5 Benefits to Metal Roofing
Prepainted steel is becoming more and more common as an exterior building material. It is used in roofing and siding as well as window and door frames. While it is most commonly known for its durability, there is so much more to prepainted steel and why it is used for these architectural components.
In this post we will dive into five benefits of metal roofing and siding. But first let’s go over the basics. At Metalwest we offer two types of prepainted material specific to metal roofing and architectural components.
Kynar 500®, or Hylar 5000®, is a resin-based coating that provides protection to aluminum and galvanized steel. In the architectural world, as well as the steel world, these coatings are viewed as the premier choice coating system. It is a high-performance fluoropolymer resin that keeps the paint on roofing and siding systems looking vibrant. It also offers chalk/fade resistance.
Siliconized Modified Polyester (SMP) is close behind Kynar in durability. It is a two-coat finish for aluminum and Galvalume. The coating has excellent scratch resistance and can withstand just about anything thrown at it.
OK, now that we have covered the basics let’s discuss the benefits to metal roofing.
5 Benefits to Metal Roofing
Durability.
Metal roofing is manufactured to withstand most weather conditions. Metal roofing systems pass through impact resistance testing to ensure it can withstand weather elements such as hail, heavy rain, snow pack, and wind.
To add to the durability factor, metal roofing systems are also long-lasting. Compared to the average lifecycle of a non-metal roof (approximately 10-20 years) a metal roof can last three times as long. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, it may even be the last roof an individual will ever install on a home as they can last approximately 50 years.
Protection.
The steel used for metal roofing systems (aluminum, galvanized, and Galvalume) all have a metallic coating such as zinc or aluminum that prevent the underlying steel from corrosion. Adding a layer of paint on top of the metallic coating adds another barrier for protection.
Energy Efficient.
A common misconception about metal roofing is that it gets hot in the sunlight. The reality is that it actually stays cooler than your average asphalt roof. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, installation of metal roofing can save up to 40% in cooling energy costs and highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another environmental factor is, most metal roofing is composed of 30-60% recycled material and can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof if necessary. This helps to reduce waste.
Aesthetics.
Metal roofs are becoming more and more common. While they used to be identified as roofing for barns, sheds, garages, trailers, etc., they are now becoming more recognized on business and residential buildings as well.
Painted steel comes in a variety of different colors and finishes. They can even be produced to look like asphalt, granite, clay, and many other materials. It isn’t hard to find the right fit for your building or home.
Affordability.
Metal roofing may be a little more expensive initially, but in the long haul it will end up saving the building owner money.
Going back to our point on durability, metal roofing typically lasts about three times as long as asphalt roofing with minimal maintenance. While other types of shingles and roofing systems need to be replaced every ten or so years metal roofs can last up to 50+ years before they need to be replaced.
Metal roofing will also save money on your air conditioning bill. Metal roofing reflects the heat from the sun instead of absorbing it like asphalt, clay, and wood shingles do. Saving you lots and lots of money.
There are definitely other benefits to metal roofing. If you have any other questions or would like to know more about metal roofing contact your local sales representative. Availability may vary based on location.
