Understanding Manufacturing Equipment

Banging Out The Truth Masked By Common Metal Roofing Myths

by Tomothy Perez

There's a growing trend in the residential roofing market: metal roofs! They seem to be popping up everywhere, replacing many shingle roofs in suburban and rural areas. Their predominant benefit (though they have many) is that they can last up to 80 years whereas the typical asphalt shingle roof only lasts 20. Yet, some homeowner are resistant to the idea of metal roofing, usually because they've heard some negative myths about them.

Metal roofs are noisy when it rains.

If you've ever been inside a pole barn when it rains, you've probably heard the loud noise from the rain pouring down on the roof. So many people assume that if they put a metal roof on their home, they'll hear the same sound. But this is not the case! Pole barns are often made without insulation because they're just storage structures. If a metal roof is put on your home, you can bet your roofer will install a good, thick layer of insulation beneath it. Plus, it will be mounted on a wooden underlayment. The wood and the insulation don't just prevent heat transfer – they also prevent sound transfer. The sound of rain on the roof won't be any louder with metal than with a shingle roof.

Your metal roof will get rusty.

The metal roofs put on barns a hundred years ago may have rusted away, but modern metal roofs won't. Most are made either from aluminum, which does not rust, or from a galvanized steel that has zinc added to prevent rusting. Some corrosion may occur as your metal roof ages, but having the roof re-painted or re-coated with a water resistant spray every few years will keep this to a minimum.

Metal roofing isn't natural and "green."

No, it's not made from biodegradable wood or paper, but that does not mean metal roofing is not "green" or good for the earth. Many metal roofs are made from recycled metal that would have otherwise sat in the landfill. When your metal roof does need to be replaced, it can likely be recycled again. Metal roofing also reflects a lot of sunlight in the summer, so this tends to keep your home cooler and reduce the amount of electricity your AC unit uses.

If you want a roof that's going to last for years, look great, and be good for the earth, metal is a wise choice after all. Talk to a professional like JD Metals.

Share