4 Reasons to Choose Metal Roofs

Whether you’re recovering a structure or planning the roof design for a new building, metal roofing is a solid choice. Here are four reasons why.

Maintenance of the roof is another factor related to its durability. Each roofing type costs a percentage of its total installed cost to maintain over the lifetime of the roof.

The following  maintenance-cost comparisons  were reported by building owners for their steep slope roofing types in percentages:

Metal roofing requires only a fraction of the maintenance required by other popular commercial roofing materials. Metal roofing is nearly trouble-free after installation when compared to the time and labor needed to keep other roofs looking good.

Asphalt shingles last between  20 and 30 years  before they need replacing. EPDM roofs have a life span of 12 to 25 years. Metal roofs made of steel, aluminum, and zinc have a service life between 40 and 50 years. If you choose copper, your roof may last 100 years or more.

Roofing metal is available in flat and grooved sheets of varying thicknesses for installation on different roof slopes and architectural styles. The gauge of the metal sheet indicates its thickness. Sheets of smaller gauges are thicker than metal sheets in higher gauges.

Of course, the durability of a metal roof is only as good as the trusses and fasteners beneath the roofing. Have professionals install your metal roof for the best results.

When a metal roof is properly installed, it’s very weather-resistant. Individual asphalt shingles are prone to fly loose in high winds. In winter, ice dams force shingles open and allow water into structures.

Properly fastened metal panels are less likely to be picked up by high winds. Freezing ice and heavy rains slide away. Tree branches, hail, and other flying debris may dent metal, but blunt force from wind-swept items will rarely cause a breach that exposes roof decking. A membrane-type or asphalt shingle roof is more easily ripped apart by flying debris and hail.

Today, you can mitigate possible denting of metal roofing by ordering specially coated roofing sheets. These sheets are finished with a pebbled surface that deflects debris and hailstones.

Metal roofs also offer fire protection. Wood shake, asphalt, bitumen, and other roofing materials can easily catch fire from a large ember or flaming tree branch. Metal is less likely to ignite from sparks, flaming debris, and embers. A metal roof may be damaged by flames and flaming debris, but it is less likely to be the cause of a fire or breach into a building than other roofing types.

Depending on the gauge of the metal roofing you choose, it can be far lighter than asphalt shingles. For this reason, you can add more insulation to the roof area without risking the structural integrity of the framing and decking. An insulated building is a structure that stays cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

The flexibility of metal roofing allows you to add skylights for more natural illumination throughout your buildings. These room-brightening features help you save on energy costs throughout the year.

In fact, if you have a large-span building with a metal roof, firefighters encourage you to have accessible openings like skylights. Not only do the skylights brighten the space, but they also add convenient visualization and smoke-vent holes for fire rescue personnel if your building does ever ignite. Work with your roofing professionals to develop an energy-efficient, fire-safe roof, and you’re in sustainability territory.

Metal roofing covers a multitude of architectural sins. The metal can be configured and fastened to any shape or style of roof. A disjointed older commercial building with many roof pitches and gables can be given new life with the addition of a metal roof.

The tidy appearance of metal roofing contrasts wonderfully with rustic or historic homes that are now used for commercial enterprises. Have metal in the same color installed as an awning over a porch, patio, or covered pavilion to carry on a theme and add a cohesive look to your property.

The availability of products in vivid colors is another aesthetic advantage of metal roofing materials. Use painted or coated metal to highlight your business and enhance your image. Metal roofing can be installed to match your brand colors, your interior décor, or to make your structure stand out in a sea of buildings.

Use a light blue roof for a seafood restaurant or a forest green roof for your landscape company’s retail outlet. Copper roofing offers an upscale look with high-tech allure for office parks, research centers, and retail shops.

Contact  Berwald Roofing & Sheet Metal  today to schedule your metal roofing job in the Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota area.

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