Sheet Metal Roofing

Black Historic Farm with Sheet Metal Roof

Sheet Metal roofing is light weight, ecologically sound, portable, and durable. Whether you are looking at low end metal roofing use for agriculture or commercial building, or high end sheet metal roofing for your home, sheet metal roofing is an excellent roofing option.

Sheet Metal Roofing Options

There are a number of different options for metal roofing. No matter what type you select, metal is low maintenance, and offers many energy saving benefits for you. Metal also enhances property resale values as well as energy savings, and protects those who select it from storms, winds, rot, mold, insect damage, and fire damage. And if you want to go green, metal is the best option.

Metal roofing can be made from any number of metals from aluminum sheets to galvanized steel that is turned into corrugated sheets, or even stone coated and painted tiles. Other roofing materials include copper and anodized aluminum panels.

Durability

Stainless steel, aluminum, copper – all these potential roofing materials are durable. Some steel sheeting is coated with alloys of aluminum and zinc which further enhances durability. Some metal roofs can last as long as a hundred years. And because of their consistently high strength to weight, metal roofs are ideal for large structures.

Weather resistance is a key element too, as is snow shedding, which is an especially effective benefit for properties located in cold climates.

Environmentally Sound

Metal is itself very recyclable and many metal roofing products are made up of much recycled content to begin with. Metal roofs also deflect heat in summer and cold in winter, making them energy efficient as well. And since they can be placed on top of existing roofing materials as well as a roof deck, metal roof replacement eliminates the need to take older roofing materials to a landfill. Unlike asphalt roofing, there’s no petroleum product here to pollute rainwater, either.

Metal roofing also goes a long way in preventing mildew and algae growths, such as moisture fungus or black algae. Algae streaks will often increase energy costs as well as adding to the deterioration of roofing material itself.

Sheet metal roofs are also easy to install and need little maintenance over their long life span.

Metal roofs can create extensive aesthetic advantages for homeowners. Colors, styles ranging from tile to shake to shingle all enhance value and stay attractive after years of use.

Types of Sheet Metal Roofing

One type of roofing is corrugated galvanized steel. This roofing product is made up of a number of different elements such as aluminum, silicone enhanced steel, and zinc. There are also metal tile sheets which are, painted or stone coated to resemble other types of roofing.

• Stainless steel is used for very severe weather conditions, are usually formed as a roll, although individual shingles are also offered.
• Compared to steel, aluminum roofs are incredibly light weight, and last for an extended period of time. This type of sheet metal is on the high end, price wise.
• Copper roofing is more high end still, and usually utilized only for flashing or in detailed areas.
• Stone coated steel is created from steel that’s coated by aluminum and zinc. It creates the look of stone or shingle through an acrylic gel coating. A variety of coatings have been created to enhance the look of metal roofing and its long lasting appeal.
• On the low end of the sheet metal roofing scale, you’ll find the low cost square iron roofing called Inverted Box Rib, usually utilized in low income or foreign markets.

Metal Roofing Installation

Metal roofing install is quick and efficient. With the basic metal materials already formed as either multiple shingles and sheets, you will find less cost per square foot. Rapid installation also means there’s a great reduction in the time that a property is exposed to the elements. Tools needed are simple and include electric drills, shears, and nibblers as well as metal snippers.

Metal roofing can be used on low pitch roofs, as many metal roof manufacturers and designers work with a three to twelve inch pitch range.

Professional installers will calculate the number of metal panels needed including fasteners, very precisely to eliminate waste of metal panels, trim pieces and even screws. This is called a cut list. Using this list, roofers will create a panel layout to ascertain exactly where each panel or shingle will go.

With no need to remove and dispose of existing roofing materials, installation goes even more quickly and efficiently.

The Value of a Metal Roof

To reiterate, metal roofing installation is an excellent choice for home owners and consumers looking for a green roofing system that’s reliable, long lasting, lightweight, and well manufactured. Metal roofing creates savings and longevity for you.

Article by: Glenn Wilusz

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