How Can a New Metal Roof In Ohio Save Me Money?
Jan 05, 2021Because of their exceptional durability, longevity, and energy efficiency, metal roofs have experienced a boom in popularity in recent years. They add value to your home, improve curb appeal, and protect your most precious investment. With these benefits in mind, many Toledo homeowners considering metal roof replacement may be discouraged from this option because it requires a substantial upfront cost. Metal roofs are made of higher quality materials that tend to be more difficult to work with than traditional roofing materials like asphalt shingles. Because this job is precise and offers less room for error, experience and special skills are needed for a successful installation. More costly materials and a longer, more involved process mean installing a metal roof can be two or three times as expensive as other roofing materials.
However, the extensive lifespan of a metal roof and the substantial energy savings you can expect means that this investment’s long-term value far outweighs the initially high cost of metal roof installation. While traditional asphalt shingle roofs last only 12-20 years with proper installation and maintenance, metal roofs can last a remarkable 40-70 years. Think about how long you plan to stay in your home and calculate your potential energy savings. If you plan to spend a lifetime in your home or pass it down to your children, a metal roof is a superior choice. In fact, during the length of time, a metal roof would continue functioning in top condition, you would be forced to replace an asphalt shingle roof anywhere from twice to five times!
Between energy savings and metal roofs’ durability, installing one can actually save you money in the long-term.
Metal Roofs Increase Energy Efficiency and Save You Money
Because your roof serves as your home’s primary barrier against inclement weather, a poorly installed, damaged, or underperforming roof allows for the intrusion of frigid winds and harmful moisture into your home. This results in higher energy usage as your heating system struggles to keep up, driving up your energy bills. Unlike asphalt roofs that absorb solar heat and allow it to penetrate your Ohio home, metal roofs reflect this heat and prevent transmission to the interior. Asphalt shingle roofs can allow indoor temperatures to increase by as much as 25 degrees Fahrenheit. With most Americans spending close to 50% of their home’s energy on heating and cooling, metal roofs can make a substantial difference in your energy usage.
Metal roofs are the most energy-efficient roofing option because of the material’s specific features and how it is installed. Metal roofs are constructed of sheets of lightweight material weighing a fraction of what asphalt shingles do. Lighter materials equate to lower thermal mass, meaning fewer molecules for energy storage and higher insulation value. While asphalt shingles weigh 2-5 pounds per square foot, metal roofs only weigh around 1.4 pounds per square foot. Heavy materials like asphalt, concrete, and slate retain heat for longer amounts of time, giving them a higher chance of distributing heat to the interior of your home. Lighter material does not retain heat as long and cools at a quicker rate.
It is not only the features of metal materials that make them great for energy usage but also the way they are installed. A study concerning the energy efficiency of metal roofs found that ventilation is significantly improved by attaching metal roofs to the sheathing with a batten/counter-batten system, in which sheets are laid in multiple directions in a grid pattern. When asphalt shingles are nailed directly into the sheathing, the lack of air space results in greater heat loss through your attic in the winter and greater heat intrusion through your attic in the summer. The gap between roofing and sheathing in installing metal roofs saves you substantially during warmer months, causing a 45% reduction in heat flow and a 25% decrease in cooling costs.
Metal Roofs Offer Superior Durability, Longevity, and Safety
Compared to traditional roofing materials, metal is extremely durable and long-lasting. Metal roofs are non-porous, resistant to freezing, and do not crack, break, curl, or discolor. While asphalt shingles roofs are highly susceptible to deterioration from weather damage, age, and simple wear and tear, metal roofs do not share this vulnerability. An improperly functioning asphalt shingle roof cannot effectively drain water from the exterior of your home, meaning this moisture accumulates and seeps into the home. This type of damage can require extensive, costly repairs or replacement and can even impact your home’s structural integrity. It also encourages the spread of mold and mildew, a hazard to your health that is expensive and time-consuming to remove.
Metal roofs boast resistance to several factors that can decrease the expected lifespan of your Toledo roof. Along with being impervious to rot from accumulated moisture, they also withstand nearly any extreme weather conditions, from hailstorms to wildfires. Metal roofs do not crack or rust even at the highest temperatures and can tolerate wind speeds up to 140 miles per hour. Compared to other roofing materials, metal is highly resistant to fire. In a fire or lightning strike, metal roofs are much less likely to combust than asphalt shingle roofs, making them a much safer option for your family.
Metal Roofs Improve the Value of Your Home
Because metal roofs are so durable and can last up to 70 years, installing a metal roof undoubtedly improves the value of your home. Instead of having to worry about repair or replacement every 12 years as you do with asphalt shingle roofs, metal roofs provide you with the peace of mind that comes with high-quality materials offering decades of energy efficiency. Not only do they benefit from monthly energy savings, homeowners in Ohio who make the wise choice of upgrading to a metal roof also receive a generous return on their investment. They can expect to recoup around 86% of the installation cost or as high as 96% in areas of the country prone to extreme weather conditions. Do your future self a favor by investing in professional metal roof installation for your home.