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Originally Posted On: https://www.alliedxteriors.com/ask-the-roof-geek/5-things-to-know-about-metal-shingles-in-your-roofing-design/
Metal shingles were first developed in 1959. Since then, we’ve seen their use continue to rise with no sign of it slowing down. There are so many options when it comes to roofing materials that it can be tricky to know which to choose.
Understanding the pros and cons of your choice is a must when making a decision on something as important as your roof. That’s why we’ve put together this list. Here is everything you need to know about metal shingles.
Pros
Knowing about the benefits is always a good place to start. We might be biased, but we’re confident the pros far outweigh the cons!
1. Long Lifespan, Low Maintenance
A roof is not something you want to be changing often. It’s generally a one-time thing unless you’ve had some sort of accident (here’s hoping you haven’t!). That being the case, it’s important that your choice is long-lasting and durable.
This is where metal shingles shine. It’s like their flagship feature. You can rely on them to last. In fact, they might even last longer than you, with the average lifespan coming in at 40 to 70 years!
Another great aspect is how low maintenance they are. They actually require almost no maintenance whatsoever! It’s kind of like the dream material, even being resistant to moss and rot. It’s important to get them checked once a year, but you can be sure that’s just a formality.
2. Weather and Fire Resistant
Another incredible benefit is how they hold up against the weather. All types of it as well. No matter the area you live in and what version of extreme weather you might be used to getting, metal shingles are almost guaranteed to – excuse the pun – weather the storm.
That includes strong winds, hail, fire, and even snow. Aside from potentially getting a few little dents, your metal roofing will look good as new no matter what it goes through.
As for fire, metal shingles have a Class A rating, making them the best and most safe option for you if you live in a place that has the potential for wildfires.
They are even resistant to hot and cold temperatures, managing to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
3. Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficient
Furthermore, a huge advantage that becomes more and more relevant these days is how eco-friendly and energy-efficient metal roofing is. Did you know that metal shingles are made up of between 25-100% recycled materials? Not only that, but once they are retired, a metal roof can also be recycled itself. It’s a no-brainer.
As for energy efficiency, metal roofing actually reflects the UV rays and heat it gets from the sun rather than absorbs it. This means it won’t get into your building and make it overheat.
For comparison, a regular shingle roof can reach temperatures of up to 150F on a sunny day, but a metal shingle roof will only get to about 100F. So, having a shingle roof will make your home that much cooler and more comfortable. And that’s without even touching on how much you’ll save on air conditioning!
Cons
While it’s clear that there are some great benefits to metal shingle roofing, we’re all about transparency. That’s why we’ve listed the cons along with the pros.
4. High Expense
As with everything in life – nothing is perfect. Despite how good metal shingles are, it’s true that they can be quite costly. It might even be two or three times more than other options.
However, that being the case, the high cost upfront is evened out due to the savings that will be made over the lifespan of the roof. As it will last for the duration that you own the house, it is a one-time cost.
Also, as it is so energy efficient and eco-friendly, you will save a lot on air conditioning costs. And should you experience extreme weather, you will be highly unlikely to need to replace or even fix the roof.
With all that taken into consideration, it is not as costly as it seems. One big expense to start, and that’s it.
5. Risk of Rust
This one depends on where you need your roofing services, but metal roofs do tend to be more susceptible to rust. That means if you live (or work) by the sea on the coast, you might find your metal roofing panels start to gather a little rust.
Even so, corrosion is highly unlikely. Even if you do live in high salt air areas. That’s because there will be an outer coating added to your metal roof that will protect it. You’d only need to worry about it if the outer coating was damaged somehow, but that should be picked up in your yearly maintenance visits.
So, rust is only a possibility if you live close to the sea, and even if you do, there are ways around it to make sure your roof has the highest protection available.
Make the Change to Metal Shingles Today
As you can see, metal roofing panels offer far more benefits than negatives. While there is a high upfront cost, the savings made in the long run are huge and largely outweigh the initial cost.
Furthermore, metal shingles are long-lasting and eco-friendly, which given the problems we are facing with climate change, is an incredibly important aspect when choosing a roofing material.
As long as you choose metal roofing contractors you can trust, you can be sure that metal shingles are the best choice for you and your home. For more information and to see how we can help you, get in touch now for a quote!
