Getting a new roof for your house is a relatively large investment, so you need to make sure you are getting a roof that is going to last for many years. There are quite a few types of roofing materials out there, so what is going to be best for your house? Some people prefer the look and feel of old asphalt shingles, but if you want something that is going to last for many more years, you may want to see if metal would be the best material for your roof.
Pluses of Metal Roofs
There are a wide variety of perks to putting a metal roof up on your home. First of all, metal roofs are significantly lighter than many types of asphalt, concrete, and tile roofing materials. They can literally weigh in at a mere 50 to 150 pounds per one hundred square feet if they are put on an empty roof. If you put them up over whatever is currently on your home, it does not add much to the weight, but it should not be done if the roof is already struggling with the current weight of roofing materials.
Metal roofs last for many years as well. Most are warrantied against rot, bugs, leaks, and replacement for anywhere from 20 to 50 years, allowing the roof to last nearly as long as the home in many circumstances. Roofs are also able to stand up to most types of weather, allowing snow to melt off quickly, debris to slide down quickly with each bit of precipitation, and wind to bounce right off of the metal.
A metal roof is nearly impervious to fire, and it will also reflect the heat from the sun away from the house, keeping your home cooler during the summer months. Metal roofs are able to be installed much more quickly than their tile, concrete, or asphalt counterparts, giving you protection should you be replacing your roof between one bad storm’s end and a new one’s beginning.
Downsides of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing costs a bit more than asphalt roofing, putting it up there nearer to some of the premium options you could put on your roof. However, its long life often helps this cost be balanced out over the life of the roof. Instead of having to pay for two asphalt roofs during the same 50-year span, you would only have to pay for one metal roof, saving you money in the long run.
The noise is another real downside to having a metal roof, to some people. When it rains, hails, or sleets, you hear the noise as each drip hits the roof. This can be incredibly annoying to some people, while others find it really soothing. If you do not like these little noises or they tend to keep you awake at night, you may not enjoy having a metal roof.
The other downside is the damage a metal roof sometimes takes. During times of bad weather, your roof may get dented from things like flying branches, hail, or other hard debris. These dents are typically little more than an annoyance in that they stand out visually, but typically, anything that would put a hole in your metal roof, would have done so in an asphalt roof, too.
If your roof needs to be replaced, knowing what type of roofing material to use can help make the process easier and faster. Contact your local Huntsville roofing company in order to make sure that you are getting the type of roof that is going to work best for your home.
Give us a call 256-325-2277, or email us for a free roof inspection and Free Estimate
Check what some customers are saying
We offer more than roofing, check out our service offerings
We Specialize in maximizing insurance claims and quick turnarounds.