Did you know that some home insurance companies will give you a discount on your premium if you use certain roofing materials? In Texas, that means using roofing materials that are resistant to fire, hail, and wind.
Metal roofing contractors will tell you that of all the choices out there, metal is the best roofing material. Whether you get aluminum, copper, zinc, or steel, metal roofing can protect you from all that the Texas climate throws your way.
Yet, metal roofs are not often the first choice people think of when replacing their roofs. Today, we want to change that. And that is why we created this guide to the top benefits of metal roofing.
Are you ready to learn why a metal roof should be the top choice for your South Texas home? Then keep reading this guide to the advantages of metal roofing.
Metal Roofs Are Long-Lasting
Metal roofs typically outlast traditional shingles, whether they are asphalt, slate, clay, or wood. After all, the average metal roof lasts 50 or more years.
The exact lifespan of your metal roof depends on the metal it is made of. Following is a list of the typical lifespan of different types of metal roofs:
- Steel: Lasts an average of 40 years
- Copper: Can last up to 100 years or more
- Aluminum: Lasts an average of 50 years
- Tin: Lasts an average of 50 years
- Zinc: Can last up to 100 years or more
One of the main reasons for a metal roof’s longevity is that it will not fall victim to moss and fungi. These organisms shorten the lifetime of traditional shingles.
It is also important to note that the lifespan of your metal roof will greatly depend on a few factors. The first factor is how well you care for your roof. A well-maintained metal roof will outlast a neglected one.
Secondly, the quality of the installation will impact the roof’s longevity. This is why it is absolutely critical to choose a high-quality and experienced metal roofing company to install your roof.
Metal Roofing Is Extremely Durable
Texas is home to some pretty crazy weather patterns. We may get heat one week and polar temperatures the next. And that is not even to mention the hail storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes that plague certain parts of the state.
It can be difficult to choose a roofing material that can handle all the weather that The Lone Star State may throw your way. Yet, metal does a great job of standing up to just about anything.
For instance, properly-installed metal roofs can stand up to 140 mph winds. Plus, they do not create enough friction for snow and rain to accumulate and damage the roof.
Note that we said “properly-installed roofs.” Again, it is critical to choose high-quality metal roofing services to get the most out of this benefit.
The only type of weather you may have to worry about with your metal roof is hail. Large hail storms have been known to dent metal roofs.
Metal Roofs Save Energy
The average Texas home spends more than $156.41 per month on cooling costs. That equates to nearly $1,900 per year! The cost for AC gets even higher the larger your home, with homes measuring 3,000 square feet or larger spending more than $292.60 per month or over $3,500 per year.
Have you ever wished you could slash your AC costs, especially during hot Texas summers? If so, it is about time you considered a metal roof. Metal roofs can save you up to 25% on annual cooling costs.
Why? Unlike traditional shingles, metal roofs reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it. This quality results in a cooler roof temperature, which can also result in a cooler house overall.
Even when a metal roof does get too hot, it can cool down super fast. Metal is high in emissivity. And emissivity is a scale showing how well or how poorly a material can get rid of heat.
Metal roofs can cool down very quickly when exposed to too much heat. That is good news for your cooling costs. Your AC unit will not have to work as hard to cool down your house when it gets hot.
Metal Roofing Is Eco-Friendly
Metal roofs are far better for the environment than traditional shingled roofs. There are three main reasons for this.
First of all, metal roofs are easy to recycle and upcycle. At the end of your roof’s lifetime, you can dispose of your old roof with a metal recycling company. Your roof can then be upcycled to new metal products.
Compare this quality to traditional shingles – shingles are not recyclable. Once workers take them off your roof, those materials go straight to a landfill, where they contribute billions of pounds of waste annually.
As we mentioned, metal roofing also decreases electricity consumption. Considering that the majority of our electricity comes from non-renewable resources, this is a net plus for the environment.
Finally, metal roofs are ideal for solar panel systems, which can reduce your non-renewable energy consumption even further. Metal roofs can also make solar systems cheaper because it is easier to install solar panels on metal.
Metal Roofs Are Fireproof
Did you know that some roof singles can catch fire if exposed to lightning or wildfires? Do not take the risk get a metal roof instead. Metal roofing is completely fireproof, no matter how much heat the material gets exposed to.
This quality, again, has to do with metal’s high emissivity. When exposed to high heat, metal can cool down much faster, reducing the risk of a fire starting.
Of course, be sure to pay attention to a metal roofing material’s fire rating. A metal roof can have a Class A or Class B rating. Class A-rated metal roofs are completely resistant to fire and even lightning.
Metal Roofing Is Easy to Install
Metal roofs do not just save you money on electricity. You can also save money on labor when you choose metal over traditional shingles for your roof.
Why? Because metal roofing materials are incredibly lightweight. This quality makes them extremely easy to repair and install, saving time as well as money.
Metal Roofs Work for Low Pitches
A roof’s pitch is how high it extends above the top of the house. The higher a roof’s pitch is, the more it slopes. The lower a roof’s pitch is, the less it slopes.
Traditional shingles do not work well for low-slope roofs. Low-slope roofs typically have pitches measuring three inches per horizontal foot.
But metal roofs are different. You can use metal materials for roofs with even the most minimal pitches.
Plus, this will decrease the cost of installation labor even more. After all, it is much easier to work on a flat roof than on a roof with a high slope.
Are There Any Disadvantages to Metal Roofs?
By now, you may be wondering: if metal roofs are so great, why are they not more commonplace? Some homeowners do not prefer metal roofs because of their disadvantages.
The most commonly cited disadvantages of metal roofs are their high price and noisiness.
The Price
Metal roofing materials are not cheap. Installing a metal roof can cost more than a traditional shingled roof.
Here is the breakdown of the costs of metal roofs, depending on the metal used and based on a 1,700-square-foot roof:
- Steel: $9k$20k for corrugated steel and $17k$25k for galvanized steel (installation included)
- Aluminum: $16k$28k (installation included)
- Tin: $17k$32k (installation included)
- Zinc: $30k$48k (installation included)
- Copper: $36k$68k (installation included)
Though the initial cost of installing a metal roof is high, it is worth it in the long run. The improved durability and longevity mean you will not have to worry about replacing your roof again in your lifetime.
The Noise
The second most common complaint about metal roofs is that they can be noisy, especially during rain or hail storms.
The good news about this disadvantage is that it can be an easy fix. An experienced metal roofing contractor knows how to mitigate noisiness with the right decking and attic insulation.
This is yet another reason why you should always choose a roofing company with expertise in installing metal materials.
Searching for ‘Metal Roofing Contractors Near Me’?
Metal roofs are more than worth the cost. After all, metal roofs last longer, work for more roof pitches, cost less to install, and help save on energy costs. Plus, they are environmentally friendly and extremely safe.
Are you looking for metal roofing contractors in the Hill Country? Redemption Roofing has offices in Bulverde, League City, and Montgomery. Contact us today to learn more about roofing contractor services!
