The Pros and Cons of Metal Roofing

When it comes to any home improvement project around your home you must consider all of the pros and cons of the different options each variable offers.  This is especially true when you are looking into roofing materials.  When it comes to roofing and roofing contractors there are a variety of differences between materials that can be used.  Each material has a unique installation process which is why it is also important to choose the right contractor to install the different types of roofing. 

Metal roofing contractors specialize in the installation of metal roofs; asphalt shingles are installed best by roofing contractors that specialize in shingling and so on and so forth with wood, tile, clay and slate.  In this article we will focus on the pros and cons of different types of metal roofing including steel, aluminum and other metal roofing materials.

The Benefits of Metal Roofing

• Life Expectancy: Roofing contractors that properly install a metal roof will tell you that when properly installed the roof can be expected to last for up to fifty years.  The roof should last as long as the house or at least the time period in which you live within it. 
• Weight: Metal roofing is the lightest of all roofing materials. Per square metal roofing runs between fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds where as tile or concrete runs between seven hundred to nine hundred pounds per square.  Sheet metal roofing is my far the lightest of all metal roofing options.
• Quick and Easy Installation: There is no need to remove the under layering of shingle roofing in order to install a metal roof which makes it quicker and easier to install then most roofing materials. Another reason metal roofs are faster to install then shingling and such is because the metal shingles come in panel sections which are anywhere between twelve to thirty six inches wide. 
• Resistant to Fire: Metal is noncombustible and therefore is given a Class A fire resistant rating which means it is the most fire resistant material that can be used.
• Conductor of Heat & Cool: A metal roof is a fabulous reflector of heat from the sun thus saving on air conditioning costs.  The metal material is low in insulation R-value and utilizes the space between the metal and roof deck to increase energy efficiency.
• Roof Pitch: Low pitch roofs are notorious for their potential leaks.  When a low pitched roof has metal roofing installed leaks are not as prevalent as they are with shingles. The minimum roof pitch that metal is used on is three in twelve.  This means that the roof rises three inches for each horizontal foot of the roof.
• Maximum Run for Snow & Rain: The interlocking design of the roof panels make metal it impermeable against snow and rain. The surface is hard and slippery as well making it an obvious choice in climates known for being cold and wet.

The Drawbacks of Metal Roofing:

• Expense: One major disadvantage of metal roofing is that it is quite expensive. This is offset however by the longevity and low maintenance involved in keeping a metal roof looking as good as the day it was installed twenty years later.
• Noise: This too isn’t anything major and in fact many homeowners find it comforting and relaxing. Others however hear the ping, ping, ping of the rain and say it is an intense sound like that of a beating drum.

Consider what you desire in a roof before choosing a metal roof over other types of roofing materials.  It is also important to think about and research the contractors available in your area that specialize in metal roof installation.  Good metal roofing materials are only as good as the contractor that installs them.  Low quality installation can make even the highest quality of metal roofs falter.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.