Southeastern Building Products
Although metal has been used as a roofing material for centuries, its popularity has really exploded since the turn of the century. Metal roofs today have grown to capture nearly 15% of the total market, which represents quadruple the market share they enjoyed 20 years ago. This increased adoption can’t be attributed to one single factor—there are lots of reasons homeowners and contractors alike are embracing the shift. Here are some of the most important.
Energy Efficiency Metal roofs,
Particularly those with in lighter paint colors, reflect more of the sun’s heat away from the house than shingles or tile roofs. This makes them very energy efficient. The right metal roof can result in savings of up to 40% in air conditioning costs in the summer. During winter months, metal roofs provide excellent insulation from the cold and the elements.
Appearance
The number of options for homeowners looking to put a metal roof on their house has exploded in recent years. The most common residential panel out there—Ag panel—there are hundreds of unique panel profiles on the market today. This increased diversity means that there’s a panel for every design and color preference. Now available in a wide array of beautiful, contemporary designs and colors, metal roofs offer a modern flair and sleek appearance that may better match the architectural style of your home and increase its curb appeal.
Durability and Longevity
Perhaps the most important selling point for residential metal roofing today is durability. If you live in an area that’s been impacted by hurricanes recently (as we do), you’ve seen this firsthand. After Hurricane Florence on parts of the NC coast, many of the only roofs left intact were metal. Metal roofing is highly wind resistant when properly installed, able to withstand run-of-the-mill thunderstorms and hurricanes alike. Metal roofs also hold up well against hail and heavy snow. They don’t crack, erode, or perforate due to exposure to the elements, so they can last over 40 years—often double that of asphalt shingles. Metal is also not susceptible to mold, termites, or wood rot.
Low Maintenance
A metal roofing system is as close to maintenance-free as you can get. Most metal roofs just need to be hosed down about once a year and the gutters and downspouts checked for debris to be sure they’re operating efficiently. With their cost savings due to energy efficiency and low maintenance, their durability and resiliency, metal roofing systems offer incredible long-term value. The materials themselves have also become cheaper than asphalt shingles on a per-square basis in many cases. When weighing all these factors in addition to their attractive appearance, it’s easy to understand why so many homeowners are choosing metal for their next roof.
