Metal roofing installation is booming, and it’s not just for businesses and barns. It’s becoming a popular choice for residential roofs as well. A metal roof is an attractive, modern, eco-friendly, and durable choice for your home.
Within the last few years, we’re seeing our customers’ interest in metal roofing grow exponentially, and industry-wide trends show the same thing.
If you’re preparing to reroof your home, there’s a good chance you’re curious about the lifespan of metal roofs, standing seam metal roof cost, and similar questions.
Understanding Metal Roofs
A few types of metal roofs exist:
- Corrugated Metal – Constant waving of metal
- Standing Seam Metal – Two panel edges meet and are vertically interlocked
- Metal tiles – Layers of rounded metal pieces laid overtop of each other
These forms of metal roofing can be composed of these different materials:
- Galvalume coated steel
- Galvanized steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Zinc
- Copper
Both the best style and composition for your roof would depend on your climate, budget, and aesthetic goals.
1) Longevity
Depending on the material and type of metal roof you install, it can last between 40-100 years!
2) Sustainability
Metal is recyclable! Asphalt shingle and rubber roofs must be disposed, not able to be used again. Unlike those options, metal roofs don’t produce hardly any waste as they can be recycled and used for new future products.
Most of the components that metal roofs are made of are either recycled, aluminum, or natural materials, like zinc and copper.
Metal roofs reflect heat which could dramatically cut your energy costs, depending on the season!
3) Noise
For most people interested in metal roofs, one thing they are looking forward to is hearing the rain through your home or business. However, if you have never been in a structure with a metal roof during a rainstorm, you may not be aware of this element. Consider this before signing your contract!
4) Price & Warranties
We recommend discussing the warrantied lifespan of metal roofing options, and compare it to the warrantied lifespan of asphalt shingles, or if it’s a low-pitch roof, rubber or TPO.
A roofing contractor can provide an estimate for a shingle replacement and a metal replacement. This, along with all the factors above, can help you determine if this is the smartest financial investment for your home. They can also help you understand how you can actually save money over time by choosing metal!
Maintaining a Metal Roof
Upkeep for metal roofing is pretty minimal. It is important to keep up with surface maintenance, meaning you do not need to bring a professional to perform an inspection, and structural maintenance as needed. Some of these tasks may require you to get on a ladder, so be cautious of the height and slope of your roof! Metal is especially slick after rain or snow.
Surface Roof Maintenance
Surface maintenance items are to be performed about once/year and include:
- Clear the roof free of debris, like branches and leaves.
- Monitor severity of stains. If they aren’t cleaning with rain, consider repainting/recoating.
- Clean gutters and downspouts. The frequency of this will vary depending on tree coverage and if you have gutter guards.
- Look for penetrations, scratches, chipping or fading. For smaller knicks, the issue can likely be resolved with a touch-up paint pen. Yet, larger issues may need a professional to inspect, ensuring the imperfection isn’t going to cause further damage.
Structural Roof Maintenance
Structural maintenance is ensuring the integrity of the metal roof and its elements. These items typically require the eye of a professional roofer. Once every 2 years or so is a baseline frequency recommendation. However, the timeline you should follow greatly depends on your environment.
Extreme heat or cold, high winds, high humidity (coastal), rain, snow, and hail are factors you must consider. The more you have on the list, the more frequent you should have your roof’s integrity inspected.
You’ll want to have these elements inspected:
- Fasteners, rivets, and screws
- Loosened or separated panels
- Flashing
- Sealant around vent pipe boots
- Looking for punctures and identifying the severity
Why Choose Metal?
Metal roofing isn’t for everyone. You may want to consider upgrading your roof replacement to metal if:
- You want your new roof to last 50+ years, likely being the last roof you’ll have to purchase
- You want to increase the property value of your home
- You want a sustainable, eco-friendly roof option
These are just a few reasons why you should install a metal roof for your home or for your commercial property.
Talk to Metal Roofing Experts
Located in Elizabethtown, PA, in Lancaster County, Joyland Roofing specializes in metal roofing. If you are in Southcentral or Southeastern, PA, We can schedule for you to speak with a sales consultant who can provide you with a free estimate with options!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in March 2020 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in February 2021.
Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor License (HIC) # PA124258