In 2018, more than 5.34 million homes sold. Though many were in great condition, a lot of them need a little TLC before their new owners can be completely comfortable calling the house a home.
Installing a new roof is one of the best things you can do for any new-to-you house. But with so many eco-friendly roofing materials on the market, how do you decide which one is best?
Metal roofing offers a number of benefits that other materials simply don’t. Here are a few reasons you should choose to install a new metal roof on your house.
1. Metal Roofs Are Durable
The average roof lasts for about 20 years with regular maintenance and repairs. And if the materials get damaged in storms, you can expect to have to replace the roof sooner.
Metal roofs are incredibly durable and storm-resistant. They don’t fly loose in heavy wind like asphalt shingles do and you won’t have to worry nearly as much about water soaking through the metal panels.
The result is a roof that lasts for several decades. If you’re planning on staying in your home for the foreseeable future, a metal roof is a great choice.
2. Metal Is Recyclable
When an experienced roofing contractor replaces your old roof, it creates a lot of waste. After all, the old materials aren’t reusable and have to get thrown away. In most cases, this means taking several loads of old materials to the dump where it sits in the landfill.
Sure, your roofing contractor will recycle the materials that they can. But it won’t negate the amount of waste your old roof generates.
Metal roofs are almost completely recyclable. This means when it does need to get replaced, the old materials won’t sit around decomposing in the landfill—they’ll get recycled into new roofing materials!
3. It’s Low Maintenance
Traditional asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and even stone shingles all require regular maintenance to fully protect your home. If even a single shingle is out of place, your home is at risk for water damage.
When installed by an experienced professional, metal roofs require much less ongoing maintenance. You’ll still want to get the roof inspected each year to make sure there’s no rust or loose flashing.
But because it’s more durable and less susceptible to storm damage, you won’t have to worry about frequent and expensive maintenance.
4. Cuts Cooling and Heating Costs
Believe it or not, metal roofs help cut your heating and cooling costs significantly.
During the heat of the summer, they reflect the sun away from your roof helping keep your attic and upper levels cooler. During the winter, they absorb what heat they can to keep the upper levels warmer.
When the temperatures vary less inside your home, your HVAC system won’t run as often. The less it runs, the more you save on energy costs.
And with the average person paying more than $1,200 per year on electricity alone, saving as much as you can is always a great idea.
5. Adds Value to Your Home
Believe it or not, installing a new roof, no matter what type of materials you use will add value to your home. It reduces the risk of water damage and helps keep the house safe from the elements.
But because metal roofs are so long-lasting, they increase the value of your house far more than other materials. If you’re planning on selling your home in the next 10 or more years, a metal roof is a great choice. You’ll be able to ask a higher price for the home because the roof will still be in great shape.
6. Metal Is Safe
Surprisingly, metal is one of the safest materials on the market. They’re not any more susceptible to lightning strikes than other materials. But they are completely fire resistant.
If your neighbor’s house catches fire, wayward sparks won’t ignite a blaze on your roof. And if lightning does strike, you won’t have to worry about the roof going up in flames.
7. It’s Light
Weight is always an issue. The people who built your house did so with a specific type of roof in mind. For most homes, this means an asphalt shingle roof—one of the lightest roofing materials around.
The attic structure can support the weight of the shingles easily. But if you wanted to upgrade to tile or stone, you might end up paying more to get the support structure reinforced.
Metal roofing is lightweight and can get installed on almost any house without significant modifications to the structure.
8. Metal Comes in Any Color You Can Imagine
For most homeowners, the neighborhood homeowners association determines the colors you can have on your roof. If the colors don’t match up with their list of acceptable shades, you’ll have to find a different option.
Metal roofs come in almost any color you can imagine. This makes it easier to match the neighborhood’s aesthetic and appease your HOA.
Just remember to double-check with your HOA before starting any work. Some neighborhoods restrict the types of materials you can use in addition to color.
If you install the wrong roof anyway, you could end up facing costly fines. Worse, they could ask that you remove the roof and start over with approved materials.
9. They’re Quiet
It might seem like metal roofs would be louder than other materials. But this isn’t the case with modern metal roofing.
It all comes down to the insulation beneath the metal. When installed correctly, the roof will be as quiet as any other material on the market. You won’t have to worry about rain drowning out the sound of your television.
Upgrade Your Home with Eco-Friendly Roofing Materials
Every house will eventually need a new roof. When the time comes, ditch your standard asphalt shingles and upgrade your house with high-quality eco-friendly roofing options.
Contact us today to schedule a free estimate and see the difference that a metal roof can make for your home.