Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Roofing
Numerous homes have benefited from Roof Rescue‘s assistance in locating the ideal roofing material for roof replacement for more than 30 years. As a result, I will provide you with an objective analysis of the advantages and disadvantages for metal roofing to enable you to decide if it is appropriate for you.
We’ll quickly review the two types of metal roof systems at the outset of this blog to determine which is best for residential roofing. Then, we will take a fair look at the pros and cons of metal roofing.
You will know for sure by the time this blog is over whether metal roofing is the best option for your new roof.
The Two distinct kinds of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing systems come in two varieties: screw down panel and standing seam. Although each has a position in the market, only one is suggested for residential roofing.
A screw down panel metal roof is exactly what it sounds like; it is screwed down (also known as an exposed fastener metal roof). Because the screws are driven into the metal panel, there is nowhere for the metal to move during thermal expansion.
Due to this, you must pay to have the screws replaced approximately every 5 years in order to stop leaks or before a severe storm tears the metal roof off entirely.
A standing seam metal roof system consists of several metal panels that are mechanically or mechanically secured together at the joints. Standing seam panels are attached beneath each of these ribs so they can slide back and forth as they expand and contract.
Your house can have a metal roof that is screwed down. However, it works well over a carport, garage, screened-in porch in the back, barn, and other spaces other than a home or office.
Due to its capacity for expansion, a standing seam metal roof is my top recommendation if you are seriously considering metal roofing over a heated living space. As a result, the remainder of this blog will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a standing seam metal roof.
A standing seam metal roof’s four key advantages
The four key advantages of standing seam metal roofing include increased curb appeal, durability, and more.
1. Curb appeal is increased with standing seam metal roofing.
What a standing seam metal roof accomplishes for your home’s curb appeal is its first advantage. In comparison to 3-tab or architectural asphalt shingles, a standing seam metal roof offers a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Your home’s exterior appeal will be much enhanced if you install a standing seam metal roof all over it. But because of the price, many individuals will not be able to do that (more on that in a minute).
Because of this, many homeowners prefer to use it on front porches, side porches, back porches, bay windows, and other structures to enhance the appearance of their asphalt roofs. Whatever application you choose, standing seam metal roofing will enhance the curb appeal of your house.
2. Less upkeep is required for standing seam metal roofing.
Every roof requires upkeep over the course of its lifetime to keep it functioning properly. However, the frequency of replacement depends on the type of roofing material used on your home.
The next benefit of a standing seam metal roof is that it needs less care than other roof types, which brings us to our next point. No maintenance is necessary once it is installed, apart from the penetration caused by vent pipes, gas lines, etc.
The only additional general maintenance required, which is entirely up to each customer’s discretion, is cleaning. This is not to say that you should not have your standing seam metal roof inspected once every two to three years.
3. Standing seam metal roofing lasts an exceptionally long time.
Standing seam metal roofing’s durability is one of its largest advantages, if not its biggest.
You should expect your new standing seam metal roof to last at least 30 years if it is constructed correctly and your attic is properly vented. Your new standing seam metal roof might last 50 years with the right maintenance.
Be cautious that fresh steel will rust due to dew or moisture in the air if the painted finish on the metal panels is scratched or damaged during installation. Your standing seam metal roof’s lifespan will be shortened as a result.
Hiring a nearby roofing professional with experience installing metal roofs and who takes all necessary care to maintain the finish during installation is essential.
4. The standing seam metal roof’s painted surface.
A painted finish known as Kynar 500 is applied using a patented process by all the major steel panel producers. Standing seam metal roofing has a lot going for it because of the painted surface.
The standing seam metal panels are shielded from the weather by Kynar 500, which also prevents the color of your choice from fading. Your metal panels’ paint will be covered once your standing seam metal roof is installed.
The paint does not guarantee that it will no longer exist in 30 years. However, you should begin budgeting for the replacement of your standing seam metal roof as soon as the paint guarantee expires.
The three primary disadvantages of standing seam metal roofing
The four main advantages of standing seam metal roofing are already known, therefore I’ll move on to the disadvantages. A standing seam metal roof has three main drawbacks, just like it has advantages.
1. The cost of standing seam metal roofing is high.
The cost of standing seam metal roofing is the primary drawback (and the one that matters most to homeowners). Let’s contrast a standing seam metal roof with the most widely used asphalt shingle (architectural) roof.
It will cost about $4.76 per square foot to build a two-story home with moderate complexity, reasonable accessibility, and architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingles. A standing seam metal roof should cost between more than twice as much as three times as much, or about $15.00 per square foot.
Due to this significant price increase, most homeowners choose not to install metal roofs. But a standing seam metal roof is a terrific choice if you want a new roof that your grandkids won’t have to worry about in 50 years.
2. A standing seam metal roof is susceptible to oil canning.
The possibility of oil canning is the following disadvantage of a standing seam metal roof.
When installers join the metal panels together too tightly, oil canning occurs. The metal panels can extend lengthwise but not laterally as a result.
When this occurs, your standing seam metal roof will exhibit oil canning, which first appears as “bubbling” and then as wavy lines on the metal panels.
It has no negative effects on functionality. However, some homeowners dislike the visual problem that oil canning creates.
Just be aware that oil canning on a standing seam metal roof is a possibility if curb appeal and aesthetics are important to you.
3. The sound produced by raindrops on a standing seam metal roof
The following fraud is not a functional issue, like oil canning. A standing seam metal roof’s disadvantage is its noise level, which is also one of the most often asked questions.
Rain hitting your standing seam metal roof will create an echo. Because the wood (decking) between the metal panels and your ceiling helps absorb part of the noise, it will be quieter if it is installed over solid decking.
To reduce noise, you can also place wood fiber insulation boards between the metal panels and the decking on your roof. Although these boards add another layer to absorb rain-related noise, they cannot totally obstruct torrential rainfall.
Is a Metal Roof right for you?
You now know the advantages and disadvantages of standing seam metal roofing. Just keep in mind that I don’t advise getting a screw-down metal panel roof over a heated living room, even though you may.
After reading this article, you ought to be able to determine whether metal roofing is a smart choice for your house.
Thousands of San Antonians and the surrounding areas have benefited from the professional roofing services of the Roof Rescue crew. You can depend on us to offer knowledge, advice, and high-caliber labor.
