Metal roofing: Pros and cons

Florida's most popular roofing materials include asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and metal roofs. Metal roofs stand out for their durability, sustainability, and styling. They have evolved from plain and industrial metallic finishes to various custom metal roofing panels that mimic tiles, shingles, or even wood shakes.

Besides their looks, metal roofing also enhances:

Your home’s energy efficiency

Metal roofing, especially with reflective coatings, such as granules or paint, can help you save around 40% on energy bills. These roofs can re-emit up to 90% of the solar radiation throughout the day. Since your roof prevents heat from transferring into your attic and other spaces, your home can regulate indoor temperatures without overworking the HVAC systems.

Still, depending on your exact location, you may benefit from an unpainted metal roof to absorb more of the sun’s heat without risking coating damage due to cooler temperatures. Thus, it is always best to consult a professional metal roofing installation company to help you get the most suitable and durable metal roofing solutions.

Your roof’s impact resistance

Metal roofs offer superior resistance against impacts, such as hail, falling branches, or other debris, compared to other roofing materials. Their sturdiness makes them exceptionally difficult to crack, chirp, or fly away during heavy storms, unlike shingles and tiles, which are prone to curl or crack.

Metal roofing's natural resistance to impacts results in less frequent maintenance, making it less demanding and costly than shingles or rolling membranes over time. While metal roofs can go up to 2 years without scheduled maintenance, shingles and flat roofs require yearly maintenance to ensure there aren’t damages that may result in leaks and other issues.

Your home’s fire resistance

Since metal is non-flammable and has a Class A fire resistance rating, getting a professional metal roofing installation for your home provides you an extra layer of protection, whether you live in a fire-prone area.

A residential fire can be emotionally and financially devastating; hence, installing fire-resistant materials and appliances in your home is crucial to prevent significant fire damage should an emergency occur. According to the First Street Foundation, Florida had the third-highest number of properties at fire risk in the country in 2022.

Whether you get custom metal roofing panels or corrugated standard ones, a metal roof can protect your property and family from residential or wildfires, ensuring the roof's integrity and minimizing the risk of collapsing.

Still, there are some factors to consider when choosing metal roofs. Though you can find durable metal roofing solutions for long-lasting solutions with several roofing contractors, you may get discouraged by its price and installation techniques.

Metal roofing can be costly upfront.

This is typically the most significant barrier for many homeowners, as metal is a bit more expensive than asphalt shingles. Depending on the material, a new metal roof ranges between $8,500 and $40,000 for a 2,000-square-foot home. However, it is cheaper than slate roofing, and many affordable metal roofing options are on the market.

For instance, aluminum and steel roofing is generally cheaper than copper or zinc, so if you want to install a new metal roof without breaking the bank, consult a professional metal roofing contractor to find the material and installation method that best suits your budget.

Metal roofs suffer from thermal expansion.

Standard and custom metal roofing panels and tiles tend to expand and contract in size when temperature changes, which can result in loosened fasteners and roof leaks. However, this issue is more common in metal roofs with visible fasteners.

To prevent leaks caused by loosened fasteners in your roof, ensure the roofers properly install the metal panels and maintain your roof at least once every two years.

Get durable metal roofing solutions for long-lasting protection with Atlantic Roofing!

With more than a decade of experience, our Atlantic Roofing crew is proud to serve all of North Central Florida with their roof installation, replacement, and repairs. With us, you get a customized and professional metal roofing installation. From start to finish, we’ll discuss your budget, needs, and desires to leave you with a roof that surpasses your expectations.

Contact us today and get your free estimate!