Category: Metal Roofing

Ready to have a new metal roof installed on your home? They come with a huge range of benefits, so they’re a great option for many homeowners. One of these benefits is that metal can be made in almost any color that you can think of. As such, you have a massive range of metal roof color choices open to you. 

Because that range is so huge, it becomes difficult to decide exactly what color you want for your metal roof. Not to worry, though, as this guide will help you find just the right color and help your roof blend in with the rest of your home. 

Check With Your HOA

When picking a roof color, the first thing to do is check with your HOA if you have one. They will have restrictions on the type of roof that you install, and that means that sometimes they’ll ban metal roofs in general. As such, you need to check these rules before you book to have your new roof installed. 

If you have the go ahead to install a metal roof, the next thing you need to think about is the color. There are often restrictions on the specific color that you can use on your roof, so that’s going to narrow down your options quite a bit. 

HOAs often restrict certain colors as they don’t want the metal roof to look too industrial or don’t want the roof to go against the look of other roofs in the area. If you live in a historic property or in a landmark district, there may also be limitations on color to ensure it blends in with surrounding buildings too. 

Think About Your Own Preference

If there aren’t any limitations on the color, you can choose for your metal roof, where do you start? The best place is with your own personal preferences. After all, it’s your roof and your home, so your roof can be any color that you want it to be. 

So firstly, think about what colors you think would look good on your home. What do you want to see every day when you stand outside your home? As so many colors are available, you should be able to get the shade that you want. 

Pick Complementary Colors

When it comes to metal roof color choices and picking out the best one, a very good idea is to look at the surrounding architecture. That can show you what color to pick, as you’ll want to go with a color that complements what’s already there. 

For example, check out the doors and window frames, siding, railings, exterior trim, and more. What color are they? What colors would go with them? If you’re not entirely sure what color to go with, your roofer can always offer recommendations. 

If you do have your heart set on a particular color, you can make it blend in with your home by choosing new colors for the rest of the building. Painting the doors and window frames the same color as your new roof, for example, will help the new color work.

Match Up With The Neighborhood

It’s more than likely that your home was built in the same style as the homes around it. If you don’t know where to start when choosing a color, take a look around the neighborhood. You’ll see that most homes use the same color for their roofs. 

As such, you can make choosing easy by picking a color that’s similar to those homes around you. This is always a good option if you want your home to blend in. Plus, it also helps when you’re getting a metal roof when there aren’t many metal roofs in the area. 

Consider Your Location

Where your home is located will also affect what color you get for your new metal roof. If you live in a forested area, for example, then you’ll see a lot of new roofs being installed in an earth tone, such as a bronze, gray or evergreen finish. 

If you live in a more tropical climate, though, you’ll see that the roofs here are often brighter and more eye catching. Think bright blues, coppers, and greens. 

Again, you can take a look around the neighborhood to see what others are using for their roofs. There are lots of different options, so something here should work for you. 

Pick According To Your Home’s Style

Something else that affects the color of your metal roof is the architectural style of your home as a whole. The roof color is often dictated by the style, so you can use this as a guide. Here are some examples of common home architectural styles in the US and the roof colors they use. 

• Ranch: You’ll often see roofs on ranch homes use dark bronzes, charcoal grays, and white.
• Cape Cod: With these homes, you’ll see their roofs are often bronze, slate gray, or sandstone in color. 
• Modern: A modern home will typically use blacks, whites, and grays on its roofs. 
• Craftsman: A Craftsman home will often use grays, tans, or slate blue as a roof color. 

Light And UV Reflective Properties

Finally, something you need to think about when it comes to roof color is how it reflects light. This is especially important if you live in a warmer climate. The color of the roof affects how much light and heat is absorbed by the roof and transferred into your home. The more heat absorbed, the more you’ll be spending on your energy bills to keep your home cool.

If you pick a lighter color for your roof, then that will help it reflect UV rays and therefore keep heat out of your home. That’s something that you’ll want to consider when picking out a roof color. 

Metal Roof Color Choices: Which One Fits Your Home Best?

There’s a lot that goes into picking a good roof color. With this guide, you’ll be able to find a color that suits your home and gives your new metal roof just the right look for your home’s style and neighborhood.

And if you live in Virginia areas such as Middleburg, Winchester, Leesburg, or Warrenton, we’ll be happy to help you with your metal roofing needs.

There are many reasons you’ll consider having a metal roof installed in your home. They offer great longevity, are great at resisting leaks, and are very easy to maintain. If you are considering having a metal roof installed, then you’ll need to consider having it insulated, too. Here’s why it’s so important, especially for metal roofs. 

What Metal Roof Insulation Does

While it’s especially important for metal roofs, you can have roof insulation installed on any roof that you get. The insulation is material that’s designed to prevent the transfer of heat. Rather than allowing heat from your home to travel up into the attic and out through the roof, it keeps it in your home instead. 

As well as preventing heat loss, it also dampens sound. This will mostly help stop the sound of rain hitting your roof from being loud inside your home. That’s something that a lot of homeowners will worry about, especially when they have a metal roof installed. 

The Importance Of Metal Roof Insulation

With all this in mind, why is it so important that you have your metal roof insulated? There are a lot of reasons why you’ll want to have this done when you have the roof installed. Here are just a few reasons that you should consider:

Reducing noise: When you think of a metal roof, you often think about the noise that rain makes on it inside a building. You most likely think of it being rather loud, and worry about what it would be like in your home. 

While many will tell you that metal roofs are noisy by default, that isn’t actually the case. The key is to insulate the roof after it has been installed. If you’ve ever been under a noisy metal roof while it’s raining, the roof won’t have been insulated. 

Insulation helps as it absorbs that noise when the rain starts to come down. That works, along with other components of your roof such as the underlayment and decking. As such, you don’t have to worry about the noise with a metal roof at all. 

Saving on your energy bills: Money is always going to be a concern when it comes to your roof. Having a metal roof installed isn’t the cheapest option out there, so you’ll be looking for other ways to save cash. The good news is that if you have the roof properly insulated, you will save money on your bills in the long run. 

That’s because insulation will help regulate the temperature of your home overall. As heated or cooled air can’t escape through the roof, you’re not spending longer trying to keep the temperature stable and so you will need to use your HVAC less. The less you use it, the less you’ll be spending on those utility bills. 

Saving the environment: On a similar topic to saving money, today’s homeowners are more aware of the impact their homes have on the environment. Having a new roof installed is always going to impact the environment, but metal roofs are often a good choice. That’s because they’re often made from at least partly recycled materials, and once you do need to replace them, the materials can be recycled again. 

As well as this, if you’re insulating the roof, you’ll see you can use much less energy overall in heating and cooling your home. When you do this, you’ll be able to not only reduce the bills but reduce the use of fossil fuels to do so. 

Prevent ice dams on your roof: Ice dams are something that you really want to avoid on your roof, as they can lead to a lot of damage. They happen when snow on the roof starts to melt and then makes its way to the edge. As it’s colder at the edge, it refreezes and causes a blockage. That stops snow and water from getting off the roof, and eventually will lead to leaks over time. If not caught quickly enough, that will create a big repair bill for you. 

Typically, ice dams happen because the heat from your home is rising through your roof, allowing the snow to melt. Since the edge of your roof won’t be as warm, that’s why it’s refreezing. That’s something that you can avoid with proper insulation. As the insulation stops heat from rising, it won’t allow the snow to melt as quickly and so will avoid ice dams forming. 

Reduce humidity: Finally, one of the best ways to reduce the humidity in your attic is to have good insulation installed. This is something you’ll want to do, as moisture build up is the no. 1 enemy of your roof. If the humidity builds, its leads to rot, mold, mildew, and more. These all endanger the roof structure and will lead to significant repairs being needed if left long enough. 

When you have proper insulation in that metal roof, that will stop the moisture levels from getting too high. As such, it’s going to drastically reduce the amount of maintenance you need to do, as well as reduce the chances of damage to the roof structure. Paired with proper roof ventilation, it’ll work well here. 

Getting Your Roof Insulated

As you’re having a metal roof installed, you’ll want to talk to your roofer about insulation. Any good roofer will want to insulate the roof themselves or pass you on to a trusted insulation company to get the job done. 

Make sure you do ask about this at the planning stages of your new roof. When you do so, you’ll be able to properly protect your investment and keep it going for the long haul. 

You can see that there are so many reasons why you’ll want to have your new metal roof insulated. With the right insulation, you’ll prevent sound, reduce your energy bills, and keep the roof in better condition for longer. Have your new roof insulated at the same time, and you’ll start reaping the rewards right away. 

If you live in Virginia areas such as Middleburg, Winchester, Leesburg, or Warrenton, we’ll be happy to help you with your metal roofing needs.

There are so many reasons why you may want to consider getting a metal roof installed in your home. The problem is there are often some issues that you may think they have. One of the biggest worries homeowners have is that of rain. So are metal roofs noisy? Let’s see what happens when it rains on a metal roof and how it will affect your home. 

Are Metal Roofs Noisy In The Rain?

If you’ve ever been in a building with a metal roof, such as a garage or pole building, you may well have heard the rain on them. Even if you’re just getting a light shower, it makes a large din when standing underneath it. As such, you may wonder why people have metal roofs installed in their homes. Aren’t they going to have to deal with that noise every time there’s wet weather?

While this is true with these kinds of roofs, residential metal roofs are installed slightly differently. When these roofs are installed, they will first have a plywood deck and insulation. These are key things that make the roof more effective against the elements and actually dampen the sound of rain. 

Some homeowners may consider installing their metal roof over the existing shingle roof. They may have this done for several reasons, such as saving money on roof replacement. An unexpected benefit is that the shingles will add another sound barrier between the roof and your home that will muffle the sound further. 

If you’re under a residential metal roof when it rains or hails, you’ll hear that the rain is as loud as it would be under a shingle or tile roof. You may be surprised to hear that, but it’s true. 

Benefits Of Metal Roofing

So, you can see that a metal roof can be installed on a residential home without worrying about the sound of rain drowning everything else out when you’re under it. There are many other benefits to a metal roof, too, so you’ll want to consider them. 

Longevity

One of the best things about metal roofs is how long they last. Several reasons exist, such as the installed panels’ design and the metal’s hardiness. Because of this, you’ll see that the roof will last for up to 70 years with the right care. 

That’s very tempting for a homeowner, as essentially, once you have the roof installed, you’ll never have to worry about it again for as long as you live there. Roof replacements get expensive, so only having to do the job once is something you’ll like with metal roofs. 

Superb water resistance

Water is the number one enemy of any roof. If it manages to get in, it can cause all sorts of havoc. That includes water leaks in your home, stains, wood rot in the timbers, and more. If it gets bad enough, it can lead to you needing to replace the roof entirely. That will be costly, so you want to avoid this. 

Metal roofs are a good choice if you want to keep water out of your roof. As a material, metal is non permeable, and they’re protected by coatings that make them water resistant for longer. You’ll also see that they’re installed in large sheets, ensuring that there are fewer seams that water can get in through. With advanced seam connecting technology, though, it’s unlikely that this will happen. 

Highly fire resistant

Another massive benefit of a metal roof is that they’re one of the most fire resistant roof types. In fact, they get a Class A fire rating, the highest rating you can get. That’s something that will give you a lot of peace of mind. Should you live in an area prone to wildfires, or even if something burning gets blown onto your roof, you know that it won’t catch fire and be dangerous to the rest of your home. 

Environmentally friendly

Here’s a benefit of metal roofs that you may not have realized. Metal roofs are one of the most economically friendly ways to replace your roof. That’s because they typically have up to 95% recycled content in them, helping cut down on emissions when they’re being made. They also are recyclable when they come to the end of their life, so you won’t see them end up in a landfill, much like shingles do. 

Energy efficiency

Related to the above point, a metal roof will typically be much more energy efficient than other roofs. The metal will reflect a lot of sunlight rather than absorb it. That ensures that you will get less heat into your home, so you won’t need to spend as much on cooling your energy bills. 

This is improved further when the roof is insulated when installed. As well as muffling the sound of rain, it will keep heated or cooled air in your home rather than letting it escape. You’ll also see that it helps stop the formation of ice dams in winter. 

What To Consider When Getting A Metal Roof

You’ll want to have a metal roof installed on your home for many reasons. Thanks to the installation requirements, you will need to consider that metal roofs are more expensive than other types. They’ll also need the right fasteners to cope with expanding and contracting the metal throughout the year. In many cases, though, it’s worth the cost, as a metal roof offers many benefits. 

Final Thought

As you can see, metal roofs aren’t actually noisier than other roofing materials on the market. It’s all about how the roof is installed and the insulation between the roof itself and your home. 

When is it time for a metal roof restoration? Read below for all the key information.

Many people choose to have a metal roof installed on their home, as they offer the most durable option. Even the most well-cared-for metal roof will need some care and attention though. If your roof is looking tired, is it time for a restoration, or will you need to replace it?

Restore Or Replace?

What’s the difference between restoring or replacing a roof? There are a few things that you need to know. Restoring a metal roof will involve making smaller repairs, to restore the roof to be fully watertight and protected. It’s a cost-efficient option, and you’ll be able to keep the roof you have without having to spend more than you need to. 

In some cases, a roof will be too damaged for restoration. In these cases, they’ll need to be fully replaced in order to keep the building protected. It’ll also be the most sensible option if the roof is nearing its maximum lifespan. 

Metal Roof Restoration

Even the best kept metal roofs will suffer the ravages of time. Being exposed to the elements for a long time will make them look dull, and cause some minor damage. If you’re seeing some issues, don’t panic and think that you have to replace the roof. You could just restore it so it’s back to its former glory. 

Restoring a roof will correct minor issues, but if your roof is aging or has more serious problems, you won’t be able to fix them with this method. In these cases, a roof replacement will make more sense. 

How Do You Restore a Metal Roof?

Replacing shingles or panels: Is there damage to just one section of the roof? If so, then the whole roof won’t have to come off. Instead, you can just replace that section. 

Most metal roofs are created in panels, which are designed to fit together. If one area is damaged, then you can just take the panel off and replace it with a new one. There’s also the option to use metal shingles. If you used these when replacing your roof, you can simply take off the damaged ones and replace them, the same way you would with asphalt shingles. 

This method works best if the area has suffered rust or water damage, or has faulty hardware. As you replace these sections, always check the surrounding area for damage. You’ll want to catch that now before it has the chance to spread. 

Coating your metal roof: When you have your roof installed, you have the option of adding a coating to it. These coatings are designed as an extra barrier against the elements, keeping the roof in good condition. It’s a good idea to add one, as they help that roof last even longer. 

You’ll have a choice of coatings, so you can pick the one that’s right for you. Silicone coatings, for example, are highly long lasting. There are also cool roof coatings that reflect the sun and help you keep your cooling bills down. 

These coatings will need to be reapplied regularly, in order to work as well as possible. When you have your roof installed, your team will let you know how often you should expect to reapply it. Check your roof around this time, and have the coating reapplied to protect it. 

When To Replace Your Metal Roof

While you’re taking the best care of your metal roof, it will, at some point, degrade. They can only last for around 60 years maximum, so if yours is reaching the end of its lifespan, restoring it won’t be the right choice. There are some other ways you’ll know it’s time for a new roof too:

Leaking roof: Are you seeing your roof start to leak? That’s a sign that the roof is starting to fail, and that restoration alone won’t fix it. This could be happening because a panel has failed, a misshapen roof panel is letting water in, a storm has damaged the roof, and so on. 

If this is left to continue, you’ll see that water damage builds up, and mold begins to form. This is highly problematic for your roof and will be expensive repairs later down the line. Replacing the roof will stop this damage in its tracks. 

Rust: A small patch of rust, located to one panel, isn’t too much to worry about. If you’re seeing that rust creeping over your roof, then that’s a real problem. When rust forms, that’s a sign that the protective coating has failed. It allows air and moisture to come into contact with the roof and allows rust to form. 

If the rust is too widespread, the damage will be too great for restoration. As such, the roof will need to be replaced. It can lead to leaks and other issues, so it needs to be handled as soon as possible. 

Loose or dented roof: Most metal roofs can withstand quite a lot when it comes to severe weather. However, it can’t take on everything, and some can be damaged after a storm. They can lift and bend panels, and that leads to more problems. 

For example, if a metal roof has lifted, then that can allow rodents and other pests to make their home in the roof. They of course lead to even more problems that you don’t want to deal with. As well as this, you’ll see more water coming in and damaging the roof. 

The only way to fix this will be to replace the roof. You’ll need to consider severe weather when replacing the roof, to ensure you pick a material that can withstand high winds.

Conclusion

Now you know what damage on your metal roof can be repaired, and what needs to be replaced. Restoration can help you get the most out of your metal roof, and keep it going for years to come. If the damage is too great though, it’s always best to replace the roof.

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A metal roof offers a lot of benefits to you as a homeowner. They’re an excellent investment in your home, and they’ll keep you safe from the elements for years to come. If you’re thinking about using them, you’ll soon find that there are lots of different versions of metal roofing panels. Which one should you use?

Here’s what’s available to you, and what’s best for your home.

Why Choose A Metal Roof?

Firstly, you should consider whether a metal roof is right for you in the first place. There are plenty of options out there when it comes to roofing materials. Is metal the right one for you?

There are lots of benefits to a metal roof that you won’t get anywhere else. Here’s some that you can take advantage of:

Long lasting roofing material: One of the main things you should look at when choosing a roofing material is its lifespan of it. Asphalt shingles, for example, are often cheaper as they have a shorter lifespan of around 20 years. Metal roofing is very long lasting, and can last up to 70 years, depending on how well they’re taken care of. That means you’ll get much longer out of it, before it needs to be replaced again. 

Fire safety: Metal roofs have some of the best fire ratings out there, being tested as Class A for fire resistance. That’s great news for you, as you’ll know your roof won’t spark or ignite if there is ever a fire on the property. 

Environmental benefits: As homeowners are now looking to be more ecologically sound when they plan their home renovations, you’ll be glad to know that metal roofs are some of the most environmentally friendly options out there for you. This is because they’re typically made with at least 25% recycled content. Plus, all components of them can be recycled at the end of their lifespan. 

Durable design: A metal roof can take almost anything the weather can throw at it. As they’re installed in panels, they offer less inlets for water to get in and potentially damage the roof structure. Some models are impact resistant, and they can stand up to high winds with ease. Whatever kind of weather you get in your region, you won’t have to worry about your roof.

Energy efficiency: Again when thinking about the environmental impact of your home, a metal roof can help. They manage to deflect UV rays, which means that heat won’t make its way into your home. Because of this, you’ll be able to keep your utility bills down.

There are a couple of disadvantages that come with metals roofs too, which you need to be aware of. These include:

Higher costs: The one drawback that many people find with a metal roof is that they often come with a higher price tag. That’s to be expected with the quality of the material, and the longer lifespan. You’ll have to consider whether you have enough in your budget to cover this. 

Noise: If you get heavy rain or hail, then it can be very noisy on your roof. You can add roof insulation to dampen the sound, but again this is another added cost. You’ll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Which Metal Roof Panel Is Right For You?

Now that you’ve decided on a metal roof, you’ll need to decide what kind of metal roof panel you’ll want to use. Here are the most common ones that are available to you, and why you may want to use them: 

29 gauge corrugated metal roofing: This is a common type of screw-down metal roofing that’s most commonly used in agricultural settings. It uses an exposed fastener model to attach to the roof frame, and so is quick and easy to install. While they can be used on homes, they’re not the type of panel that’s most recommended for residential use.

R panels: These are another type of exposed metal fastener, and these are most typically are used on commercial and industrial buildings. They offer a lot of value as again, they’re easy and quick to get installed. They certainly could be used on residential buildings, but again they’re not recommended. An exposed fastener metal roof will give you a lot of benefits, but they won’t last as long as other panel types on this list.

26 gauge nail fin: These panels are slightly different, using a snap-lock method to connect together on your roof. Rather than using a clip, they use pre-punched holes on the side of the metal so it’s simple to attach them. If you want to use these panels, you will need a solid roof deck to do so. They do work well as a residential roofing material, so they’re something to consider. 

1-3/4” snap-lock panels: These are another type of standing seam panel, like 26 gauge nail fin, but they’re a more versatile panel. That’s because they’re great for both commercial and residential roofing projects. They use a clip system of attaching panels together, which makes installation easier and helps prevent water from getting in. However, they will need to be installed on a roof pitch of at least 3 to 12 to work. They also cannot be installed over open purloins.

Mechanically seamed metal roofing panels: There are a few types of mechanically seamed metal roofing panels, and they’re all a great choice for residential projects. These panels are installed on the roof with standing seams, which are then crimped together. That creates a watertight seal against rainwater, making it great for protecting the roof. They also work well on low slope roofs, typically any roof that has a pitch below 3/12.

Conclusion

Metal roofs are great for homes as there are lots of different options, allowing you to properly protect your home. Take a look at the types of metal panels listed above, and see which one would work best on your property.

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