Depending on your geographical location the installation of a metal roofing system can save you up to 40% on your monthly energy related bills. Not only will installing a metal roofing save you on your energy bills but it also provides a secure and sturdy renovation to one of the most important areas to the exterior of your home. In a time of eco-awareness and climbing prices in commodities, metal roofing provides a sustainable solution on your bills and the environment for years and years to come.
Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory reported that installation of reflective metal roofing can save the home up to 40% in summer cooling energy costs while highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 ° F. Combined, these benefits mean less money out , less dependence on energy resources and less general air pollution in your neighborhood and across the nation.
The basic, unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation usually absorbed in your attic and home by an asphalt roof. But, for homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing systems not only reflect solar energy but also cool your home by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed.Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation.
Additionally, most metal roofing, including standing seam, is composed of recycled material and can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste and promoting quick installation as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty.
Metal roofing isn’t what it used to be. When most people think about a metal roof, a dingy shack in the middle of nowhere comes to mind, with an ugly, mismatched corrugated metal roof lying flat across the top. While there are still a fair share of dingy shacks out in the middle of nowhere, thankfully the contemporary homeowner has many more options at their disposal. Metal roofing is made from a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. All have their pros and cons, from durability to looks. While the type of metal roof may mostly be a personal preference, there are some considerations. For example, if you live in an area where hail is common, it may make sense to find the most durable material possible. For the most part, however, any of these types of roofs, made with roll forming equipment, are going to be beautiful and practical additions to your home.
Metal roofing is durable, attractive, and will most likely never have to be replaced over the course of your home’s life. So what is stopping metal roofing from becoming the norm rather than just another option? Cost, for one, is a big issue. If you don’t plan on owing your house for a long time, you may be passing along some of the benefit of the metal roof without recouping any of your initial investment. Another consideration is the noise of a metal roof during a rain or hail storm
Sal Alfano of Remodeling Magazine reported that homes renovated with standing-seam metal roofing show a rate of 85.9% cost recouped in the national average with up to 95.5% for homes in the Eastern states, a full 1 and 6% resale value gain over homes roofed with asphalt. And with all the added safety and longevity associated with quality metal roofing matching installation job costs that reach only one half of that of cosmetic room remodeling averages or even one eighth of that of a master suite addition, you hardly deny the sense in upgrading.
The following table shows average values associated with a typical roof renovation of 30 squares of standing seam metal, formed on-site into16-inch panels using factory-enameled roll steel (all seams double-locked) with brake-bent flashing from same material for drip edge and all flashing at roof-wall intersections, a 5-square hip roof with custom flashing at two average-sized skylights, a custom cap treatment, all applied over a new felt underlayment with rubberized asphalt membranes at eaves, valleys and all penetrations.
