15 Reasons to Replace a Leaky Roof With a Metal Roof
Having a leaky roof is no fun, but at least you're going to be able to get a new roof, which means you'll have all sorts of choices to make. One major choice is whether to replace it with traditional shingles, wood, tile or go with a metal roof instead. Here's why you should consider a metal roof this time around.
15 Reasons to Replace a Leaky Roof With a Metal Roof
#1: Longevity
Probably the best reason for replacing your old roof with a metal roof is that the metal roof will last a lot longer than one with shingles. A metal roof can last as long as 50 years, meaning you'll likely never have to replace it again. This is compared with the average longevity of between 12 and 20 years for asphalt shingles. With more than twice the life expectancy, a metal roof makes good sense if you don't enjoy replacing roofs.
#2: Durability
Metal is also much more durable than shingles, which is especially important if you live in an area that gets strong winds. A metal roof can withstand wind gusts of up to 140 miles per hour! Moreover, metal roofs won't crack or corrode, and depending on which type of roof you buy, may be impact resistant. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, impact resistance is an important feature in a roof.
#3: Low Maintenance
As a homeowner, you already have a lot to do to keep your house and property appropriately maintained. It's always nice when you can take one of those maintenance tasks off your list. A metal roof does just that, as it will require significantly less maintenance over its lifetime. You'll still need to inspect it every so often to make sure nothing needs to be repaired, but you won't need to replace shingles or worry about nails coming loose.
#4: Safety
If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, a metal roof is safer to have than a shingled roof because a metal roof will not ignite, even if a spark lands on it. Even if you don't live in a forest or in the mountains, a metal roof still lowers your risk of fire. You may even get a discount on your homeowner's insurance if you install a metal roof because you're reducing your fire risk.
#5: Energy Efficiency
You can lower your cooling costs by installing a metal roof when you replace your leaky roof. This is because metal acts as a solar panel, reflecting the UV rays that would normally be absorbed by a traditional roof. Studies have shown that you can reduce your cooling costs in the summer by as much as 25%. If you live in an area that is hot all year round, you might realize even more savings on an annual basis.
#6: Eco-Friendly
Many people choose metal roofs to help lower their environmental footprint because most of the metal used to make metal roofs is recycled, The actual amount depends on the manufacturer and the type of metal used, but you'll find products with between 25% and 95% recycled materials. Additionally, at the end of their lifespan, your metal roof will be 100% recyclable, compared to shingle roofs that usually end up in landfills, part of 20 billion pounds of waste each year.
#7: More Stylish Options
Not only can you choose the type of metal used for your roof, (tin, aluminum, zinc, galvanized steel, copper), but you can also choose from more than 100 colors, including all standard and premium colors and custom-mixed hues. If you go with shingles, you'll be fairly limited to between 15 and 20 colors, depending on what your roofing company offers. Steel and aluminum both hold paint very well, so you don't have to worry about color saturation with these materials.
In addition to the variety of color options available to you for metal roofs, you also have many more architectural options as well. For example, you can get ribbed panels; metal shingles that look like wood, slate, or clay tiles; and many other designs that are only limited by your imagination. Your house is not going to stand out because it has a metal roof. You can blend it in as much as you want through careful design choices.
#8: Long Warranty
Since metal roofs are known for their longevity, most companies offer long warranties as well. Metal roofs typically have a 20-year materials warranty, which means your roof is already protected longer than most shingled roofs will even last. Painted metal roofing systems often have an even longer warranty, going up to 40 years, which is nearly the entire lifespan of a metal roof! Your investment is protected for a much longer period of time.
#9: Light Weight
Metal weighs significantly less than shingles or tiles, coming in at 150 pounds per square foot compared to the 900 pounds per square foot of other materials. Due to the lighter weight, you can spend less money on the supporting structure, and in some cases, you can even have a lightweight metal roof installed over an existing roof. You won't need to alter the structural supports that underlie your roof.
#10: Easy to Install
Since metal roofs are usually installed in panels that vary from 12 inches wide to 36 inches wide, it takes less time to install a metal roof than a roof that requires each individual shingle to be nailed down. By selecting an experienced roofing company to replace your leaky roof, you'll not only get your metal roof installed properly, but you'll also have it installed more quickly as well. This is a huge benefit if your area's weather is unpredictable.
#11: Ice melting
Unlike with a shingled roof, ice does not last long on a metal roof. The slick, metal surfaces of the panels encourages ice to slide right off the roof, which means your roof won't be strained under the extra weight of melting ice when it gets a little warmer. Additionally, metal heats up faster than shingles do, so any ice that is left on your metal roof will melt and run off quickly.
#12: Moss- and Fungus-Proof
Moss and fungus can greatly decrease the lifespan of a traditional asphalt roof because they eventually rot the wood under the shingles. Unless you spend a lot of time cleaning your roof and sealing it, moss and fungus can cut the lifespan of a shingled roof in half! A metal roof on the other hand, is impervious to moss and fungus. It simply will not grow on metal, which makes this type of roof perfect in humid areas where moss and fungus often flourish.
#13: Wild Animal Proof
The internet is rife with stories from homeowners who have asphalt roofs that were damaged by wild animals like squirrels, raccoons, and rodents. In some cases, they've damaged the shingles and substructure to actually get inside the house! This won't happen with a metal roof, since they won't be able to chew or claw their way through the metal panels to the substructure. It's a great comfort to know that you won't run into a raccoon in the morning!
#14: Easy to Clean
While you don't have to do much to maintain your metal roof, you'll want to clean it once in a while, as it can get dirt streaks from rain or snow that tracks through dust that has settled on the panels. Fortunately, cleaning a metal roof is as simple as spraying it down with a pressure washer, or even just a hose with a spray attachment. Your roofing company will tell you what is best for the metal you've chosen.
#15: Money-Saving
The one drawback to metal roofs is that they can be expensive up front. However, you more than make up your initial investment through the savings your metal roof gives you over time. First, you probably won't have to replace your roof again, unless you intend to stay in the same house for 50 more years. So, in 12 to 20 years, when you would have to replace a shingled roof, the money stays in your pocket.
Additionally, you're going to save on repairs, since there won't be many (If any), and any that are may be covered by the long warranty. You'll also save on cooling costs in the summer with the energy-efficient qualities of your metal roof. Finally, consider what your time is worth. With less maintenance, easy cleaning, and a simple yearly inspection, your time is freed up to do other tasks. What other home feature can actually buy you time?
You're going to have to replace your roof anyway, so why not make a long-term investment in a metal roof that will give you a return on your money in several ways?
