The Few and the Fearless: A Blog About Roofers

It's often confusing to choose the best roof for your home. You want roofing that's durable and attractive. You might also want a new roof that lasts for decades so you don't have to go through the process of getting a new roof put on your home again. In that case, metal might be the right choice for your home. Here are some points about metal roofing to discuss with a roofing contractor when you need help deciding if a metal roof is right for you.

How Metal Roofing Stands Up To Storms

Metal roofing is made to survive strong winds and hail. Hail could dent a metal roof, but the damage might just be cosmetic. Hail can destroy an asphalt shingle roof and lead to leaking if the roof isn't replaced soon enough. Metal roofs are often made of long panels of roofing that give the roof extra support in strong winds that could rip off individual shingles.

Metal roofing is an excellent choice if you get a lot of storms in your area. Plus, you don't have to worry about the rain creating too much noise. As long as your attic has adequate insulation, you shouldn't hear the rain pattering down on the roof.

What Type Of Repairs Might Be Needed

Since metal roofs are so durable, you might not need to make many repairs due to storms, tree branches brushing the roof, or animals gnawing their way through the panels. However, since the roof is made of metal, rust is a possibility. Metal roofing is treated not to rust, but in areas where screws go through the panels or where the roofing is scratched, rust is a possibility.

Even though metal roofing is durable, it still needs to be checked regularly to look for signs of rust, screws that have backed out, and metal washers that have deteriorated. By keeping up with these minor repairs, roof maintenance will be easier than if you wait until rust spreads or a leak develops due to a missing fastener.

How Long The Roof Should Last

Ask your roofing contractor about the life expectancy for your new metal roof, and ask about the warranty too. Metal roofs tend to last decades longer than asphalt shingle roofing. Metal costs more, but the initial cost evens out due to the lower number of roof repairs needed and the much longer lifespan of the roofing material. Different factors affect how long a metal roof will last, but a quality roof might last two or even three times as long as common three-tab shingle roofing.