What Harrisburg Homeowners Need to Know About Metal Roofs

Many homeowners all over the country are making the switch to metal roofs over traditional asphalt and other materials. Metal roofs offer incredible value and significant advantages over other types of roofing materials. Harrisburg homeowners in need of roof repairs or replacement in the near future should review the following frequently asked questions about metal roofs to clarify misconceptions and assess the potential benefits of this investment.

Q: Don’t Metal Roofs Become Very Hot in the Summer?

A: Metal may be an excellent thermal conductor, but a metal roof won’t heat up your home in the hot weather. The various layers of a metal roof work together to minimize heat entry through the roof. In fact, metal roofs consistently outperform shingled roof in terms of heat preservation and distribution.

Q: Will a Metal Roof Become Extremely Cold in the Winter?

A: A metal roof won’t make your home extra hot in the summer, nor will it cause cool air to enter during the winter. The metal isn’t the only barrier between the cold and the interior of the home, and the different layers of the metal roof help reduce nighttime heat loss by a significant margin. In fact, a metal roof can keep heat inside twice as effectively as an asphalt shingled roof.

Q: How Will a Metal Roof Affect Interior Temperature and Comfort?

A: Many homeowners are making the switch to metal roofs due to their fantastic reliability in regard to temperature control. Other types of roofing materials are more permeable, allowing cold air to enter during the winter and increasing the heat of the home in the summer. A metal roof is an effective year-round barrier that minimizes energy costs and helps keep a home’s heating and cooling system running efficiently for longer.

Q: How Long Will a Metal Roof Last?

A: Most traditional asphalt shingle roofs will last 20 to 30 years under ideal conditions, but they are also vulnerable to physical damage and may need occasional repairs. A professionally installed metal roof can last 75 to 100 years with minimal regular maintenance requirements. This results in long-term ownership value despite the initial high cost of installing a metal roof.

Q: How Often Will a Metal Roof Need Maintenance?

A: Most homeowners never need to conduct any maintenance on their metal roofs for many, many years. In a mild climate like Harrisburg, surface-level maintenance every few years will probably be more than enough to keep the roof looking and performing its best.

Q: Does a New Metal Roof Come with a Warranty?

A: The leading manufacturers of metal roofing materials offer fantastic warranty coverage. In many cases, the warranty is transferable in case you decide to sell the home. This inspires buyer confidence since they know they will not need to worry about roof repairs or replacement for a very long time.

Q: Is a Metal Roof Environmentally Friendly?

A: Asphalt shingles from roof repairs and replacement jobs contribute to billions of pounds of landfill waste every year. They are not recyclable, so homeowners looking for a more environmentally responsible roofing option should consider metal roofs. Most use recycled materials as base material for manufacturing, and they are fully recyclable after reaching the end of their lifespan. They require less energy to manufacture and do not contribute to landfill waste.

Q: How Will a Metal Roof Change Affect My Utility Bills?

A: Metal roofs are fantastic for energy efficiency. They are less permeable than asphalt shingles and other roofing materials, making it more difficult for warm air to escape or cool air to enter. This means the home’s heating and cooling system will not need to work as hard to maintain comfortable temperatures and air quality inside the home. Many homeowners who switch to metal roofs start noticing savings on their utility bills after a few months.

Q: Is a Metal Roof a Good Option for the Harrisburg Climate?

A: Harrisburg has a variable semi-coastal climate with hot summers, cold winters, and quite a bite of annual precipitation. Metal roofs are incredibly durable, able to withstand rain, snow, sleet, hail, and heavy winds better than asphalt shingles, cedar shake, or other traditional roofing materials. Some metals offer superior weather protection as well. For example, copper is incredibly durable with fantastic snow-shedding properties, which helps prevent snowmelt and ice accumulation on your roof.

Q: What Type of Metal Roof Material Is Best for a Harrisburg Home?

A: Every type of roofing metal has distinct advantages and some drawbacks. For example, copper is fantastic for snow shedding, but it interacts with oxygen in such a way that it forms a greenish patina over time. Aluminum is very malleable and customizable, but it is not as durable as other metals and may be more vulnerable to physical damage from hail and chunks of falling ice. All types of metal roofing are incredibly water-resistant and allow for optimal rain flow off the roof and into the gutter during Harrisburg’s rainy season.

Q: What Are My Style Options for a New Metal Roof?

A: Metal roofs are far more versatile than most people realize. You can start by assessing your material options, and some of the most popular include copper, aluminum, zinc alloy, and galvanized steel. Every type of metal has different color options, and you can choose the placement style you prefer with any type of metal. If you prefer the sleek, modern appearance of vertically arranged standing seam panels, this type of minimalist appearance can look fantastic on various types of homes. If you prefer a more traditional look, a professional metal roofing contractor can help you find the best dimensional shingle, wood shake, or Spanish tile arrangement for your home. Stone coated metal shingles can offer traditional aesthetics with the durability and protection of modern metal roof construction.

Harrisburg homeowners have many options when it comes to functional, practical, and aesthetic improvements to their homes, and metal roofs provide distinct advantages over other types of roofing material. If you’re looking for a way to keep your home safer and more comfortable through all the types of weather Harrisburg experiences, increase the resale value of your home, and minimize your long-term maintenance costs, a metal roof could be the ideal addition to your home.