Do You Want a Metal Roof?

Why would anyone want a metal roof?  There are several reasons:

1. Aesthetically pleasing
2. Durability
3. Cost-effective

Aesthetics

We all want our property to look nice.  In fact, we generally want our property to look nicer than our neighbor’s.  This is true both for commercial and residential property.  It’s nice when someone looks at our property and says “Wow”.

One way to achieve the “wow” factor is by installation of a metal roof.  There are many types of metal roof profiles (means the look or shape), and there are also many types of metals.  As examples:

Typical roof system profiles

• Corrugated with exposed fasteners – a rustic look, particularly compatible with a barn or southwest-style home having patio covers that are visible and a flat roof over the house.  The corrugation brings variety to the house, drawing the eye.  Corrugated panels are also commonly used on commercial entries.

• PBR panel with exposed fasteners – a more industrial look, particularly suited to garages and outbuildings or industrial roofs.  Economical and utilitarian, it is a clean and basic profile.  This is generally the most economical profile.

• Standing Seam with hidden fasteners – the profile that looks most professional, straight lines and crisp appearance, particularly suited to higher-end properties.

Common metals

1. Galvanized or rustable steel – the most economical metal, readily available, and commonly fabricated (roll-formed) into a corrugated or other panel.
2. Painted steel or aluminum – typically used for a PBR panel or standing seam.
3. Copper – either natural copper or patina (means it has a color, either “dirty penny” from the sun or chemically added).  Copper doesn’t rust, so it will last for decades with minimal maintenance.
4. Zinc – generally a soft gray in appearance, brittle to work with, adds a different beauty to the property.  Depending on the economy, zinc and copper exchange places for being the most costly.

Durability

With a quality underlayment beneath, a metal roof system can last for decades with minimal maintenance.  Yes, if there are exposed fasteners, they may need periodic tightening or replacement.  Penetrations through the roof system will need to be periodically checked, and may need to be re-sealed.  Otherwise, a metal roof system is intended to be an aesthetically pleasing and durable addition to your property.

Cost-effective

Installation costs of metal roofing are higher than most other roofing systems, so it might seem misleading to say it is cost-effective.  However, since a metal roof system can last for decades with minimal maintenance, it can be a very cost-effective system.  Shingle roofs typically need replacement at about 20-25 years, shake roofs degrade by about 35 years, tile roofs will need underlayment replacement at about 25 years, but a properly-installed roof may last for 35-40 years before needing significant work.  There is no fire hazard associated with a metal roof, no granules to fall off the roof, and no shakes to get brittle and blow off.  When the sun goes down, it cools quickly.  If worried about the potential noise associated with rain striking your roof, a layer of foam board can be placed beneath it at time of installation.

Conclusion

A metal roof can contribute to the enjoyment of your property.  It also will likely add to the value of the property when you consider selling the building.  In the interim, you get the pleasure of seeing how nice your roof looks, and how it contributes to the overall effect of your property.

Should you be interested in learning more about metal roofs, we’d certainly appreciate hearing from you.  You can reach SUNVEK at (623) 349-7663 (623-Fix Roof) or online at https://sunvek.com/.