4 Reasons to Consider a Metal Roof
Getting a new roof is important to protect your home, but with so many roofing materials from which to choose, picking the right one can seem overwhelming. While many people still choose asphalt shingles for their affordability, more and more homeowners are choosing metal roofs because of their great benefits.
If you aren’t sure if a metal roof is right for you, check out these four reasons you should consider one.
- Metal Roofs Are an Affordable Option
Asphalt roofs are popular because they are one of the cheapest roofing options, but they still last about 15 to 20 years. For an asphalt roof, you may pay a few dollars per square foot for the shingles and labor (including removing the old roof and placing the new shingles). You may be able, however, to save more money with an overlay. With an overlay, no old shingles are removed.
Metal roofs, however, are also affordable. You may only pay about $3 to $7.50 per square foot for a basic metal roof, but the cost can increase to $7 to $10, depending on the type of metal, quality, special features, etc.
Luckily, however, metal roofs last longer than asphalt; they can last 50 to 75 years. Plus, you may be able to save money if the roofer can build the metal roof directly over the old asphalt roof.
- They Are Durable in Most Climates
Metal roofs are great in most climates because of their durability. In climates with a lot of rain, you may need to be extra careful about keeping the roof clean so debris doesn’t scratch the roof, which could allow rust to develop. In climates with a lot of snow, metal roofs do well too because they allow snow to slide off with ease.
Metal may seem like a terrible choice if you live in a hot region, but that’s not the case. Instead of the hot sun heating the roof and your home, the radiant heat from the sun is reflected back, which can reduce heat gain inside your home, especially if you have a light-colored roof. In cold climates, you may prefer a dark-colored roof to absorb some heat.
- Dampers Keep the Roof Quiet
In the past, metal roofs were loud, especially when rain, hail, and debris hit the roof; however, metal roofs today are much more advanced to keep out noise. One of the best ways you can reduce sound is with a damper.
A damper is simply a barrier made from noise-absorbing material. It’s installed under the metal, so any noise is absorbed by the damper before it reaches your living space. Installing your metal roof over an old asphalt roof can also help with sound, but only a qualified roofer can tell you if your home qualifies.
- The Roof Is Recyclable
If you like to do your best to help the environment by using green alternatives, a metal roof may be the best choice. Much of the material used to craft a metal roof is scrap and recycled metal. This helps reduce energy consumption because it takes more energy to process raw materials than recycled materials.
Once it’s time to replace your metal roof, it can be almost completely recycled and used to make new metal roofs. This doesn’t just help conserve resources and reduce carbon emissions, but it also prevents the roof from ending up in the landfill.
If your roof is getting old or showing signs of major damage, consider replacing it. Instead of choosing a traditional asphalt roof, however, consider metal for its many benefits. For more information about metal roofs or other roofing materials, contact us at Affordable Roofing today.
