A Homeowner’s Guide to Metal Roofing

A quality roof is one of the most important ways to protect your Louisville home. No matter what kind of roofing style, color, or finish you want, there’s a metal roof to match.  Metal roof shingles offer an unbeatable combination of traditional style and exceptional durability. With more color and style options than ever before, they replicate the appearance of classic shingle roofing, while giving you all the strength and longevity you’d expect from metal.

Metal Roofing

Metal has enjoyed a recent resurgence in the housing and roofing industries. While common for commercial development, more and more residential contractors are turning to metal roofing because of the demand for durable, eco-friendly roofing.

Modern day metal roofs offer all of the style and beauty of traditional roofing materials, only stronger and more durable. The most common metals used by roofers are aluminum, lightweight steel, and zinc.

Types of Metal Roofing

Metal roofing is available in three basic types based on the roofer, construction, and attachment method. Each type is strong and durable; the main difference lies in the appearance. The first step is to choose the look you’re after. Then decide your type, style, and contractor.

The three types of metal roofing include a vertical seam, with exposed or hidden fasteners, preformed panels, and granular-coated panels.

Vertical Seam:

A vertical seam metal roof is one where long length panels run from the eave to the ridge. Each panel has ribs running through them. They are fastened with screws and gaskets, which may be shown or concealed. This is what most of us would picture when considering a metal roof. It’s commonly used for commercial roofing and apartment complexes, but also popular for cabins and farmhouse style homes. etc.

Preformed Panels:

These painted panels are interlocked with standard dimensions and shapes and are nearly indistinguishable from other roofing styles. There are preformed metal panels in shingle shake or even vertical seam styles. These panels are attached with hidden fasteners to give a seamless look. Most homeowners can’t tell from ground level whether or not these panels are metal or traditional asphalt or tile roofing materials.

Granular-Coated Panels:

Granular-coated panels are embedded with stone granules on the surface of the metal panel. This gives a textured look to the surface, which is absolutely beautiful in residential communities. They are fastened with hidden fasteners and can be installed over a batten/counter batten wood grid system or directly to the roof deck. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Roofing

In today’s roofing industry, metal roofing beats out conventional roofing materials in several ways, but no material is perfect. As with any home improvement project, you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages to decide what is best for you.

Advantages:

Longevity: Metal is a 50 to 100-year roofing material. Many roofing contractors will offer a 30-50-year warranty on their metal roofs with confidence they are dependable for generations.

Energy Efficient: Metal reflects solar radiant heat, so you can keep your Louisville home cooler and control energy costs in hot weather when compared with asphalt or other materials. Metal can reduce cooling costs in the summer months by up to 20% over asphalt shingles. In the winter, they can also keep the house warm by reflecting the sun’s heat.

Weather Resistant: Metal can stand up to all kinds of weather. In the rain and snow, metal sheds it better than other materials which prevent ice dams. Most metal roofs are guaranteed to resist winds of up to 120 miles per hour and have a high impact resistance rating.

Fire Safe: Because metal roof materials are noncombustible, they typically have a Class A fire rating (the most fire-resistant rating).

Maintenance: There is next to no maintenance for a metal roof. The only thing you may need to do occasionally is hose off debris or dirt to keep it looking great, but that’s about it. This saves you money on regular seasonal maintenance that may be necessary with asphalt or wood shingles.

Disadvantages:

Price: The cost of metal roofing is higher than other shingle options. While this is usually offset by the durability and longevity, it is still a major factor to consider. If you plan to stay in the house for several years, it can be a wise investment. If not, it can set you back a pretty penny.

Noise: Metal roofs are prone to more noise, especially from things like rain and hail that are unavoidable.

Denting: Metal roofs can get dinged during a heavy hail storm (not to mention it sounds like you’re sitting in a drum set while it rains). While this doesn’t mean you need to replace the roof, it does mean you may have to live with dented panels.

Oil Canning: This is an inherent characteristic of nearly all metal roofs. Oil canning refers to the waviness that is visible in the flat areas of a metal roof. It can sometimes look like wrinkling or buckling. This is caused due to several reasons, such as low-quality product, poor installation, or excessive tension on the panels.

Paint Scratches: Most metal roofs are painted to match the home. Over time, this paint can get scratched and scuffed, and the roof may need to be repainted.

Is Metal Roofing Right For You?

A metal roof can be a wise investment for any homeowner in Louisville, KY. While the cost of metal roofing is higher, that is usually offset by its durability, low maintenance needs, and longevity. Metal roofing is no longer just for big box stores and barns, it might be the best option to protect your home and your family.

With all different types of color options available, you can more or less get anything you imagine, to match the aesthetic of your home. Most metal roofs are quick to install and can be completed in less than three business days. It’s clear to see why more Louisville homeowners than ever are choosing metal roofing over traditional shingles.

If you believe metal may be your next choice in roofing materials, give us a call today for more information.

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Abrams Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc
1847 Berry Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40215
502-361-7777
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