Many homeowners know that metal roofing has the distinct advantage of a significantly longer lifespan than asphalt shingles. A metal roof can last for 50 or more years, something that cannot be expected from shingles. Roofers in Gig Harbor can explain other advantages of this material, as their customers must decide whether the extra cost for metal is worth the investment.
Lighter Weight
Because metal is so lightweight, it often can be installed on top of other roofing materials. Roofers in Gig Harbor will need to evaluate the situation to confirm whether that strategy will work for a particular home. However, if two layers of asphalt shingles can simply be covered with metal, that will make the price of metal more competitive with new asphalt shingles. This is because a third layer of shingles cannot be installed on most roofs due to weight. There will be labor and disposal costs for removal of the previous two layers.
Recycled Material
Metal roofing panels include a large amount of recycled material, with some containing more than 90 percent recycled metal. Asphalt shingles are made with new components. Both metal and shingle roofing can be recycled at the end of the roof’s life but, as of now, this is much more common with metal. Used asphalt shingles are increasingly broken down for pavement applications although, unfortunately, some 20 billion pounds of these items still go to landfills each year.
Fire Resistance
It’s a myth that metal attracts lightning. Lightning simply moves toward the highest point in the vicinity, which often is made of metal. In the rare event that lightning ever does strike a metal roof, it will not start on fire.
Resistance Against Critters
The material is resistant to insects and other bugs and is of no interest to rodents. Squirrels won’t gnaw on it, and the metal will block the invasion of mice, carpenter ants, and other unwanted critters.
Components
Metal systems installed by companies like Acme Roofing most commonly are made of aluminum, steel, and galvanized steel, which is steel coated with zinc. Both the aluminum and steel panels also have a protective coating that is resistant to corrosion from sea salt, fading from ultraviolet light, and scratching from various materials that might strike the roof’s surface.
