When homeowners are faced with needing a new roof, they have a lot of options. Metal roofing has a lot of advantages over traditional asphalt and shingle roofs. Steel roofing is one of the best kinds. Here are some of the benefits to buying a roof made of steel:
Steel roofs last a very long time.
Traditional asphalt roofs have a lifespan that can last between 12 and 20 years. The average lifespan for these roofs in the United States is about 17 years. That may sound good until you find out that metal roofs last at least 50 years. When treated with an aluminum-zinc alloy, steel roofing can last about one century.
A big reason for the problems homeowners have with traditional shingle roods is in the way they are constructed. Deterioration of these roofs begins almost immediately. Rain, wind and ultra-violet rays from the the sun only accelerate this process. The shingles on the roof are particularly vulnerable to weather. They can dry out very quickly. Shingles can also be damaged by the freeze/thaw cycle that happens in most regions that have a real winter.
Steel roofing, by contrast, can stand up to all kinds of weather. Most can withstand winds of about 140 miles per hour. Rain is not a problem for metal roofs. Steel roofing can stand up to any kind of weather.
You will have less maintenance on your metal roof.
Traditional roofs with shingles need a lot of maintenance. A few times a year (at least) homeowners with this kind of roofing need to be very diligent about looking after the shingles on the roof. Anytime there is a bad rainstorm or blizzard, at least a few shingles will come off of these roofs. They need to be replaced, along with others that were damaged, as soon as possible or this can lead to even more issues with the underlying structures of the roof. It has been estimated that homeowners with this ind of roof will spend about 2% of the value of their home every year on roof maintenance. That may not sound like a lot but it adds up over time.
Homeowners with steel roofs do not have to do any of this. It is good to pay attention and to clean off the roofing from time to time but this is nothing compared to the maintenance needed by traditional roofs. It is also something that takes just a few minutes and is just about free.
Steel roofing is better for the environment.
This is because of two factors; recycling and energy savings.
The materials used by metal roofing contractor generally comes from recycled content. Between 30 to 60% of all of the steel that is used in steel roofing comes from recycled content. To make this even better, when the steel roof comes to the end of its lifespan, the entire thing can be recycled.
The opposite is true of traditional roofs with shingles and asphalt. Nearly 20 billion pounds of these shingles find their way into landfills every year, according to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center.
In terms of energy usage, steel roofing is far superior to traditional roofing. While traditional asphalt shingles attract and absorb the heat from the sun, steel roofing reflects it away from your home. This can result in savings on your utility bills of up to 40%. Steel roofing is also very good for insulating the home. This will keep you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
The U.S. Department of Energy often offers rebates and other incentives to encourage homeowners to install this kind of roof on their homes. This can defray the cost of the installation. Talk to local roofing companies about your options and what is available.
Installing a steel roof can lower your insurance costs.
Many insurance companies will offer discounts to homeowners who install steel roofing on their home. There are a number of reasons for this. Your roof provides a serious protection for your home. The high wind resistance will protect you during bad storms and the ability these roofs have to withstand all kinds of weather is a big benefit. These roofs can keep you and your family safer. Call your home insurance carrier for more information.
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