Questions Many Homeowners Have About Getting a Metal Roof Installed
A metal roof is a good choice for just about any home, as metal is very durable and may last far longer than standard asphalt shingles and tiles. Using long, single pieces of metal may also offer more insulation for your home than small tiles that may allow for gaps that let out your heating or air conditioning. If you're thinking of a metal roof for your home, note a few questions you might have and then discuss these with a roofing contractor if you still need more information.
Why does a metal roof need a specialized roofer?
A metal roof needs to be cut and shaped for your size of roof, and then usually the ends are bent over the corners of your roof before fasteners are put into place. Cutting and shaping a metal roof is a bit different than simply nailing roofing tiles to a surface, and this work may require some specialized tools and skills.
While a general roofing contractor may have experience with a metal roof, don't assume that just any roofer is right for the job or that you can or should try to tackle this work yourself, even if you have experience with welding, metal cutting, and the like. A poor-quality job can mean putting your home at risk for water damage due to gaps between pieces or having the metal come away from its connectors.
Doesn't a metal roof rust?
Aluminum doesn't rust or corrode, so choosing an aluminum roof may be good if you're worried about excessive exposure to humidity and moisture, such as homes near a coastline or in the tropics. However, other metal used for roofs is also protected against corrosion by having a coating added; this may be a zinc plating bath, which keeps the metal from rusting. Powder coating, which refers to a type of color that is added to the roof but in powder form rather than a paint, can also protect a metal roof from developing rust.
Is a metal roof loud?
Don't confuse a home's metal roof with a tin shed; the metal used for your roof will usually include an insulating material underneath it that not only protects your home from heat and air conditioning loss, but also acts to absorb sound. If your metal roof was installed directly over your home's building materials, this probably wouldn't do much to insulate your home as metal conducts heat and cold, but with this added insulating material, your home is comfortable against extremes in temperature and also against noise.