Installing Metal Roofing

One of the most daunting projects that a homeowner can take on is the installation of a new roof.  This is especially true if you have decided not to have traditional asphalt roofing shingles installed.  One of the most popular alternatives to asphalt shingles is metal roofing.  But before you have your contractor begin work, you should carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such a choice --

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Advantages of Installing Metal Roofing

Yes, indeed, metal roofs do have some advantages over traditional asphalt shingles.  In general, residential metal roofing products are quite light, yet are also very durable.  If resources -- especially financial resources -- are limited, then installing metal roofing may actually be your best choice.  That's because once installed, it will last many years -- in some cases far longer than traditional asphalt shingles.  This durability comes, in part, from the development of new metal alloys and special coatings which enhance its strength and resistance to the elements.

And if you are thinking that he metal roof could get exceedingly hot in the summer -- be advised that you can purchase metal roofing products with traditional coatings that are designed to enable your metal roofing to reflect away much of the heat.  Installing metal roofing can also reduce your insurance premiums, because unlike other products metal roofing products are extremely fire-resistant.

Metal Roofing -- Understand the Downside

Making an intelligent decision in regards to installing metal roofing means that you should also take into consideration some of the less desirable aspects of this product.  Chief among these is the fact that in hot weather, metal roofing products will expand -- in some cases this expansion can produce noises that can be quite a nuisance -- so make sure that you hire a reliable roofing contractor who will know how to compensate for these problems.

Another thing you need to be careful of when you are installing metal roofing is not to mix various types of metal that are not designed to work together.  If you, for example, mix the wrong type of metal roofing products, the dissimilar metals can begin to interact with each other -- and this can damage your roof.

What Types of Metal Roofing Products Are Available?

When many people think about metal roofing, they think of corrugated galvanized iron -- but this has gone out of use a long time ago.  A product that was introduced in its place was galvanized steel -- but again, this is no longer being extensively used.

When installing metal roofing today, homeowners are much more likely to have a metal combination product -- a typical product would be steel which is coated with aluminum/zinc/silicon.  Another choice might be a stainless steel or aluminum roof -- if you have the money you can even choose to install a metal roof made from copper!  Each of these materials has strengths and weaknesses: for example, aluminum roofs can be very durable, but they are also very expensive.  That's why it pays to thoroughly investigate your options before making a choice about your roofing materials.

They Won't Last Forever

An important thing to remember about any metal roof is that it will not last forever -- no matter what a salesman may say.  Although you can get many years of trouble-free use from a metal roof, you should still make arrangements to have it periodically inspected for any possible damage or corrosion.  In addition to this, your roof may need to be periodically re-coated to renew the original factory finish, to improve its appearance, and to retard the development of any corrosion.

I hope this article has given you some food for thought -- installing metal roofing can indeed be a challenge for a homeowner -- but if you take precautions and spend some time researching your options, you'll make a better choice and avoid a lot of pitfalls.  Don't just accept what your installer or contractor tells you -- do your own research and ask around for additional opinions before you make a final decision.