A house without a roof is worth just as much as a jar without a lid: its practicality is close to zero. If you’re building or re-doing a roof for the first time in your life, it is important to weigh out the pros and cons of certain roof materials, as not every material guarantees longevity or the result you may expect to see. While the most common roofing materials are wood, asphalt, and tile, there are also metal roofing options, like steel and aluminum. So, what do you need to know before you make a decision whether or not you should do metal roofing?
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There Are Many Pros To Using Metal As Your Preferred Material
- Unless you install your roof over wood shingles, metal roofs have a Class A fire rating, meaning they are noncombustible. Metal can also not rot or be eaten away by insects. Shedding due to snow and wind is minimal, and it is also water-resistant, making leaking a problem of the past. A standard metal roofing is expected to last 30-50 years.
- Weight. A concrete tile weighs 700-1000 pounds per square tile, while a metal roofing ranges from 100 to 200 pounds. This means that if you ever decide to redo your metal roofing, you can install new tiles directly on top of new tiles without fear of the roof collapsing.
- Heat resistance. Although metal itself gets hot in the sun, it also reflects heat from whatever is underneath, making it perfect for houses in the south.
- Easy installation. Because of its weight and compactness, the process of installing a metal roof is also quite easy and quick, especially considering you’re paying less for the shortage of labor involved. It is, however, advised that you hire a reputable roofing contractor who is familiar with the roofing system and provides insurance coverage, like Legacy Service, because the outcome depends on skilled construction just as much as the material.
However, There Are Also Some Cons
- There are people get easily irritated by the sound of tapping on metal tiles. While some people find it soothing, others find that sounds such as rain may resemble a drum roll. Noise can be controlled with structural barriers applied over sound-deadening insulation and solid sheathing.
- Just as cars dent with a good kick, metal roofs tend to dent with impact, too. Dents depend on the type of construction supporting the roof tiles and the specific strength of the metal used, as well as the thickness of the tiles. While a bird hitting your roof may not cause a dent, walking may, and if you need any adjustments on the roof of your house, or even just getting your chimney cleaned, then your tiles might bend if you didn’t take the necessary precautions discussed with your roofing contractor beforehand.
- While the price of the installation and the maintenance may be lower, the price of metal roofing per square foot ranges anywhere from 100 to 600 dollars, so, while it evens out long-term, it may be a big initial investment.
The Conclusion
Roofing is an important step in sealing and securing your home. Whatever your final decision of material may be, it is important to outweigh all personal preferences, pros, and cons beforehand, as well as get an unbiased opinion from a good, reputable roofer for your specific home and area, before finalizing the process.
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