The benefits of metal roofing are abundant and widely touted throughout the industry. Sustainability, little or no maintenance, beautiful colors and designs, fire safety, low weight, recycled content; the list goes on and on. But the question is whether those buying a metal roof really understand all of the benefits they are receiving. Perhaps more property owners would choose metal if they understood the full spectrum of its benefits.
“One of the things we often find on warranty registrations is that building owners purchased a metal roof based upon its beauty and durability, and nothing else. They oftentimes are not aware of the many other benefits which come with the investment they just made,” says Todd Miller, president of Classic Products Inc., a Piqua, Ohio-based manufacturer of metal roofing. “That’s a shame, really. They are getting all of the benefits of metal roofing, but it seems like they were never told about them.”
As the metal roofing industry continues to educate and inform contractors, architects, specifiers and other industry participants to all of the benefits of metal roofing, they are finding that property owners are becoming increasing interested in the true value that metal roofing possesses.
Metal roofing is also available in many profiles for property owners seeking the benefits of metal roofing, but with a special look. Steel and aluminum products are available in press-formed options with the look of clay tile, slate, wood shakes or traditional shingles. In some cases, enhanced paint finishes and stone coatings on the product will provide an extremely realistic look. And, for building owners desiring a specific look, product options in exotic metals such as copper, zinc, stainless and other metals will provide distinctive beauty along with durability.
Green benefits resonate very strongly with many property owners, as an ever-growing number are now seeking roofing choices that are good for the environment. The sustainability of metal roofing meets this need by providing a lasting roof that does not need to be replaced every few years. While metal can have a higher upfront investment cost than some roof systems, it pays for itself through its durability.
Additionally, the steel, aluminum and copper used in metal roofing has a high recycled content. In fact, sometimes it is as high as 95 percent. And, at the end of its long useful life, metal roofing is 100 percent recyclable. This contrasts sharply with other roofing materials, which become a cost liability from the moment they’re installed, because someday they will require removal and landfill disposal.
Beyond the durability of metal roofing, is its freedom from maintenance costs and worries. While it is always a good idea to perform semi-annual inspections of metal roof systems to ensure that no unusual damage has occurred, metal roofs do not require the re-coating, re-flashing and other maintenance concerns oftentimes required by inferior roofing systems. This allows property owners to no longer have to gather and maintain funds for periodic roof repair.
At the same time that a property owner can achieve all of these metal-roofing benefits, they can also choose a product, which aesthetically enhances their building. Metal is often used for low-pitch roofs due to its ability to be crimped and permanently sealed against the elements. Most low-pitch roofs have minimal visibility so aesthetics are often not a major concern. However, with steeper slope roofs, the variety of looks that can be achieved with metal roofing can be of huge value to property owners.
Finally, benefits of metal roofing also include fire safety and low weight. Fire safety can protect buildings from the threat of external fires. The low weight of metal roofing can be especially beneficial with aging structures and also by allowing retrofit installations over existing flat roofs.
Property owners who choose metal roofing may indeed appreciate its beauty and durability but, as evidenced here, the benefits go far beyond that. As contractors and design professionals come to really appreciate and understand the full benefits of metal roofing, more and more will begin to choose from the wide offerings of metal products that are available.
—
Adam Boyd is the marketing assistant at Isaiah Industries Inc., Piqua, Ohio, the parent company of Classic Metal Roofing Systems. For more information, visit www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com.