Metal Roofing - Good Looking and Durable
DEAR SALLY: Tin metal roofing was immensely popular in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Labor was inexpensive at that time and there was an abundance of craftsmen who could easily install the material. Metal roofing systems are still available and great strides have been taken to simplify their installation. Metal roofing also has a history of proven performance. Simple flat seam metal roofs have been found in buildings dated to 3,000 B.C.
Metal roofing is a superb material for residential buildings. If you choose the right system, you can get a roof that will easily last your lifetime and quite possible an additional 50 years or so. Expect to pay for this performance, however. Metal roofing is pricey. A metal roof can cost at least three to four times what you might expect to pay for a high quality asphalt shingle installation.
There are numerous advantages to using metal roofing. First of all, it is totally fireproof. If you live in an area that experiences wildfires, a metal roof just might save your home from a devastating roof fire caused by a wind blown ember. Metal roofs are made with environmentally friendly recyclable metals, such as steel, tin, aluminum and copper. A house with a metal roof can be extremely distinctive. When installed correctly, metal roofs are extremely wind resistant. A light colored metal roof can actually reflect a portion of the sun's radiant energy, thus lowering your cooling costs.
Aside from the traditional standing seam look, you can also install flat lock metal roofs and ones that look like traditional overlapping shingle type or Spanish clay tile roofs. Certain manufacturers have gone so far as to coat the metal roofing shingles with colored ceramic granules to simulate the look of asphalt shingles!
Don't hesitate to select a painted metal roof product. This is especially true if the paint has been treated with a clear fluoropolymer resin. This coating was originally used to inhibit corrosion on the inside of steel piping used in chemical plants. Fortunately someone decided to try it on top of paint to stop ultraviolet (UV) degradation and fading of colored paints. It works so well that painted roofs can retain 85 percent of their original color after 20 years of exposure.
If you decide to purchase a metal roof system, make sure that the installer uses all matching components during the installation. In other words, all assembly parts must come from the same metal roof manufacturer. Pay particular attention to instructions with respect to ventilation. Metal roof failures can happen and often the corrosion begins on the underside of the roofing. Condensation can form under some metal roofs. You need to make sure that the underside of your metal roof can breathe readily and dissipate the condensate water and water vapor.
Be sure your roofer follows written installation instructions to the letter. If you live in a high wind area, pay attention that the bottom and top edges of the roof are installed correctly. These areas of the roof receive the highest loads during sustained wind storms. Most metal roofs need to expand and contract readily. Special metal clips and fastening techniques are employed that allow the roof to move yet remain watertight. Be sure you hire a roofer that understands this vital concept.
Related Articles: Metal Roofing Cost Examples, Metal Roofing Products, Residential Metal Roofing
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Mariam Green 07 Dec 2007, 13:40
We are looking at repairing or replacing our 50-year-old low pitch tar and
gravel roof with an aluminium roof. Can a tar and gravel roof be maintained
indefinitely? What are the advantages and disadvantages of aluminium? Is it
noisy? What works best in a wet, windy climate? Thanks, MG
AsktheBuilder 07 Dec 2007, 14:00
Miriam,
I would be tempted to have this discussion sitting around a table with a metal-roof factory rep and one from a top rubber-roof manufacturer. The low slope and wind conditions are indeed critical. Years ago soldered metal roofs could handle both. But let the top metal roofers tell you how they can keep you leak-free.
patrick 24 Dec 2007, 22:08
I have enclosed my patio and it has a tin roof. I have noticed that
sometimes condensation forms under the roof and drips. any idea how to
insulate the roof better?
Trudy 07 Jul 2008, 14:01
we just put on a metal roof. we had to use stripping on our exstisting roof
due to one or 2 soft spots. the supplier sent treated stripping and we
used the regular screws that was also sent. after the roof was completed
we learned that we need galvanized screw to go into the treated lumber. we
were told that the treated lumber would cause the regular screws would rust
and would also cause the metal roof to rust. Please enlighten me and what
we need to do.
Thanks, Trudy
Jim Kroening 28 Dec 2008, 17:03
The roof construction is wood I beam 16" high, then 3/4" plywood with black
paper with metal roof on top of that. The underside has R19 faced
insulation with T&G ceiling. This system leaks from condensation on the
north faceing part of the roof. I have made sure the soffit area is clear
from insulation, but I can not see if there is a space between the
insulation and roof plywood all the way up to the ridge. The leaks happen
half way down the span of the ceiling to the outaide wall. Any suggestions?
Sheryl Hembree 07 Jun 2009, 14:59
We just purchased a rental house and the roof is old and needs to be
replaced. The house is about 1300 sq.ft. About how much do you think a
metal roof would run and do you think it would pay for itself in the long
run to put one on a rental?
Felix 28 Jul 2009, 23:34
Would you please recommend a good metal roof contractor for my single house
in Cupertino, CA. Thanks!!!
paula templeton 11 Sep 2009, 09:16
We have had a metal roof for 4 yrs. It has faded noticeably especially on
the second story.(it is dark green) When the manufacture looked at it, he
wanted documentation that it had been pressured cleaned twice a year in
order to file our claim. We have our house cleaned about twice a year, so
that isn't a problem, I just feel like this is a ploy to deny claims. He
said that not cleaning it regular could cause it to fade. I don't believe
that, what say you?
Thanks
Wilma 17 Apr 2010, 10:53
We would like to add some kind of insulation to our existing patio aluminum
roof. What would you recomment? We would like to do it ourselves.
Carol 04 Nov 2010, 09:26
A roofer is putting metal roofing on my home. I notice that he has not put
on the black paper on first and is putting the roofing directly on to the
boards. Is this correct
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