Metal Roofing Pros and Cons: 2018 Guide for Denver Homeowners

Before you install a new metal roof for your home in Denver CO, do you consider metal roofing pros and cons? We know you’ve made a final decision to go for a metal roof especially after hearing about its useful service life.

However, fully understanding metal roofing advantages and drawbacks helps you plan preventive measures to maximize the material itself. Of course, you want a roof that’ll serve you for as long as you live in your home.

Roper Roofing shares this guide on the pros and cons of metal roofing systems. We hope you gain deeper knowledge with the information below.

What Are Some Metal Roofing Pros and Cons?

Metal Roofing Advantages

If we compare metal roofs to other residential roofing types, we would realize that metal roof systems serve homeowners in many ways.

1. Last up to 50 years or more

Longevity is a primary reason to choose metal roofing. With an incredible life expectancy, metal roofing can reach up to 50 years. This is especially true if you give it extra care and maintenance (although it’s good to note that metal roofs require less maintenance).

How long a metal roof will last also depends on the type of metal. Here are different types of metal roofing systems and their corresponding lifespan:

  • Copper Roofing - up to 100 years
  • Aluminum Roofing - up to 50 years
  • Zinc Roofing - between 60-80 years
  • Steel Roofing - an average of 40 years

2. Good option for steep slope and low slope roofing

metal roofing pros and cons
Low slope or steep slope roofing – it doesn’t matter. Metal roofing can be used for both applications.

When considering metal roofing pros and cons, don’t forget that metal roofs are a good choice for steep and low slope projects. Some people like a steep pitch roof because it sheds water efficiently. Others prefer low slope roofing to be able to spend less on installation.

The minimum pitch for a residential metal roof is 3:12. There is no maximum roof pitch. A roofing contractor will have to consider various factors before installing a low slope or steep slope metal roof. One factor is the style of your house. Another is your location.

3. Available in a wide variety of colors and styles.

Roof colors matter more than you think. When deciding which color to use, you’ll be glad to know that metal roofing comes in tons of beautiful shades. Your choice of color depends on your personal preference, the need for energy savings, and your neighborhood.

Metal roofs can also imitate the look of other roofing materials. Here at Roper Roofing, we install metal roofs from the best manufacturer, CertainTeed. CertainTeed metal systems imitate slate, shakes, and tile. So if you already have a specific color and style in mind, we’ll help you achieve that.

4. These roofing systems won’t ignite

Another one of the benefits of residential metal roofing is its resistance against fires. There is less chance that your metal roof gets hit by lightning. And if it does get hit, the electrical charge will scatter and weaken. If you install a metal roof system, know that you won’t worry about fires.

5. Promote energy-efficiency in your home

house with metal roof on a sunny day
Is it a sunny day in Denver? No problem if you’ve got a metal roof.

Are metal roofs energy efficient? That’s a big yes. While asphalt roofing shingles are a traditional choice in the United States, metal roofing is definitely something to consider. You get to save up to 40% in air conditioning since metal reflects heat. Once the outside environment cools down, so will a metal roof.

Another means of increasing a metal roof’s energy-efficiency is to pick white or lighter colors. Ask your roofing contractor about the solar reflective index (SRI) of your new metal roofing system.

Related: 7 Things to Do to Achieve an Energy Efficient Residential Roof in Denver

6. Provide many eco-friendly benefits

Choose a metal roofing system and be able to help the environment. Here are some of the ways metal roofs make an environmentally-friendly choice:

  • Made of recycled materials. Metal roofs can also be recycled as they reach the end of their useful lives.
  • They last long which means you won’t have to replace your roof in a few years. This is one way to reduce landfill waste.
  • Being cool roofing solutions, metal roofs lower down energy expenditure.

If you want to build a “green” home, definitely opt for a metal roof.

Disadvantages of Metal Roofs

We move on to metal roofing disadvantages. In this section, we also share how to overcome these drawbacks.

1. Can be loud on rainy and stormy days

The noisiness of metal roofs is somewhat a limited concept. Yes, metal roofs produce loud noises as objects hit their surface compared to wood shingles. But roofing contractors can easily solve this issue. To keep a metal roof quiet, they implement these measures:

  • Install an insulating material to act as a noise barrier
  • Make sure that the metal roof is fastened properly to prevent movement
  • Advise you to choose a standing seam metal roof instead
  • Put a roof underlayment from nylon filaments

2. The color tends to fade over time

side view of home with garden
Metal roofs fade over time because of sun exposure, pollutants, and chemicals in the environment.

Fading is one of the metal roof problems that homeowners complain about. When recalling metal roofing pros and cons, don’t miss this aspect. Fading happens because of the substances in the surroundings that interact with the metal roof paint color. UV exposure is also a huge factor. You can’t stop the sun from shining each day, can you?

Anticipate fading but at the same time, plan to make your metal roof look like new again. How? Hire a roofing contractor to repaint it with the same color or a new color. Your contractor may also recommend restoration coatings to bring back roofing luster.

3. Increased risk for accidents when walking on the roofing surface

The risk of falling is greater among do-it-yourselfers on metal roofs. Metal roofs have shiny and slippery surfaces. These surfaces also reflect sunlight that can be blinding. But isn’t it that DIY roofing jobs are discouraged among homeowners in the first place?

Never go up on a metal roof to perform repairs. Always call a professional roofing contractor to handle all metal roofing jobs.

The Pros Outweigh the Cons

We’ve reached the end of this post on metal roofing pros and cons. You can tell by now that metal roofs have more advantages than disadvantages. Also, metal roofing contractors know how to avoid and solve the issues we mentioned above.

Read to get a new metal roof today? Or would you have your old roof replaced? Roper Roofing is your Denver CO contractor with exceptional metal roofing services - from installation to repairs to replacements. We have decades of experience and knowledge in handling all types of metal roof services.

Call Roper Roofing at 720-307-7174.

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