FACT: The technology used to make steel / metal roofing has dramatically improved over the last three decades. Steel mills have continued to develop steel that will out perform steel products made 20 or more years ago. Improvements to an already long-lasting product. The introduction of Galvalume (zinc-aluminum alloy coating) to the market place in the 1980's has made a significant positive impact regarding performance and service life of steel / metal roofing. Today's Galvalume properly installed in steel / metal roofing application has been formally documented to achieve a predicted service life of 80+ years. This is exciting news!
FACT: Paint systems have also made significant performance improvements. Since the mid-1990's paint companies standard offering has improved from 10 to 25 to 35 to currently 40-year limited warranty paint systems. Paint warranties address chalk, fade, peel and cracking. Vivid colors and dark colors once thought to only cause a structure to absorb heat, now actually reflect radiant heat resulting in Energy Star Rated coatings which reduce energy consumption.
FACT: Longevity is one of the top reasons consumers report choosing metal roofing for their homes. But it isn't just the dependability that people love about long-living metal roofing; it's the low life cycle cost. Few homeowners realize until after the fact but metal roofing can actually cost as little or less than asphalt roofing. Since asphalt roofing needs to be replaced 2 - 4 times as often as metal roofing, you really need to multiply not only the initial cost of asphalt roofing materials but also the cost of asphalt roof repairs and re-installation man hours to compare to the typical "once-a-lifetime" metal roofing installation.
FACT: More and more, homeowners are seeking out energy-saving building materials for their renovations and new homes, products that not only secure and improve structures but also provide long-term cost-cutting on energy bills while promoting environmental and economic sustainability in the greater community.
As reported by the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, installation of reflective metal roofing can save your home up to 40% in summer cooling energy costs while highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 ° F. Combined, these benefits mean less money out of your wallet, less dependence on energy resources and less general air pollution in your neighborhood and across the nation.
The secret to metal roofing's energy savings is in its variety of finishes. As shown above, the basic, unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation usually absorbed in your attic and home by an asphalt roof. But, for homes in warmer climates, pre-painted metal roof system not only reflects solar energy but also cools your home by re-emitting most of what solar radiation is absorbed. Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive pre-painted metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation.
FACT: Metal roofing manufactured by Gideon Steel is composed of minimum 25% recycled material and can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste and promoting quick installation as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty.
Myths Uncovered
Lightning. A metal roof will not increase the likelihood of lightning striking your home. However, if your home were hit by lightning, your metal roof would disperse the energy safely throughout the structure. Since metal roofing isn't combustible or flammable, it's a low risk and desirable roofing option where severe weather is concerned, especially for lightning.
Noise. A common misconception is that a metal roof will be noisier than other types of roofing. When installed with solid sheathing, a metal roof on your home will actually silence noise from rain, hail and bad weather, many times much better than other roofing materials.
Rust. Today's metal roofing systems are built to last. Steel metal roofing has a "metallic coating" made of either zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum. This metallic coating prevents rust from forming and is bonded to the steel at the factory. Paint is then applied over the metallic coating to provide the long-lasting color homeowners desire.
Dents. In most cases, a metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like hail, high winds, and heavy snow. Today's systems also have a 150-mph wind rating (equal to an F2 tornado), meaning your metal roof is also safe from wind gusts that can accompany hail storms.
Durability. Many people think you can't (or shouldn't) walk on a metal roof, but the truth is that you can safely walk any metal roof without damaging it.
Facts, Myths Uncovered about Steel / Metal Roofing
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