Benefits of Metal Roofing

  1. Metal Roofing Protection and Resistance to weather
  2. Metal Roofing Longevity
  3. Low Life Cycle Costs
  4. Conservation and sustainability for Metal Roofing
  5. Metal Roofing vs asphalt shingles facts
  6. Other Metal Roofing Benefits

Metal Roofing protection & resistance to extreme weather

Adverse weather conditions such as: strong winds, hail storms and extreme temperatures can tear, deteriorate, damage and buckle conventional asphalt shingles as well as other, less durable non-metal roofing materials.  These events, in excess, can often cause premature replacement of the roof water shedding materials.  Collateral damage, disruption of the home or business and increased insurance premiums are some of the detriments associated with weather predicated replacement.

Wind damage can be especially insidious by destroying or removing only small sections of shingles may in fact require the entire roof to be replaced.  This is neither good for your insurance premiums or pocketbook in the long term.  Read More

“Wind Resistance: The interlocking or active fastening of most metal roofing panels allows them to pass very severe wind and uplift tests including ASTM E1592, UL 580, and UL 1897. Many products carry approval for use in Dade County, Florida.”

Metal roofing is the fastest growing material in the replacement market.

Metal Roofing Longevity

The advent of Galvalume® metal (steel with hot dipped zinc and aluminum coating) has given a new meaning to extended life in the roofing industry.  Galvalume® metal roofing can easily exceed life expectancies 50 years. Read more

Your new metal roof may in fact out live (3) non-metal roof material installations over its life.

The innovation & development of superior paint systems add attributes and enhancements including UV protection, beautiful – aesthetically pleasing colors and weather-ability.

Recent studies have validated the integrity and long life spans for Galvalume® metal roofing. Data strongly suggests that Galvalume® metal roofing in many cases will outlive the functional of the structure that it covers.

The fundamental elements of: zinc and aluminum; work together to promote the preservation of the base steel material.

Zinc as a sacrificial protection and aluminum in a self healing function.

In essence, no non-metal roofing products can achieve the extended longevity of durable and beautiful metal roofing systems.

Lower costs to maintain Metal Roofing

Recent studies into the maintenance costs associated with various types of roof systems has shown that maintaining metal roofing is less expensive than any other installed materials.

This characteristic of metal roofing should be of great interest for those interested in longer term life-cycle costs.  Although there are many variables that go into life-cycle costs it is not unusual to expect greater than a 50% savings for metal roofing compared to other non-metal, conventional, roofing materials. 

Read more:

“Metal roofing has a very long history, with roofs dating back to the 1800s still in service. The durability of cool metal roofing provides property owners with a very low "per year" cost option in roofing. Metal roofing products being manufactured today carry manufacturers' warranties lasting from 20 to 50 years. However, most products have been designed so that they can be refurbished on site for additional life once their original finish reaches its useful life. Metal roofing materials are 100% recyclable in the event that they are ever removed.”

The high-quality, oven-cured paint systems used on pre-painted cool metal roofing are formulated to resist chalking and fading of their colors. In addition, these paint systems shed dirt and do not support the growth of algae or fungal matter.  Non-metal roofing materials such asphalt shingles often support lichen, moss and algae growth and produce unsightly roof systems.

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Energy conservation & sustainability for Metal Roofing

LifeTite Metal Products “roll-forms and fabricates” metal products using world class supplier Akzo Nobel painted Galvalume® coil steel that incorporates Cool Chemistry for energy efficiency & durability.

Akzo Nobel
“What is COOL CHEMISTRY?
COOL CHEMISTRY products utilize ceramic and inorganic infrared reflective pigments. These special pigments are designed to reflect infrared energy while still absorbing visible light energy, thus appearing as the same color yet staying much cooler.  COOL CHEMISTRY formulations are available in both our TRINAR and CERAM-A-STAR coatings lines.

Increased efficiency, reliable performance
When COOL CHEMISTRY coatings are used on metal roofing, the result is a sustainable building material that can lower air conditioning costs, reduce peak energy demand, and help to mitigate urban heat island effects. When used on roofs and walls, COOL CHEMISTRY coatings can help reduce air conditioning costs by up to 15 percent when used in hot climates. Long term durability needs to go hand-in-hand with the gains in energy efficiency that are possible with solar reflective pigments. With COOL CHEMISTRY formulations, you are getting the same exceptional resin technology as standard versions, along with the benefits of solar reflective pigmentation.

COOL CHEMISTRY and Energy
Efficiency Rating Programs
COOL CHEMISTRY coatings exhibit solar reflectance and thermal emittance properties that qualify them as cool roofs in many energy codes and rating systems. They are designed to meet Energy Star® guidelines, in addition to other local, regional and federal code requirements for energy efficient building products. They can also help contribute to points in LEED and other green building programs to help make projects more sustainable.”  Read entire brochure.

AkzoNobel Coil and Extrusion Coatings
Akzonobel.com/ccna

Cool Metal Roofing
“In addition to being energy efficient, metal roofing is recognized as a sustainable building material for several other environmental reasons. And, as a “green” building product, metal roofing is rightfully becoming more popular in the architectural community.”

Read more:

Cool Metal Roofing Coalition
Pittsburgh, PA
Coolmetalroofing.org

Metal roofing, with the introduction of high emissivity paint systems, has helped to reduce energy use and also promote long term sustainability.  Metal roofing has the inherent ability to shed absorbed heat, at night, at an accelerated rate compared to other non-metal materials.

Reflectivity and Emissivity
“Installation of reflective metal roofing can save up to 40 percent in summer-cooling energy costs while highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 F (7 C).” Read entire article.

FIELD TECHNIQUE: Reflectivity and Emissivity
metalbuilding.com

Metal Roofing vs. asphalt shingles

Metal roofing outshines asphalt roofing in many areas including: curb appeal, longevity, durability energy efficiency and recyclability.

Read more:

Other Metal Roofing benefits

“metal roofs are durable and lightweight for both new and reroof applications and are growing in popularity. In fact, standing seam metal roofing can be constructed to meet the highest UL and ASTM performance ratings available for fire protection, resistance to wind uplift, and hail damage. Metal roofing is environmentally friendly—due to its recycle-ability and recycled content and solar reflective features which results in lower cooling requirements and it will not mildew, split, crack, or curl.

Metal is virtually maintenance free and can last 50 years or more. There are also a wide range of material choices—copper, galvanized or coated steel, stainless steel, aluminum and other coated metals—and several different panel construction options—standing seam, decorative stampings, 5V, and others.”

WBDG – National Institute of Building Science
07 – 41 – 13: Metal Roofing
By SMACNA
http://www.wbdg.org/design/074113.php

Additional benefits of metal roofing

Fire resistance “Many metal roof systems have been tested to meet Class A, B, and C fire ratings.”

Aesthetics“Due to its ability to accept coatings of various colors and patterns and its ability to be formed into a wide variety of functional profiles, cool metal roofing products can be found to fit and enhance the aesthetic design of virtually any building. This gives architects extensive design flexibility.”

Less weight “Metal roof systems typically vary from 40 to 135 pounds per 100 square feet, making them among the lowest weight roofing products available. Low weight places fewer demands on a building's structure making metal roofing an excellent choice for retrofit projects.”

Cool Metal Roofing
by the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition
Patrick R. Bush, U.S. Steel; Gregory L. Crawford, AISI; Scott Kriner, MCA; Todd Miller, Classic Products; Charles E. Praeger, MBMA; James Robinson, Architectural Metals Systems; Robert Scichili, BASF; W. Lee Shoemaker, MBMA