Whenever you’re constructing a new building, you need to consider the roof. Roofs are also major components of the cost of repairing existing houses. When you are choosing a roof, you need to consider appearance, expense, durability, and the length of time that you intend to continue living in the house. Depending on your needs, metal roofs may be a good option for you.

Most people associated metal roofs with cheap corrugated tin in previous years. However, modern residential metal roofing is much more aesthetically attractive and functional, with all of the advantages that current technology can provide. They are extremely durable, highly resistant to fire and high winds, lightweight, easy to install, and good at reflecting heat away. On the other hand, they tend to be expensive, don’t provide good insulation, can dent or chip, and make noise in rain and hail storms.

Metal roofs are very resistant to wind damage, such as from hurricanes, and so are an appealing option in areas vulnerable to wind damage. Metal types of roofing also receive the highest fire retardant rating. As such, homes with metal roofs may have a higher asset value, and enjoy lower insurance rates.

Metal roofs reflect heat from the sun, reducing the costs of cooling the house during the summer. On the flip side, metal roofs are not good insulators. However, proper installation of dead space beneath the roof, and between the underlying components, can make up for metal roofing’s poor inherent insulation. Special sound deadening insulation can reduce loud noise from rain and hail. Another factor when considering a metal roof is that heat can cause expansion and contraction, sometimes detaching the structural restraints.

The lightness of metal roofs can reduce construction costs decreasing the amount of support members needed for them. Low weight can also mean that metal roofing can be installed over an existing roof in need of replacement without having to tear it off, saving time and money. Since metal types often come in sheets covering a fairly larger area, installation takes less time. However, large sections may be harder to replace if that becomes necessary and may be hard to match if an addition is built.

The greatest barrier to the use of metal roofs is the expense, since the cost definitely falls into the premium price range. However, discount metal roofing is available, and in any case the very long lifespan may make metal effective cheaper than roofs that seem to be a bargain. For metal, a lifespan of 20 to 50 years is the normal expectation. Metal may well outlive the rest of the house. The longer you plan to stay in a home, the greater bargain metal becomes.

Residential metal roofing has become more popular because it is lightweight, fire resistant, wind resistant, very long lasting and now even attractive. While metal roofs are still more expensive than most other types, they are more affordable than ever and discount metal roofing is available as well. The higher initial cost may be offset by lower maintenance costs and less need for replacement over the life of a house. Construction costs may also be less since these need less support. Metal can reflect the sun to make summer cooling less expensive and are easily insulated for winter warmth.

- Ryan McCall

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Real Estate. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.