One efficient way to protect your home or commercial building is by installing a metal roof. If you live in an area where it is a norm to have extreme weather such as blazing sun, winter storms, sudden and quick temperature changes, or heavy snowfall, it would be ideal to invest in a metal roof.
However, if you are considering investing in a metal roof installation, it would be important that you take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing. In this article, The Anchorage Roofers will be exploring the pros and cons of metal roofing, and also giving details on what to know about metal roofing in Anchorage.
About Metal Roofing
Over the years, metal roofing has been confirmed to be more durable when compared to other available roofing options. This has given metal roofing an advantage of low life cycle cost.
The panels of metal roofs are versatile, sleek, and aesthetically appealing. Even with the contemporary presence, the panels of the metal roof wonderfully transition to complement rustic, industrial, and traditional style properties. Another good thing is that you are not stuck with just one color of metal roofing. You have a wide variety of color options to choose from.
It is expected that if properly installed, a metal roof should be able to endure high winds, prevent water from penetrating the roof system, and even be able to last as long as the building. Metal is resistant to algae staining, insects, moss growth, rot, and even fire.
The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing in Anchorage
PROS
Durability: The lifespan of metal roofs is longer when compared to most of the other roofing materials out there. Although some repairs may become necessary over time, a properly installed metal roof will not need a replacement for decades. The average lifespan of asphalt roofs is between 12 and 20 years, whereas a metal roof can last for up to 70 years. If you plan to live in a house for most of your life, then a metal roof should be considered.
Because metal roofs are built to withstand extreme conditions, they are important in areas like Anchorage, Alaska, especially because they can remain strong during the harsh winter months. There are metal roofs that are strong enough to sustain gusts that are as high as 140 miles per hour.
- It saves money: One of the things that metal roofs do a great job at is saving you money in your home energy costs. Metal roofs do not absorb heat and are known to reflect solar radiant heat. This can reduce the cost of cooling your household significantly.
- Energy Efficient: While there is a maintenance cost that comes with metal roofs, it is a cheap endeavor when compared to other roofing materials. Getting a metal roofing material that’s impact-resistant will also further reduce your maintenance cost because it can stand up to high winds and violent storms without corroding or cracking.
- Safety: Metals roofs are known to protect buildings against disasters like wildfires and lightning. This is mainly because metal roofs cannot burst into flames.
- Material options: Opting for a metal roof offers you a wide variety of material options that you can choose from including zinc, galvanized steel, aluminum, and aluminum-coated steel. Metal panels usually come are often layered with applied coatings that have been baked-on by the factory. They can also come as bar steel with a clear coat that has weather-protective property. Each of these material options offers unique properties that could be of benefit to your climate and home.
- A Green Material: The materials with which metal roofs are manufactured are made up of between 25%-95% of recycled content. This means that when the metal roof is no longer usable, the material can still be recycled or used for other applications. When you compare it to shingles which have been known to create as much as 20 billion pounds of waste every year when it reaches the end of its lifecycle, you would agree that metal roofing is a better option. Using a metal roof instead can be your way of doing your part to help the environment.
CONS
- High Initial expense: When installing a metal roof, you may be spending two or three times more than other roofing alternatives. But you must also remember that the lifespan of a metal roof is two or three times longer than these alternative roofs. Therefore, it still makes for a great investment, especially if you plan to live in the building for a long time.
- Noisy: When compared to other types of roofing materials, metal roofs tend to be slightly noisier. Hail, heavy rain, and limbs can cause louder sounds on metal roofing. You may need to keep this in mind if you don’t care for noise overhead or if you are a light sleeper.
- Possible damage: When a metal room is not installed or repaired properly, there is a risk of water pooling. Accumulation of water in a metal roof can cause serious and costly damage to it. Also, some climates can cause the metal roof to rust over time. In some cases, damage can be caused by heavy hail.
- May loosen: Metal roofing is affected by contraction and expansion because of outdoor temperature changes over the seasons. For this reason, to prevent the larger panels of the metal roofing from loosening over time, it is important that a metal roof is installed properly to allow for breathing.
Take Advantage of the Benefits of Metal Roofing
From the facts given here, it is obvious that the benefits of installing metal roofing to your building far outweigh the disadvantages. Should you decide to go for metal roofing, it is important that you take time to do more extensive research especially when it comes to the company you’re going to hire to do the roofing installation. Reputable contractors will meet with you for free and discuss what they have available. Then, you can decide if a metal roof is your best option.