6 Reasons Americans Are Upgrading to Metal Roofs

If you are thinking about replacing your roof, you should leave behind outdated asphalt shingles and consider upgrading to a metal roof. Metal roofs are no longer a rarity only reserved for high-end modern homes but have successfully integrated into the mainstream and become incredibly popular choices for homes of almost every style. Today’s innovative metal roofs offer several advantages over traditional asphalt shingle roofs, outperforming them in terms of durability, longevity, energy efficiency, sustainability, and home value.

Various materials may be used to construct metal roofs, including aluminum, galvanized steel, zinc, copper, tin, and hybrid metal mixtures. The roof is then prepared with a special coating to protect it from moisture, reflect heat, and prevent rust development. Metal roofs come in various styles, making it easy to find the right style for your home. They are typically large sheets but can be constructed to imitate asphalt shingles if you prefer a traditional look.

Top 6 Reasons to Upgrade Your Roof

As the availability of materials expands and manufacturing processes improve, metal roofing’s popularity has grown substantially. To determine if your home could benefit from installing a metal roof, consider the following six reasons for upgrading it.

1. Durability

Metal is rated as one of the most durable roofing options available. Metal roofs are resistant to most of the hazards that cause thousands of dollars in damages to homes every year, including extreme weather conditions, insect infestation, rot, and fire. Roofs made of metal do not crack or corrode and can withstand practically any kind of climate. While asphalt shingles can be easily dislodged by strong wild or damaged by hailstorms, metal roofing is much more durable, tolerating wind gusts that reach up to 140 miles per hour. Your metal roof may receive a few dents from sizable hail, but it provides much more formidable protection than an asphalt shingle roof. Some metals are even considered completely impact resistant.

2. Longevity

Traditional asphalt shingles are highly susceptible to deterioration, allowing water to penetrate your home and cause significant damage. Ice dams can cause cracks in asphalt shingles, constant exposure to dampness encourages the growth of mold and mildew, and fluctuating temperatures loosen and weaken the roof system as a whole. In contrast, metal roofs avoid the risk of moisture accumulation, preventing the intrusion of snow, ice, or rain and the subsequent costly water damage they create. And because they conduct heat more effectively, snow and ice do not build up the same way on metal roofs as they do on asphalt roofs. Metal roofs are also resistant to insect infestations, so you never have to worry about costly termite extermination. While an asphalt shingle roof can only last for 12 to 20 years, depending on your area’s environment and climate, metal roofs usually come with warranties up to 50 years. They have been known to enjoy a functional lifespan, extending as far as 70 years after installation.

3. Safety

Metal roofing is impervious to fire, meaning it will not ignite during lightning strikes or wildfires. You may be under the mistaken assumption that a metal roof would attract lightning, but extensive studies have proven that a metal roof is no more likely to be struck by lightning than an asphalt shingle roof. If lightning does strike your metal roof, it provides significant protection for your home. It ensures a higher degree of safety for your family than a roof made of any other material. With wildfires growing in size and intensity every year, metal roofing has quickly become the top choice for roofing companies in many areas of the county vulnerable to these hazards.

4. Energy Efficiency

Due to their ability to reflect radiant heat from the sun and block it from penetrating your home, metal roofs demonstrate higher energy efficiency than roofs of other materials. One study determined that installing a metal roof can substantially reduce your energy usage throughout the entire year. When constructed with a strapping system (horizontal boards placed between the plywood sheathing and metal sheets) and painted in a light, reflective color, metal roofs provide homeowners with an average energy savings of 10% to 25% during the winter and 40% during the summer. Compared to traditional asphalt shingles, the temperature of metal roofs tends to rate 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit cooler. While asphalt shingles trap heat and allow it to infiltrate your home, metal roofs reflect this heat to keep your home at a comfortable temperature with less effort.

5. Sustainability

Metal roofs are considered one of the most environmentally friendly roofing options available. Not only do they allow for the efficient use of energy all year round, but they are also sustainable due to the materials used to manufacture them and their ability to be recycled. Metal roofs consist of 25% to 95% recycled materials and are 100% recyclable after removal from the home. They may also be re-sealed to extend their lifespan, rather than needing a full replacement. On the other hand, asphalt shingles are petroleum-based products, meaning they are part of the ecologically harmful fossil fuels industry. They also require more frequent replacement—landfills in the US record nearly 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles every year.

6. Value

Although asphalt shingle roofs are cheaper to install, the value you receive from metal roofs makes the initial cost worth the investment. The long life of a metal roof means it will likely not require replacement during your lifetime, and the material’s energy efficiency will save you every month in heating and cooling bills. A metal roof is a valuable home renovation project, and homeowners can expect to recoup 85% to 95% of metal roof installation costs. Because they are so durable and far less vulnerable to weather damage than traditional asphalt shingle roofs, some insurance companies offer discounts up to 35% to homeowners who install metal roofs. You may also qualify for tax credits to help cover the cost. To save even more on your installation, you can request that the metal roof be installed directly over top of existing asphalt shingles, reducing labor and overall project costs.

Upgrade Your Home With Metal Roofing Today

Demand for metal roofing continues to increase for use in both residential and commercial properties. The metal roofing industry demonstrates consistent growth every year, with the market share rising approximately 3% every year. Currently, the metal roofing market accounts for $3.3 billion, and around 15% of all current roofing installations utilize metal roofing materials. Metal roofs can outperform your existing roof in every way, including durability, longevity, safety, energy efficiency, sustainability, and overall value.