Choosing A Metal Roof
April 16, 2010 | Filed under: Roofing Help Podcasts, Uncategorized
I’ve noted over the years that there are two different reasons why people typically choose a metal roof. One is what I call the water cooler justification… that’s the Energy savings of the roof; that’s the durability of the roof; that’s the fire safety; that’s the low weight; that’s the seismic stability… all those types of benefits that just makes sense. So when they’re standing around the water cooler at work telling people why they invested in a metal roof ,all those things just makes sense.
The second thing that drives people to buy metal roof is the beauty of it. We have noticed over the years of my company (which manufactures metal roofing) when we receive our warranty cards, pretty much the number one reason that the consumer will say they chose the product was they love the way it looks. So they absolutely love the beauty of it.
So how do you choose?
So how do you choose a metal roof? Well, you certainly want a metal roof that is going to give you all those water-cooler benefits such as fire safety, and Energy Efficiency, and durability. But you really want to look at your options in terms of looks. A metal roof should complement the home. It shouldn’t overwhelm the home. However, it should complement and blend very nicely with the home style and design. It should fit very well within your neighborhood also.
Certainly if you ever think of reselling your home, or selling your home down the road, you want to make sure that that metal roof is an attribute that everyone enjoys and appreciates, and sees how it really does bring extra value to your home, and extra value even to your neighborhood.
A couple things when you’re choosing a metal roof…
- Look for the benefits as you want in terms of Energy Efficiency, and durability, and fire safety, and all those other great things (the water cooler benefits)
- Take a hard look at the beauty and the looks of that product. Make sure you use a product that fits your home style, fits your own preference in terms of what you want (in terms of looks), and look hard at the colors. Most contractors will be able to bring color samples out to you, to hold up against your brick and siding and other trim on your house, and make sure that the color blends as well.
Todd Miller has spent his entire career in the metal building products manufacturing industry. He is president of Isaiah Industries, an organization recognized as one of the world’s leading metal roofing manufacturers. Todd is currently Vice President of the MRA (Metal Roofing Association) and a Past Chair of MCA (Metal Construction Association). Through his website, he strives to raise the bar on standards and practices to provide property owners with the best possible products for successful roofing projects.
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we had hail damage here in Iowa two weeks ago and sustain damage to our asphalt roof. My questions is I’m thinking of replacing our roof with a metal roof er have a cedar home and would look good the contractor said I could save money by letting him install it over our existing roof which is 7 years old. We have just that layer on the roof he said he would use longer screws to make sure the metal sheets attach in the sheeting. Is this a good idea to do this the price was 2000 less if I go this way
Dan
Dan, Great question. The low weight of metal roofing encourages installation over existing roofs. Going over the old roof increases the home’s thermal mass and energy efficiency. It avoids having to put old roofing materials in a landfill. And it allows homeowners to spend their money on a better roof rather than on labor and disposal costs.
That said, if there are bad dips or swales in the roof deck, please understand that metal will not hide them. Also, if the shingles are real badly curled, then they could cause ripples in standing seam roofing. Going to mor eheavily formed and textured metal roofing such as corrugated profiles or any of the metal shingle profiles will hide those ripples. You may want to consider one of thise products.
I always suggest a layer of new underlayment over the old shingles.
Feel free to visit my company websites at http://www.classicroof.com and http://www.kasselandirons.com. Our KasselWood steel shingles are manufactured in Iowa!
Thanks for stopping by!
Todd
Just gaithering product info., would like to know more about the features and benefits of your products.