Metal roofs were once primarily used only for commercial projects, but today it’s one of the fastest-growing materials used for both residential and commercial roofing in the US. Many people across the country, including right here in McKinney, TX, are making the decision to invest in metal roofing. It’s easy to see why, because people are understanding the benefits of metal roofing.

Rain on a tin roof proves so soothing that it can be found on white noise machines and meditation apps alike, but that’s not the only reason for its popularity among today’s homeowners.

Curious why this construction material has won over so many homeowners? This unbiased, expert article gives you a complete list of the benefits of metal roofing. So you can make an informed choice about whether or not to choose metal roofing for your home.

Complete List of Metal Roof Benefits

Be it replacing an existing roof or building a new home, doing your research is the first assignment of the project. Having said that, if you are opting for metal roofing, it’s important to understand the pros and cons. This section of the article explains the benefits of metal roofing.

1. Long-Lasting

Among all benefits of metal roofing, its lifespan is always listed as the top benefit.  Compared to traditional asphalt shingles, metal is far more durable and long-lasting.

When properly installed and maintained, a normal metal roof can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years. If you opt for higher-end metal roofs, such as field-locked standing seam and aluminum shingles, it could last over 50 years. One made of zinc or copper can last well over 100 years.

2. Light Weight 

If you compare metal roof materials to other popular materials, like concrete tiles, you will find that metals are way lighter. Concrete tiles reach up to 900 pounds per square whereas metal ranges between 50 to 150 pounds per square.

The lightweight metal makes the installation process easy and helps you save on engineering and building the supporting structure.

3. Speed and Easy Installation

Speed and easy installation are benefits of metal roofing that we can’t afford to ignore. Its length, width, size proportion, and the fact it’s lightweight make it easy to handle. Most metal roofing materials come in multiple singles sections or in 12 to 36-inch wide panels that can be easily handled and installed.

4. Minimum Roof Pitch

A low-slope roof is one whose slope is less than 3-in-12, this means the roof rises 3 inches for each horizontal foot. Some standing-seam roofing can be used on 2-in-12 roof pitch or, in some cases, even as low as 1-in-12.

Regardless of the slope of the structure, a metal roof can still be installed. And the added benefit is installing a metal roof on a low slope is often less expensive to construct with fewer material requirements than a steep slope.

5. Maximum Rain and Snow Shedding

For those who live in heavy snowfall and rainy areas, this is one of the best benefits of installing a metal roof.

The surface of the metal sheet is hard and slippery by nature which makes it hard for snow and water to make a grip. On top of that, if you install dark tones of metal roofing or metal roofing with a PVDF coating it doubles up the benefits of metal roofing. Dark tones of metal roofing quickly warm to the sun, encouraging snowmelt and the PVDF coating helps to reflect back more sunlight, encouraging HVAC performance.

In areas where there is heavy snowfall, having the snow easily come off your roof is a significant benefit, reducing the weight on your home.

6. Energy Efficiency 

If you are looking to cut some expenses from your monthly expenditures, installing a metal roof might be helpful. Homes that have metal roofs can save up to 30% per month on cooling costs.

• Reflectivity: Reflectivity means how well the roof reflects back the sun’s rays. Metal roofs are great at reflecting back the sun’s UV rays. When your roof reflects back the sun, it decreases the amount of heat transfer into the attic. The less heat in the attic, the lower your electricity bill will be.
• Emissivity: Emissivity means how quickly a product cools off after the heat is removed. Your roof is exposed to extreme heat in summer. No matter what, the roof will somehow soak the radiant heat and transfer it to the attic, essentially trapping it and making your AC unit fight to get it out.

The sun will continue to heat the roof and the AC unit will work overtime to cool it back down. The battle between the roof and the AC keeps going on all summer. To keep up the battle your AC unit puts extreme stress, which is responsible for a higher energy bill. With an energy star-rated metal roof, your roof will be cool to the touch after the sun goes down, allowing your AC unit to take a much-needed breather resulting in lower cooling costs.

7. Metal Roofs are Environment Friendly 

The products that we use in our day-to-day life are causing lots of damage to our environment. If you are among those who like to help mother nature then metal roofing is for you. Here is how it is eco-friendly:

• Cool-Metal Roofing: The electricity that you use daily comes from natural resources like coal, natural gas, and petroleum which are not renewable. By using the cool-metal roofing you are not only cutting down your electricity bill but you are also minimizing the use of natural resources.
• Solar Friendly: Metal roofs and solar panels make a great combination. Meaning, it’s easy to install a solar panel on a metal roof. The solar panel gives extra shade to the roof and maximizes cooling.

Another great benefit of metal roofing is they are 100% recyclable. By the end of its life, metal can be recycled and converted into a new sheet of metal or other products.

Did you know?

Most shingle tear-off waste ends up in the local landfill  — up to 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped per year.

8. Metal Roofs are Moss and Fungus Proof

The reason why asphalt and wood roofs have a short lifespan is that they are prone to mildew, moss, and fungus. But with metal, you are free from all those fungal attacks. Besides that, a metal roof protects your home from rodents, pests, raccoons, and wild animals. They are not able to break through to your attic.

9. A Metal Roof is a Fire Resistant Roof

This is one of the strongest benefits of metal roofing for people living in wildfire-prone areas. The fire resistance of a roof can be what saves a home when these tragic events occur. This is why paying attention to a material’s fire rating is so important, especially if you live in an area that is at risk for wildfires.

Most metal roofing is considered to be Assembly-Rated Class A, meaning the covering and underlying materials provide additional fire protection. This makes metal roofs one of the most fire-resistant options on the market for roofing materials.

10. Good for All Seasons and Climates

The ability to sustain any kind of climate and season is one of the best benefits of metal roofing. It can be prioritized in areas where winter storms often occur, as it allows snow and ice to slide off more easily.  It’s also perfect for hot, humid climates since it resists moisture and reflects heat.

Another benefit of metal roofing is they are rust-resistant and waterproof. The solid metal surface also resists algae.

These 10 benefits of metal roofing are the reason why metal roofs are high in demand. If you are in McKinney, TX, and looking for a metal roofing contractor, TX Roofing and GC is your best option.

Disadvantages Of Metal Roofs

Everything has its advantages and disadvantages, so do metal roofs. A few drawbacks are worth mentioning. Though it might have some disadvantages, it’s not as intense as other materials.

• Expensive – As compared to other materials, metal roofing has a higher upfront cost, but its longevity makes it cheaper than other materials in the long run. Most other roofs are cheap initially but as it ages, you will spend more on repair and in worse case you might have to replace it. On the other hand, a metal roof can last 50 years or more. No doubt metal roofing might be a little costly, but the cost is equivalent to other premium roofing materials.
• Noisy – True! Metal roofs can be noisy but if the installation is done correctly, they can be as quiet as an asphalt roof. If you install a good quality underlayment and tighten fasteners securely, it won’t be as noisy as you think.
• Denting – Denting is only possible if heavy large hailstones fall on it. Other than that you need not worry about any kind of denting.
• Leaking – Leakage on metal roofs only happens in rare cases. You will only face this problem if your metal roof is not installed properly. A metal roof installer who knows what they are doing will make sure to properly screw in and seal the panels.
• Expansion & Contraction – Expansion and contraction is normal in any metal. It expands during summer and contracts during winter. These natural processes might loosen the screw and fastener, so make sure to schedule a periodic inspection every year.

Benefits of Putting a Metal Roof Over Shingles

One of the most asked questions is, can I install metal over shingles? The simple answer is yes, but we don’t recommend doing so, because there is a lot of protocol involved in installing metal over shingles.

But still here are some benefits of metal roofing over shingles.

• Not removing the old roof first results in less work for the contractor. Which in turn will save you time and money on removal.
• Installing metal over shingles gives you extra roofing layers.
• Installing a metal roof on top of an existing one doesn’t require the older singles to be removed and thrown away – thus reduces the amount of waste that goes into the landfill.

Installing a metal roof might sound beneficial but understand that some of the building codes in the US don’t allow the metal roof to be placed over shingles. If you don’t know the building codes of your state or if you are unsure if you want to install a metal roof over your existing roof, contact your local contractor.