Metal Roofing Systems

While the initial cost for a premium metal roof is higher than most other roofing materials, you’ll save money in the long run.  A metal roof can last a lifetime, whereas materials like asphalt require re-roofing every 10 to 20 years. A metal roof can also increase the resale value of your home. In some states, like Texas, a metal roof can even lower your homeowner’s insurance by 35%. Metal Roofing also lasts longer than conventional roofing materials. The average life of a non-metal roof is 17 years. An asphalt roof can require re-roofing every 10 to 20 years, often sooner. But a metal roofing system offers unmatched durability, lasting 2 to 3 times longer. Chances are good that a metal roof will be the last roof you ever install on your home.

Design Flexibility is also a plus to owning a metal roof. No matter what kind of roofing style, color or finish you have now, there’s a metal roofing style to match. Today’s metal roofing looks just like common roofing material such as asphalt shingle, clay tile, cedar shake or slate. However, metal lasts at least 2 to 3 times longer.

Energy Efficiency comes with any metal roofing system. Metal roofing in both light and dark colors reflects heat effectively to reduce cooling loads in the summer and insulate homes during the winter. You can see how a metal roof can help to lower energy bills.

Metal roofing is ordered per piece, whether an individual sheet, a piece of trim, or ridge material. In new construction, proper estimating results in very little waste. Sheets can be ordered at exact lengths, requiring less job-site modifications, which is great for new construction. As for remodeling, a metal roof is usually easily applied over an existing roof. In situations where reducing the cost of labor is essential, it can be helpful to have this option.

Looking to install your own roof?  Calebs Sheet Metal can fabricate a custom roof system as a package. Calebs manufactures Standing Seam Metal Roofing Systems with COOLR© Metal among others.

For more information please call our roofing professionals at (303) 971-0256 or Click Here to request a free quote.

Key Features

  • Lightweight
  • Durable
  • Hail Resistant
  • Snow Shedding
  • Wind Resistant
  • Fire & Spark Resistant
  • Design Flexibility
  • Energy Efficient
  • Labor Efficient
  • Low Maintenance
  • Portable
  • Recyclable
  • High Strength to Weight Ratio

Additional Information and Facts to make an informed decision:

Versatility

The material used in metal roofing is versatile and durable. It can be used on residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural buildings. The same material used for metal roofs can be used for siding. There are many different profiles and styles available to fit most every building situation.

Aesthetics

One may combine shapes for aesthetic impact. Using the same material and same color with different shapes can have an impact on “curb appeal” and building value. Alternatively, different metals can be used to create interesting color combinations.

Steel Roofing

Steel roofing is most widely used metal roofing material today. The steel industry is very well developed in United States, which makes steel, a strong and flexible metal and an abundant commodity, a good material of choice. Steel is a cost effective and affordable metal roofing material for residential roofing, commercial roofing, and industrial roofing uses. Modern steel metal roofs come in G-90 galvanized steel, and galvalume steel (better quality) zinc aluminum coated rolled steel sheet coils, and stamped steel shingles profiles. Many steel shingles roofing profiles are made from galvanized steel, while sheet metal coils used for standing seam metal roofing are often made from galvalume a higher quality coated steel. More details about differences of galvanized steel vs. galvalume will be available at the bottom of this page as an additional resource on a different site. There are also stainless steel metal roofing profiles used mostly for high end commercial roofing and institutional roofing projects. The high cost of stainess steel makes it a rather rare choice for residential roofs.

Listed Below are the different types of steel roofing and other metals that are also used to build and decorate metal roofs:

  • Corrugated Galvanized Steel: This describes the original product that was wrought iron steel sheet coated with zinc and then roll formed into corrugated sheets. This product is still used today in most areas. The newer push of modern architecture and “green” products has brought these products back to the foreground.
  • A blend of zinc, aluminium and silicon-coated steel: sold under various trade names like “Zincalume”, “galvalume”, etc. Sometimes left in the raw zinc finish, but more widely used as a base metal under factory coated colors.
  • Metal tile sheets: These are usually painted or stone-coated steel.
  • Stainless steel: Available for harsh conditions and/or as a distinctive design element. Usually roll-formed into standing seam profiles; however, shingles are available.
  • Aluminum: One of the longest-lasting metals, but somewhat expensive compared to steel products. Aluminum roofs are very lightweight, corrosion-resistant, have high natural reflectivity and even higher natural emissivity, increasing a building’s energy efficiency. Aluminum products with Kynar paints easily last over 50 years. The newest innovation is anodizing of the aluminium coil stock for use in architectural details and standing seam panels. The anodized layer is intimately bonded the metal and is not normally subject to weathering and wear.
  • Copper: Expensive for a roofing material. Usually used for flashing or smaller, highly detailed areas such as entryways and bays. Copper is used for regenerative principles of sustainable design: if the building were to be dismantled the copper could be reused because of its high value in recycling and its variety of potential uses.
  • Stone Coated Steel: Panels made from zinc/aluminium-coated steel with acrylic gel coating. The stones are usually a natural product with a colored ceramic coating.
  • IBR or Inverted Box Rib: A low-cost corrugated square-fluted iron roofing material used mainly in the South African market. It can be commonly found on anything from industrial sites to low-income shacks.

Many different types of coatings are used on metal panels: anti-rust, waterproofing, heat reflective. They are made of various materials such as epoxy, ceramic and, more recently, materials developed through nanotechnology.

Metal sheet roofs are very affordable, durable, and quick to install, which makes their use extremely popular in the construction of commercial and industrial buildings. The major problem with metal roofs in warm weather is that they absorb and retain enormous quantities of heat. In non-air-conditioned buildings, this translates directly into high building envelope heat loads, temperature and moisture build-up. In air-conditioned buildings, it means higher energy costs as the air-conditioning has to fight the heat that builds up during the day, even when the sky is overcast (ultraviolet rays, the major source of heat from solar radiation, will penetrate clouds). Because buildings with metal roofs are hotter than the things around them, they contribute to the urban heat island effect. A metal sheet roof in tropical countries, for example, can reach a temperature above 75°C / 167°F.

Ceramic coatings are the most popular heat reflective coatings applied on metal sheet roofs worldwide. The technology is several decades old and was initially developed by NASA for the American space program. Most ceramic coatings are made from regular paint, with ceramic beads mixed in as an additive. Although they reflect, on average, 75% to 85% of solar radiations, their performance tends to plummet by 30+% after a few years because of dirt build-up. Their composition and thickness (from 500 to 1,000 micrometres) can cause cracks to appear, and the color selection is very limited – mainly white with a matte finish. Because of this, their application is mostly limited to industrial and commercial buildings. However, when the cost of the investment is the main issue, they are an affordable choice for insulating metal sheet roofs.

Nanotechnology solar reflective coatings are efficient heat-reflective coatings that can be applied on roofing materials. They are radiant barriers which increase in performance exponentially with the surface’s heat, making them perfect for application on metal sheet roofs. Heat load on buildings with metal sheet roofs is typically reduced by 30%, which instantly improves the building’s energy-efficiency and caps heat build-up. Developers can take advantage of the affordability and wide availability of metal roofs while transforming them into a high performance heat shield. Traditional under-roof insulation such as PU foam or PE foam can provide additional insulation.

This new generation of nanotechnology coatings adds value and benefits to metal sheet roofs. It extends their lifespan: Since the metal expands and contracts less due to lower temperature variations, less stress is caused on bolts and joints. The risk of leaks is reduced, as is the need for maintenance. Coated metal sheet roofs are cool and reduce the urban heat island effect. Some nanotechnology coatings also include titanium dioxide, which makes them self-cleaning. Metal sheet roofs in industrial areas with lots of dust will remain clean longer and are less sensitive to acids (such as the ones used in cooling towers). In coastal areas, these coatings protect the metal sheet from marine salt.

A metal roof graded “AG” or “Utility” will need re-coating once the factory finish wears off, or corrosion will occur. These paints are commonly acrylic or polyester based. Roof coatings are the preferred material since they are able to stay elastic and withstand the thermal cycling that occurs in metal roofs. Roofing materials made from stainless steel, zinc or copper will rarely require maintenance over their lifetime. Any required maintenance is usually due to design or installation mistakes. Otherwise, these materials commonly last over a century. Metal roofing with long life polymer coatings like Kynar should not normally require maintenance until the coating fails. These products have been used for over half a century now in the U.S. and few installations have failed. They should be considered lifetime products.

Metal roofing, a fastest growing roofing product in America, is a smart green roofing alternative to the conventional asphalt shingle roofs. While asphalt shingle bakes in the sun and drives heat into your home, metal roofing reflects solar thermal radiation helping you save anywhere from 25% to 40% on your cooling costs. The average lifespan of an asphalt shingle roof is only seventeen years. The asphalt shingle roof may require re-roofing every ten to twenty years. A Metal roof can easily last well over 50 years providing energy savings, and reliable protection for your home.

Metal Roofing is nothing like its common residential counterpart, asphalt shingle, which is a petroleum based roofing material that is destined to end up in our landfills. Every year, some thirteen billion pounds of asphalt shingles end up in our landfills to decompose in the earth thereby contributing to environmental pollution. Metal roofing, on the other hand is a 100% recyclable at the end of its very long service life. Energy efficiency, sustainable reliability, and being 100% recyclable are the ingredients that make metal roofing a true green roofing material.

Green Metal roofing is increasingly specified by architects and building specifiers, recommended by residential and commercial builders, and embraced by homeowners who want an energy efficient, environmentally safe, and long lasting roof.

Residential metal roofing styles are designed to appeal to building owners of both, contemporary and historical buildings. Modern metal roofing styles available to the homeowners include metal shingles, shakes, slate, and tiles. Standing seam roofing sheets, and corrugated metal roofing offer another option that is more suitable for modern, and agricultural styles, respectively.

Standing seam metal roof comprised of vertical roofing panels is a light weight roofing alternative to asphalt shingle. Standing seam panels can be made out of aluminum, steel, zinc, and copper. Coated with solar reflective paint standing seam roofs reflect solar radiant heat, which explains how it can save from 20% to 40% on cooling costs. Standing seam roofing is just one of the many metal roofing options available to the building owners.

Metal Roof Advantages

  • Energy efficient: Coatings with high reflectivity like Kynar with “cool roof” pigments commonly save 20-30% on air-conditioning costs due to reflecting away much of the sun’s heat. Increases the thermal efficiency of buildings in high temperature areas with its cool-roof paints and high emissivity.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Metal Roof is green building material that earns green building credits.
  • Durable and Long Lasting: The lowest end metal roofing (thin gauge with acrylic or polyester paints) commonly called AG (agricultural) or Utility panels will last 20 to 30 years, which is roughly twice the lifespan of an average asphalt roof. Most metal roofing products today come with warranties from 25 to 50 years. Sheet materials like stainless steel, copper, zinc and aluminium are inherently durable; the oxidization of the base material forms a protective patina. Some modern steel roof sheeting materials are coated with an alloy of zinc and aluminium to give it some of the durability of each of those materials at a lower cost and higher strength than either. Copper and Zinc details have historically been proved to last upwards of 100 years with little or no maintenance. Residential and commercial grade metal roofing usually lasts from 50-100+ years, depending on the type. The coatings and fixings on steel roof sheeting can be designed for different environments including industrial and marine locations. A Metal Roof that is installed correctly can last twice and three times as long as asphalt shingle roof.
  • Fire and spark resistant:
  • Hail resistant:
  • Wind resistant: Withstands wind uplift of up 110 miles per hour and higher
  • Snow shedding: Sheds Snow and Ice, which helps prevent Ice Dams. Painted metal roofs are usually snow-shedding. Snow can usually collect when it is fresh and lighter weight. As soon as the ambient temperature rises a few degrees, the snow usually just slides off. For this reason metal roofing is ideal for homes in high latitude or mountain regions.
  • Strong: Because of their high strength to weight ratio, metal roofs are often used to cover large buildings.
  • Recyclable: Metal is readily recyclable. Aluminum and copper roofing products are available with over 95% recycled content. Most metals can be recycled over and over without losing any valuable properties. Recycling is very efficient. As an example: recycled aluminium only requires 5% of the energy to produce as does new aluminium.
  • Design flexibility: Some steel roofing products can be installed over open framing, or on a solid substrate.
    • Large sprung curves.
    • Rolled bull-nose shapes.
  • Easily Add Solar Panels: Can be out-fitted with solar roofing panels for standing seam roofs.
  • Light Weight
  • Portability
  • Labor efficient
  • Low Maintenance: Most metal roofing products require very little or no maintenance and greatly reduces possibility of roof leaks and need for on-going roof repairs
  • Versatility: Metal roof sheets can be used equally well in cladding the sides of a buildings. Often the same TR-36 profile in two colors will be used to do both roof and sides of a building.
  • Value: Upraises value of your building and pays for itself

In U.S states where severe hurricane winds cause massive blow offs of composition shingle roofs, metal roofs prevail. In the state of Florida, there are many simulated Spanish tile stone coated steel roofs that stand up to any wind, while asphalt shingle and cedar shake gets uplifted and blown off when winds exceed 60 mph. It is not an unusual scene, by any measures, to see a lone metal roof surrounded by its less resilient roof-less neighbors that used to have asphalt shingle roofs before the storm. Clearly, there are some vital advantages of metal roofs in hurricane prone states like Florida, Louisiana, and Texas.

Metal Roof Disadvantages

  • Care must be taken on large roofs to provide for thermal expansion and movement.
  • Movement caused by differences in temperature may cause objectionable noises in some roofs; for example, curved roof surfaces. However, this is not a common occurrence.
  • Care must be taken with all metal roof products to avoid the use of incompatible materials. Dissimilar metals can cause unexpected and rapid corrosion.
  • Metal refining and production and transport of metal roof components can be energy-intensive and is almost always a non-local activity. On the other hand, metal roofing products can often be recycled, and the process is relatively clean and energy efficient. Even 200 year-old Copper, for example, can be easily and inexpensively recycled. Some of the metals that are used today, such as Aluminum and Copper, routinely contain over 80% recycled content.
  • While metal roofs are expensive, rising oil prices have made metal roofs more affordable in relation to asphalt shingles.

One of the major drawbacks is higher metal roofing cost of initial investment than an asphalt shingle roof. Average initial cost of metal roofing is two to three times higher than regular roof. Hence, investing in metal roofing only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home for some time, and reliable long lasting roof is actually important to you. Another major drawback can happen if your metal roof gets installed by a regular roofer who is only familiar with asphalt shingle roofing, and has never installed a metal roof before. It would be highly likely, that such an inexperienced installer would make installation errors that will result in roof leaks. Therefore, be sure to hire only experienced metal roofing contractors.

Lightning

A metal roof will not increase the likelihood of lightning striking your home. However, if your home were hit by lightning, your metal roof would disperse the energy safely throughout the structure. Since metal roofing isn’t combustible or flammable, it’s a low risk and desirable roofing option where severe weather is concerned, especially for lightning.

Noise

A common misconception is that a metal roof will be noisier than other types of roofing. When installed with solid sheathing, a metal roof on your home will actually silence noise from rain, hail and bad weather, many times much better than other roofing materials.

Rust

Today’s metal roofing systems are built to last. Steel metal roofing has a “metallic coating” made of either zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum. This metallic coating prevents rust from forming and is bonded to the steel at the factory. Paint is then applied over the metallic coating to provide the long-lasting color homeowners desire.

Dents

In most cases, a metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like hail, high winds, and heavy snow. Today’s systems also have a 150-mph wind rating (equal to an F2 tornado), meaning your metal roof is also safe from wind gusts that can accompany hail storms.

Durability

Many people think you can’t (or shouldn’t) walk on a metal roof, but the truth is that you can safely walk any metal roof without damaging it. Before you walk your roof, however, we recommend you talk to your installed or roof manufacturer first. They will have the details on how to walk the particular roof you have, based on the style you chose and your roof pitch.

Getting an Estimate

The two most important factors in calculating cost are the style of roofing and the shape and pitch of your home’s roof. A contractor can come to your home, inspect your current roof and then give you an estimate.

One of the major arguments causing much resistance to metal roofing is its higher initial cost of investment. It seems much more compelling to pay less for an asphalt shingle roof, but this thinking holds true only for the short run. (Such as when you need to quickly solve the leaky roof problem, or flip the house. And even then, metal roofing can actually make your property more attractive in the eyes of a potential buyer!)

Over a long run, metal roofing outshines and outlasts an asphalt shingle roof in every aspect possible. It significantly reduces AC energy consumption to cool your home, which greatly reduces your monthly and yearly cooling expenses. By having a long lasting and durable metal roof protecting your home, you will no longer have to replace your roof every 10 to 17 years. Now, you can really start reaping all financial and aesthetic benefits of having a metal roof. Factor in a greatly improved curb appeal of your home, and a forever lasting increase in the value of your home, (with over 90% of the initial remodeling costs recouped, and sustainable over time, plus the the added benefit of ongoing energy savings.) and that is how metal roofing becomes such a financially savvy remodeling decision!