METAL ROOFING
METAL ROOFING OHIO – ONLY EXPERIENCED
METAL ROOFERS DO IT RIGHT
An increasing number of property owners in the Leesburg, OH area are replacing their shingle roofs with metal roofing systems. There are a variety of reasons why so many people are reaching out to metal roofing contractors Ohio, like Elite Roofing & Construction, and opting to learn more about getting a metal roof–whether for a new construction project or to switch from asphalt shingle roofing to metal. Sometimes homeowners prefer the sleek, contemporary style of metal roof systems, such as standing seam metal roofs. Commercial property owners often prefer making the extra investment in metal roofing, based on how long this form of roofing lasts, its durability and the qualities which allow metal roofs to withstand the severe weather of south-central Ohio.
When and Where Did Metal Roofing Emerge
The use of metal roofing in one form or another goes way back in history. In fact copper has played a significant role in architecture for over a thousand years. It was even used on the Roman Pantheon! But in the United States, during the nineteenth century “tin” plates or shingles became commonplace. Tin roofs were actually made of any soft metal coated in tin and lead, including aluminum. Fabricators of metal roofing could promise 50 to 100 years for the serviceable lifespan of a tin roof. Tin roofs were painted with an iron oxide paint resulting in their familiar red hue. This coat of special paint added to their rust resistant quality. Another type of metal roof –heavy-gauge galvanized, corrugated iron roofing – was used in 1857 on the U.S. Mint in New Orleans. That was over 150 years ago. These days, metal roof manufacturing processes are run largely by computerization. Steel, zinc, aluminum, and copper are used widely for both residential and commercial roofing applications. Galvanized steel and aluminum are the most cost-effective metals and therefore the most popular, as well. In the last decade, contractors have seen many advancements in metal roofing. Metal roofing Ohio, like that installed by Elite Roofing & Construction, is mostly high grade standing seam metal roofing, the best you can get!
HOMEOWNERS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS ALIKE,
APPRECIATE THE ENDURANCE OF METAL ROOFING
ADVANTAGES OF METAL ROOFS
There are multiple reasons for the rise in popularity of metal roofing Ohio. Among the benefits are:
SERVICEABLE LIFESPAN
If the customer’s main goal is to get one of the longest-lasting forms of roofing for their home or commercial property, metal roofing is a great choice to offer. Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material, and have been known to last even longer. Conventional asphalt roofing materials have a lifespan of roughly 12-20 years.
DURABILITY
Metal roofing will not corrode or crack, as asphalt tends to do after a while and under constant UV sun rays. Metal roofs can sustain seriously strong wind gusts, often called hurricane-force winds of up to 140 miles per hour. The key to this level of wind resistance is mainly the quality of the installation. It has to be installed by a roofing contractor such as Elite Roofing & Construction. Elite has the experience and training in metal roofing. The quality of the material itself is important too, but even the most heavy-duty metal roofing won’t stand up well to high winds if it’s not installed right.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Metal roofs reflect the sun’s UV rays which can result in a 10-25% reduction in cooling costs, as compared to a typical black, asphalt shingle roof which gets extremely hot during hot summer days in Leesburg OH and the south-central part of the state.
SAFETY
Metal roofs are fire resistant and are often the preferred roofing material in areas where wildfires are a problem.
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES
Most metal roofs have a high amount of recycled content (25-95%), depending on the product. Furthermore, seldom is old metal roofing simply disposed of. Instead it’s recycled due to its inherent value and ability to be repurposed. Old asphalt shingles invariably end up in landfills at an estimated 20 billion pounds per year!
CONSTRUCTION VALUE
Because metal roofing is lightweight, builders can save on the engineering and building of the supporting structure. They can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support trusses, thanks to metal roofing’s lightweight.
MAINTENANCE
Unlike conventional shingle roofing, metal roofs don’t need periodic maintenance, at least not as often as asphalt shingles.
METAL ROOFING BENEFITS AT A GLANCE
- Improve your home’s curb appeal
- Reduce HVAC bills
- Enhance your property value
- Metal is fire resistant
- Potential insurance premium savings
MYTHS ABOUT METAL ROOFING
MYTH #1 - METAL ROOFS ATTRACT LIGHTNING
A metal roof is no more prone to lightning strikes than any other roofing material, despite many people assuming so, because metal conducts electricity. Normally lightning hits tall objects. Case in point–New York City’s Empire State Building is struck by lightning 25 times each year on average. And trees are common victims for the same reason. In suburbs and rural areas, trees stand taller than most landscape features including homes. Not only is it a myth that metal roofs attract lightning, but in the event they ever do get struck, metal roofs are not as likely to catch fire as asphalt shingle roofing. In the event there is a lightning strike, a metal roof will not catch fire as other building materials do.
MYTH #2 - METAL ROOFING IS TOO NOISY WHEN IT RAINS
Almost everyone has had an experience in a home, lodge, or building when precipitation created an ambiance featuring the pitter patter of raindrops on the structure’s roof. In simple structures such as agricultural facilities, sheds & garages, cabins, schools, and recreational venues where roof decks, attics and insulation are not always ample components of building design, heavy rain and hail can generate sound that reverberates inside a structure, whether it’s fitted with metal roofs, tile roofing or regular asphalt shingles. But in residential and most commercial building situations with metal roofs, today, the sound of rain is deadened by the layers of building materials between the roof and the living or working spaces. The insulation, drywall, and wood decking all contribute to keeping interiors relatively quiet, even when it’s raining cats and dogs.
MYTH #3 - METAL ROOFING IS PRONE TO HAIL DAMAGE
Why would insurance companies offer discounted rates on home insurance premiums for properties with metal roofing? Believe it or not, metal roofing has a higher resistance to hail than asphalt shingles. The durability of metal roofs is backed-up in studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Those studies point out that all roof types can become damaged in hail, mostly minor dings and dimples with metal roofing less likely to puncture as compared to asphalt.
MYTH #4 - METAL ROOFING DOESN'T PERFORM WELL IN SEVERE WEATHER
Perhaps this misconception is related to some of the damage apparent to old barns after a tornado, with roofs ripped off their old wooden trusses. A metal roof from a bygone era is nothing like today’s highly engineered metal applications coupled with their modern installation methodologies. Nevertheless, it’s remarkable to see how even those old metal roofs, hardly maintained over recent years, have protected buildings for so many many decades. There are many examples and test results that demonstrate the exceptional resilience of today’s metal roofing systems. In Fact, after Hurricane Irma in 2017, one Florida county moved to make metal roofing mandatory. It’s also appropriate to note that insurance companies recognize the benefits of metal and offer discounts for structures fitted with metal roof systems.
MYTH #5 - METAL ROOFING IS VERY COSTLY
While the upfront cost of metal roofing is higher than asphalt shingles, that shouldn’t be the primary factor in judging whether or not metal is actually more expensive in the long run. When the lifespan of the roof is examined, the calculation changes in favor of metal. With a life expectancy three times greater than shingles, a metal roof can actually cost “less” money over time. Plus, metal roofs generally require less maintenance than shingle roofs, which are more susceptible to wind, curling and hail damage.
MYTH #6 - MOST STRUCTURES CAN NOT
SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF METAL ROOFING
At only 1-3 lbs per sq. ft., (depending on the thickness and profile) metal roofing is one of the lightest of all roofing materials. Comparative weights of asphalt shingle, architectural asphalt shingle, clay/concrete, and wood materials are:
- Conventional asphalt shingles — from 2 to 3.5 pounds per square foot
- Clay or concrete tile—5.5 to 10 pounds per square foot
- Textured (architectural) asphalt shingles— from 3.5 to 5 pounds per square foot
- Wood shingles and shakes—from 3.5 to 4.5 pounds per square foot
MYTH #7 - THERE’S NOT MUCH VARIETY IN METAL ROOFING TYPES AND STYLES
Not all metal roofing materials are created equal. Metal panels and tiles come in a wide variety of gauges, fastening methods, colors, shapes, and coatings. One or more types may be ideal based on a particular architecture, and where the property is located. Location can dictate the best choice in metal roofing based on what materials are available in the region, and what type of weather the area experiences year after year. Quality and performance varies based on the quality of the metal substrate and metal coating system.
ely homes. Few materials are as striking and elegant as copper, zinc or steel roof coated or colorized to add a distinctive style to any property. For centuries, copper roofs have graced estate homes, as well as important buildings, like libraries and art museums. Copper slopes, dormers tops, and other strategic uses of this costly but resilient material can serve as effective accents to slate, tile, or even architectural shingle roofing. But just about any type of metal roof can complement a home as well as any tile, slate, shake or shingle material.
