Interesting Facts About Metal Roofs in the Winter

For many, winter means higher home heating costs, dealing with snow and ice, and coordinating home repairs and renovations around the weather. One of the best investments a homeowner can make when it comes to reducing winter-related concerns such as these is a new metal roof.

Metal roofs are not only attractive, they offer very easy maintenance, more efficient home energy usage, and tremendous long-term value. If you have been thinking about possible upgrades to your home and haven’t yet considered installing a new metal roof, the following interesting facts may convince you otherwise.

Metal Roofs Can Cut Your Heating Costs

Many homeowners who install new metal roofs are pleasantly surprised to discover that their upgrades also provide an additional benefit in the form of lower heating costs during the winter. A metal roof is very good at absorbing heat from sunlight and can do so much better than even the highest quality asphalt shingle roof. As the sun shines during the day, the metal roof absorbs heat and will not only melt away accumulated snow, but also create a heat buffer around the home that makes it much more difficult for cold air to make its way inside the home.

You might think that this would make the home hotter during the summer, but this is not the case. The metal roof will certainly absorb heat, but a properly installed metal roof will not allow the heat to enter the home. The reflective surface of the metal roof will actually divert much of the sunlight away from the home and allow for a more consistent interior temperature.

Your new metal roof will ensure your home’s heating system won’t need to work as hard during the winter to keep your home a comfortable temperature and will do the same for your air conditioning system during the summer. Metal roofs will also retain heat much better at nighttime than an asphalt shingle roof, helping to keep your home comfortable all day and night. If you have any concerns about your potential heating costs this winter, upgrading to a metal roof could lead to significant savings for many years to come.

Your Metal Roof Will Eliminate Many Snow-Related Hassles and Hazards

Many people throughout the United States need to deal with snow each winter, whether it’s shoveling it off a driveway or removing snowdrifts from an overladen roof’s eaves. A metal roof offers superior snow-shedding properties compared to asphalt shingles, cedar shakes, and other types of roofs.

Most metal roofs have very smooth surfaces, allowing melting snow to slide off very easily. Additionally, metal roof surfaces are highly reflective and great at absorbing heat. If your roof absorbs enough sunlight it will make it very difficult for snow to accumulate on the roof. After a snowstorm, the heat absorption will start as soon as the sun comes back out, and this speeds up melting time significantly.

When you decide to upgrade to a metal roof, ask your roofing contractor about your snow-related concerns. It may be possible to install heat tape to assist with melting as well as a snow shield that will prevent large chunks of snow and ice from falling suddenly off the roof. You can also inquire about the sunlight absorption potential of different styles of roof. Standing seam metal roofs tend to offer the best snow shedding, but an experienced metal roof installation team can provide guidance to help you find the style of metal roof that most suits your tastes and preferences.

You Don’t Need to Wait Until the Spring for Installation

When it comes to home improvement, most Americans wait until the spring when the weather is the most agreeable to handle these projects. Many contractors are booked solid through the spring months and well into the summer. When fall arrives, many homeowners are scrambling to hire contractors to fix outstanding issues before the winter weather strikes. It’s surprising how many homeowners never think to arrange home repairs like roof installations over the winter; many contractors have more free time than usual and may even offer lower prices since it’s off the peak busy season.

Some roofing crews actually prefer working in the winter over the summer. During the summer months, working on an exposed roof can mean dealing with extreme heat while wearing safety equipment. During the winter, it’s easy to work in heavy yet comfortable clothes. If it does happen to snow while your crew is working, any snow accumulation is easy to sweep or shovel away without disrupting work. A rainstorm during a spring installation, by comparison, can be a nightmare for an already distressed roof.

While you certainly can’t expect a team to perform a metal roof installation during a blizzard, milder winter days can be the perfect time to have a new metal roof installed. Ask your roofing contractor about the best time to schedule your metal roof installation this winter and you might be surprised with the options your contractor presents.

Consult an Experienced Metal Roof Installation Team

Metal roofs offer many surprising benefits for the winter, and it’s even possible to coordinate a successful installation over the winter as well. If you have any reservations about scheduling a new metal roof installation during the winter months, speak with an experienced and reliable roofer in your area and determine if there are any outstanding variables on your property that might complicate the process. For example, if there are lots of trees around your home you may need to address them to ensure falling snowdrifts won’t become a hazard to the roofing crew or otherwise complicate the installation.

Ultimately, installing a new metal roof over the winter can be a great investment. A metal roof will outlast a traditional asphalt shingle roof by a factor of three or more and provide outstanding long-term ownership value. Maintenance requirements are minimal for a professionally installed metal roof and choosing a high-quality metal roof may even qualify you for a discount on your homeowners’ insurance.