Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About
Metal Roofs
- How does the cost of a metal
roof cost compare to other roofs? Answer
- Can I walk on a metal
roof? Answer
- Is a metal roof noisy when it
rains? Answer
- Can a metal roof be
damaged by hail? Answer
- How about resistance to wind
damage? Answer
- Is a metal roof fire safe?
Answer
- How does the weight of a
metal roof compare to other types of roofing? Answer
- Will a metal roof rust?
Answer
- Does the color fade?
Answer
- What about lightning?
Answer
- If I'm re-roofing, do I have
to remove the old roof before installing the metal roof?
Answer
- Will a metal roof make my
house hot? Answer
Answers How does the cost of a metal roof
cost compare to other roofs? Metal roofs are a
premium product. Although initial costs for a metal
roof manufactured from high performance pre-painted steel maybe
slightly higher when compared to roofs made from other materials,
substantial long-term savings can be realised over a period of time
(i.e. life-cycle cost analysis). This is because metal
roofs will outlast any asphalt/fiberglass shingle or
concrete tile roof. Additionally, metal roofs have
many advantages
and benefits over
asphalt/fiberglass shingle roofs.
Can I walk on a metal
roof? Yes you can; however, like
walking on any roof, you should be careful.
Is a metal roof noisy when
it rains? No, metal roofs are not
really all that noisy when it rains. According to one study, the
noise levels of a metal roof are about the same as other roofing
products such as asphalt or wood shingles or clay tiles.
Can a metal roof be
damaged by hail? Metal roofs are
very tough and highly resistant to hail damage... much more so than
asphalt/fiberglass shingles. In fact, many metal roofing products
have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by the
insurance commissions in the hail belt regions of the U.S. Some
insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for metal roofs.
How about resistance to
wind damage? All metal roofing
products are very wind resistant. Many styles have been tested to
withstand hurricane force winds; and wind warranties can be as high
as 120mph.
Is a metal roof fire
safe? A steel roof is the most fire
safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material
with a Class "A" rating - the highest rating given.
How does the weight of a
metal roof compare to other types of
roofing? Much to many peoples
surprise, metal roofs are significantly lighter than other types of
roofs. Typically they weigh less than one-third the weight of
asphalt/fiberglass shingles; and are as much as 75% lighter than
clay, concrete or slate.
Will a metal roof
rust? Genuine 55% Aluminum-Zinc
coated steel roofing panels are protected by layers of metallic and
polymer coatings. Industry studies have repeatedly shown them to
outperform the corrosion resistance of other coated metals. They are
available from Colourcoil Industries with 25 year warranty* against
corrosion.
Does the color
fade? Colour fading affects all painted
surfaces when exposed outdoors. The question is when or rather how
fast. Commercial Quality (CQ) pre-painted steel, coated with low
quality paints will fade very quickly, sometimes in as quick as 3 to
5 years. On the other hand, Colourcoil high
performance pre-painted steel are coated with special paints
containing high-performance polymers that have exceptional
weathering properties. The are available in a wide variety of
colours and come with warranties* of up to 20 years against
colour fading, chalking and delamination.
Over time you might notice a slight change in roof
color due to the settling of airborne contamination, but occasional
rain or washing the roof with a garden hose (from the ground) will
keep the roof looking like new.
What about lightning?
Contrary to popular belief, a metal
roof is no more likely to attract lightning than any other type of
roof. Consider trees (made of wood) which frequently attract
lightning. Studies prove that lightning is attracted to the
highest surrounding objects, regardless of their composition.
In the event lightning were to strike a metal roof, it will not
catch fire and combust like wood. Rather, it will help to
disperse the electrical charge over a larger surface
area.
If I'm re-roofing, do
I have to remove the old roof before installing the metal
roof? Usually not if you're
installing the metal roof over existing asphalt, fiberglass or
composition shingles (maximum of two layers thick). In most
situations, the metal roof can be installed directly over the old
roof.
Will a metal roof make my
house hot? Actually, a metal roof
can save you money on your a/c costs because it has a higher heat
reflectivity than other roofing products like asphalt/fiberglass
shingles, wood, tile, etc. During the summer it makes buildings
cooler by efficiently reflecting away sunlight and reducing the
amount of heat transmitted into the building. Likewise, it makes
buildings warmer in the winter by reflecting inside heat from the
underside of the roof back into the building. This good thermal
reflectivity translates into energy savings by reducing cooling
costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter.
*Warranty terms & conditions
apply |