metal roofs have been increasingly used over the past ten years because of all their advantages, such as longevity, easy installation, and the fact that it saves you some money on cooling bills. There are, however, some drawbacks. We prepared this article as your guide to metal roofing to show you the whole picture.

The pros of Metal Roofs

When we talk about any roof, it must last for as long as possible. In this field, metal roofs are absolute winners. If you get a good contractor to install it right, you can expect your roof to last over 60 years. Heavy rain, wind, and snow have nothing on the metal roof. It is also fire-resistant, which is great for your safety. Next off, it is straightforward to install and repair.

You will not have to wait for weeks to have your roof installed. Because it is lightweight, metal panels or shingles are easy to work with. This also saves you the money you would have to use for extra labor and building something to support the roof. Another good point for saving money is that metal reflects heat from the sun, which means that you will not be air conditioning excessively. 

Cons of Metal Roofs

We find the most significant disadvantage to being denting. Metal roofs are prone to denting, just like any other metal construction is. Of course, there are differences in the types of metal materials. For example, copper is much softer and more sensitive than steel.

The same goes for aluminum. The thing that almost all metal roof owners complain about is noise. No matter how well metal sheds in excessive snow or rain, this type of roof isn't recommended for people living in rainy climates. However, the sound of rain tapping can be softened by implementing sound-deading and structural barriers.

Unfortunately, even though they can last for a long time, metal roofs are easy to damage, and when they are damaged, they are hard to repair, especially if we talk about metal panels instead of shingles. This goes along with the expansion and contractions of the metal in summer and winter. Because they can expand and contract, they can look uneven.

And finally, we can't go without mentioning the costs of installing metal roofs. You will need about $140 to $600 per square, which means you may have better options if you are not sure you will stay in that house.

When combined...

When we combine all the pluses and the minuses, we conclude that metal roofs are a great type of roof you plan to stay in your house for a long time. If they are constructed well, and all the measures are taken to reduce noise or dent, they are easy to take care of. Without further ado, think well before you decide on a metal roof!