The Durability and Longevity of Metal Roofs
Asphalt can require re-roofing every 12 to 20 years, with the average age of roofing replaced in the U.S. being only 17 years.
That's because asphalt roofing, being made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, begins to deteriorate as soon as you put it on your roof. Just normal weather and the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays add to an asphalt roof's deterioration. A metal roof, however, will not decompose. And unlike asphalt and other roofing styles, a metal roof can withstand just about everything Mother Nature throws at it.
Other roofing materials such as wood shingles and tile have varying degrees of weather related problems also. Wood shingles dry out, cracking and curling over a relatively short time. Recent wood shingle and shake roofs have needed replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs have experienced problems with freeze/thaw cycles, especially in northern climates. Both of these products are outlasted by metal roofing that retains its good looks, whether that be shake, tile or vertical seam panels.
According to the National Association of Homebuilders Research Center, 20 Billion pounds of asphalt shingles are dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If one loaded those in 40,000 pound trailers and lined them up end-to-end they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles, back to New York City and on to Chicago. What a way to treat our land.
The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about 56% from production to installation to reuse - far superior to asphalt. And a metal roof can often be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what's already there.
Not only that, metal roofs are excellent insulators. Not only will your metal roof keep your house comfortable regardless of the weather outside, but it can actually lower your air conditioning and heating bills.
A metal roof is a premium roof system which adds value to your most important investment-your home. Initially, a metal roof will likely cost more than an asphalt roof, comparable to some other systems like tile or shake and less than slate. While these premium roof systems look good initially, they breakdown over time and you wind up having to install two or more while your metal roof will keep on providing the protection for you and your home. A metal roof will indeed save you money over time-in fact, most metal roofs come with a true 30 to 50 year warrantee.
Then, add that all in with what you'll save in roof maintenance costs. To make sure an asphalt roof lasts as long as possible, extra roof maintenance is essential. But a metal roof is just about maintenance-free. All you have to do is occasionally hose it down from the ground. Metal roofs not only save you money - they'll save you time and worry, too