A Roof for all Seasons: Why Metal Roofs are Better Come Rain or Shine
Posted on: 27 October 2016
Metal roofing is all the rage, and for good reason. In America alone, of the 5 million home owners who re-roof their houses each year, nearly half look into the possibility of opting for a metal roof instead. In fact, the MRA (Metal Roofing Alliance) is so confident in the quality of their product that they aim to double the residential segment of their market share from nearly to 20 percent by the year 2020.
As a homeowner who might be considering re-roofing your home in the near future, these statistics may make you wonder. After all, when you think of metal you think of rain hammering on a tin roof or the hot sun beating down on a blindingly hot metal surface. There's also the style issue. When you drive through an industrial part of town, the styles and colours of the metal roofing you might see hardly makes you gasp in wonderment.
However, the truth is metal roofs are superior in almost every way and here are the facts to prove it.
Metal Roofs Stand up to the Elements
There are a lot of misconceptions regarding metal roofs and weather, but that's all they are--misconceptions.
Come Rain
Most people have heard the thunderous roar of rain hammering on a metal roof. It is noisy. There is no doubt about that. However, in the case of metal roofing for residential purposes, where sound dampening materials are used, there is very little difference in the noise generated by rain on a metal roof compared to that of a standard asphalt shingle roof.
Swedish researchers The Acoustic Group tested this and discovered that while the sound of rainfall on a metal roof reaches 52dB, it reaches 46dB on a standard asphalt roof. When you consider that the noise of normal conversation only reaches 70dB, you can see there is very little to worry about in this department.
Come Cold
Not only are metal roofs more durable in regards to heavy snow and ice, they also retain much more heat than asphalt shingle roofs on winter nights. A study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that the airspace below a metal roof was 20 degrees warmer than the airspace below an asphalt shingle roof.
Come Shine
The typical asphalt roof reflects from up to 25 percent of the sun's heat, whereas a metal roof can reflect up to 75 percent depending on its colour. Studies have shown that a light-coloured metal roof will keep your house 50-60 degrees cooler in the hot summer months, keeping you cool and saving you money on your energy bill.
Metal roofs come in many styles and colours too, and they can add to the aesthetic appeal of your home. Next time you consider re-roofing, remember that metal roofs are roofs for all seasons and that metal roof repair can be a great investment.
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