5 Advantages of Metal Roofing

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Durable, eco-friendly and customizable, metal roofing is the clear choice for contractors and homeowners.

The United States continues to experience severe climate conditions every year.  From wildfires and tropical storms, to hail and polar vortex winter weather, different states and regions have all  been affected by Mother Nature’s force.  According to the latest figures from the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), as these conditions continue to worsen, metal roofing continues to gain popularity.  

Renee Ramey, executive director of the MRA shared, “Frankly, extreme weather and the need for more durable, resilient building materials is an issue that impacts nearly every region...That’s driving the need for residential metal roofing into brand new territories.”  Durability during every season of the year, in addition to high performance, are priorities for homeowners in many states.  Metal roofing can offer both of those qualities and much more.  

In this growing market, Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings continues to remind the industry of ways to Make More with Metal.  “Typically, metal roofing is a more profitable business because these homeowners are interested in durability and ensuring top quality protection versus trying to cut corners or find the lowest price,” shared Ramey.

Having metal roofing as one of your company’s offerings is a great way to differentiate your company from your competitors and appeal to a more focused market of homeowners who want and need a system that will last.  Metal roofing allows roofing professionals to elevate their businesses and offer a higher level of craftsmanship and greater attention to detail.

What are the advantages to metal roofing?  Read below to find out, and share this information with your customers to help them make an informed decision.

Something for every style

Metal roofing is available in a variety of styles, types, colors, material choices and coatings, ensuring customers get the exact look they want for their homes.  Metal roofing can be made to look exactly like asphalt shingle, cedar shake, clay tile or slate roofing.  The difference is that the metal roof is stronger and more durable.  The options are endless and your customers will have the choice to blend in or stand out in their neighborhood with all of the options available to them.

Lasting investment

Whether your customer wants the charm of a traditional cedar shake roof, the simplicity of asphalt shingles, or the bold and distinct look of clay tile, there’s a metal roof to match and they’re guaranteed a lasting investment.  While a metal roof will cost more than other roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles, this investment will reap numerous benefits that will serve your customers for the entire lifetime of their roof.  Speaking of lifetime, metal roofs can last for 50 or more years, while asphalt roofing needs to be replaced every 20 years, and sometimes even sooner than that.

Metal roofing requires very minimal upkeep.  Ensuring the roof is free of debris and having a once-yearly inspection to check for minor maintenance is typically all that is needed to guarantee the roof stays in great condition.  Asphalt roofs, on the other hand, require regular maintenance because broken or deteriorating shingles need to be replaced, and algae and moss need to be removed.  In addition to maintenance, traditional roofing materials need to be repaired and replaced after facing severe weather conditions such as a hurricane, heavy rains  and hail.

Standing up to Mother Nature

When a metal roof is properly installed it can withstand nearly anything Mother Nature will throw at it.  Metal roofing can “protect against UV rays, mildew, fire, wind and hail and is much more impact-resistant compared to other roofing materials.  In areas with extreme heat or cold, high winds, or humidity, the long-lasting advantages of weatherproof metal roofing can be even greater,” according to Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings.  Homeowners don’t have to worry about their roofs warping, cracking, rotting or rusting.  

With summer in full swing and wildfire season upon us, it’s important to inform customers who live in regions prone to wildfires that a metal roof is the best investment they can make.  As this is written, there are more than 1,200 active fires in the United States.  Most metal roofing is certified Class A for fire-resistance, which is the highest possible rating.  Many residential fires are caused by wind-blown embers that get lodged between shingles.  These embers can travel as far as one mile away from their origin.  Metal is a non-combustible material unlike wood shake or petroleum-based asphalt roofs, providing homeowners with an additional layer of fire protection for their homes. 

For roofing professionals servicing homes in coastal areas that experience tropical storms, metal roofing provides protection from this extreme weather.  Due to the composition of modern galvanized steel roofing, the zinc/aluminum coating that surrounds the steel core resists the harsh marine conditions.  

Metal can also withstand wind gusts up to 140 mph, which commonly coincide with tropical storms.  Extreme windstorms can cause damage to roofs made of other materials besides metal, costing the homeowner a significant amount of money to repair.  The accompanying heavy rains cause water damage to homes with already compromised roofs.  Metal roofing consists of large interlocking panels, which protect them from uplift caused by high winds, which in turn reduces the risk of water intrusion.

When water turns into hail, it can result in significant damage to traditional roofing materials that can break, split and cause damage.  Each year in the United States, hail causes approximately $1.6 billion worth of damages to residential roofs.  Metal roofs are durable and highly resistant to hail though.

Another threat to certain regions of the U.S. is lightning storms.  Many worry that metal roofs will attract lightning, which is a common misconception.  The MRA reports, “When struck by lightning, metal roofing actually provides superior protection than traditional roofing material because it is electrically conductive and noncombustible so the threat of fire is drastically reduced.”

Eco-friendly

Metal roofing is one of the most environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing materials available on the market, no matter which part of the U.S. your customers are in.  Metal roofs are nearly 100% recyclable and are made with a minimum of 25% recycled material.  According to the MRA, metal roofing materials reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, whereas 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles end up in landfills in the U.S. every year.  Additionally, metal roofs can be installed over an existing roof, which eliminates the environmental impact of disposal, unlike asphalt.

Energy efficient

Not only are metal roofs eco-friendly, but they’re also energy efficient.  Both commercial and residential buildings see energy savings due to the reflectivity of metal roofs, reducing the costs to heat or cool buildings.  These energy savings are a result of the variety of finishes available for metal roofing.  While asphalt roofs can absorb and hold heat, an unpainted metal roof will reflect solar radiation.  Pre-painted coated metal roofing systems are ideal for homes in warmer climates because they reflect solar energy and help keep homes cool by re-emitting most of the solar radiation that was absorbed.  

A study done by Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee found that energy costs can be reduced 40% or more with the application of heat deflecting metal coatings.  This type of coating is known as “cool metal roofing” in the metal roofing industry.  By using cool pigments in the paint, it increases the solar reflectance and lowers the roof's surface temperature.  

Metal roofing continues to gain popularity as weather conditions continue to worsen.  A quality metal roof lasts 50 or more years, has the highest rating for fire protection, is sturdy enough to withstand hurricane winds, hail storms and is a superior option for lightning-prone areas.  

Elevate your business and Make More with Metal.  Metal roofing continues to gain popularity, especially in regions of the U.S. that need superior protection from Mother Nature.  Since a quality metal roof lasts 50 or more years, has the highest rating for fire protection, is sturdy enough to withstand tropical storms and hail storms, and is eco-friendly and energy efficient, it’s no wonder it’s so popular. 

Visit Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings Make More with Metal website for everything you need to learn how to get started in metal roofing.