7 Metal Roofing Myths Debunked

By McElroy Metal.

Learn the truth about metal roofing.

There are many misconceptions concerning metal roofing. We disprove these seven myths below:

1 - Metal Roofing is Noisy

This might be the most common metal roofing myth, and we attribute the myth to pole buildings and garages. If you’ve ever been in a garage or a barn with a metal roof during a rainstorm, you know that it can get noisy. What you might not realize is that those types of building most often don’t have any of the decking or insulation that a home has.

When a metal roof is installed on a residential property, it is installed over a roof deck, insulation, and underlayment. These additional layers dampen the sound of even the most intense rainstorm. A properly installed residential metal roof won’t be any louder than any other type of roofing material.

Check out this video to hear what a rainstorm sounds like in a home with a metal roof.

2 - Metal Roofing Will Increase Energy Costs

The truth is that metal roofing will actually lower energy costs!

Metal roofing reflects the sun’s heat and energy, which can actually save homeowners as much as 20% in their cooling energy costs.

3 - Metal Roofs are Ugly/Won’t Look Good on a Home

In all fairness, aesthetics is very personal. What one homeowner loves another might not.

That being said, all metal roofing does not look the same. There are a lot of styles, finishes, and color options on the market today, so if one type of metal roofing isn’t your customer's cup of tea visually, they have options.

If they like the look of shingles, slate, or tile roofs? There’s a metal roofing style for that! And don’t forget all of the color and finish options too!

4 - Metal Roofing Will Attract Lightning

Although metal can conduct electricity, lightning isn’t necessarily attracted to metal roofing. Lightning will strike the closest target. Homes with metal roofs are no more prone to lightning strikes than homes with any other roofing material.

In fact, metal roofing is non-combustible, so if the roof is struck by lightning, it won’t catch on fire like other building material.

5 - Metal Roofing Gets Easily Damaged by Hail or Wind

The truth is that any roofing material can sustain damage from environmental factors like hail, debris in high winds, or forest fires. The good news is that metal roofing offers some resistance to this type of damage.

Metal roofing is more resistant to hail than shingles, naturally resistant to fire, and (when properly installed) is resistant to high winds!

Want to show them some proof? Check out these stories about metal roofing:

An ABC Nightly News story about a metal roof surviving a forest fire

A New York Times article about a home surviving Hurricane Florence

After the devastation Hurricane Irma caused in the Florida Keys, there were calls to make metal roofing mandatory in Monroe County.

6 - Metal Roofing is Expensive

This myth is actually true if all they are doing is comparing upfront installation costs for metal roofing and shingles. If all they are looking at is the upfront price, metal roofing is often more expensive than shingles.

However, metal roofing can last 2 to 3 times as long as shingles. Metal roofing can also lower utility expenses and requires less maintenance than shingles.

With all that taken into consideration, metal roofing very often actually costs “less” money over time.

Learn more about the value of a metal roof versus a shingles roof.

7 - Metal Roofing is All the Same

Metal roofing is just like any other product in that there are varying degrees of quality, longevity, and performance. It is vital to understand substrate, gauge, paint system, and panel options when selecting a metal roofing system.
You can learn more about residential roofing substrates, coatings, warranties, and panel options in our new eBook, the Residential Metal Roofing Guide.

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Learn more about McElroy Metal.

About McElroy Metal

Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The family-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 13 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.

Original article source: McElroy Metal