Tag: metal roofing

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Metal Roofing Residential Roofing

Prepare Now To Avoid Future Metal Roof Hail Damage

If you have a metal roof on your home, you know that there’s very little that can actually cause serious damage to it. A well-installed metal roof can withstand fluctuations in temperature, water, snow, and high winds. However, something you do need to be aware of is the effect hail can have on a metal roof.

Here’s what you need to know, and how you can prepare to avoid metal roof hail damage in the future.

How Can Hail Damage Your Metal Roof?

No roof is impervious to damage, and that includes metal roofs. If you are unlucky, you may find that hail can actually cause some real damage if it’s left untreated. Here’s what you need to know and look out for if you have hail storms in your area:

Dents: Most commonly, you will see heavy hailstone storms leaving dents in your metal roof. If the storm wasn’t too severe these dense may be quite light, but if you had a very heavy hail storm you can get some really pronounced denting on your roof.

Scuffing and scratches: As well as potentially denting your metal roof, you may also see scratches or scuffs in the coating on it. This will be something you need to address quite quickly, as those coatings are used to protect the roof from corrosion. Any gap in the coating can lead to corrosion or water damage, leading to more expensive repairs later down the line.

Damaged fasteners: Fasteners are what hold your metal roof together and onto the roof deck, and these can take on damage too during a hailstorm. Again, this will need to be handled quickly because if a fastener is loose or missing, that will allow water to infiltrate the roof and start causing more issues.

Leaking: If you’ve had a hail storm recently and haven’t checked your roof, the first sign you have of damage to the roof will be leaks in your home. That can be water stains on your ceiling, or mold or wood rot setting in in the timbers of your roof itself. Again, you must check for this quickly because if the damage is left unchecked it’s going to be much worse to repair in the long run.

Metal Roofs And Impact Damage

Seeing all the damage that a hail storm can do to your metal roof is going to be alarming, but the damage that can happen does depend on several factors. You’ll have to consider the following when you are looking to prepare your roof for a coming hail storm:

Metal thickness: This is potentially the most crucial factor when it comes to hail and your roof. If your roof is made of a thicker gauge metal, then it will be less prone to sustaining dents or other damage.

Roof pitch: Something else to consider is the pitch or slope of your roof. If you have a steeper slope on your roof, then that will help reduce damage from hail storms. A flatter roof will take on more damage as it will take the full force of the hail as it comes down.

Roof coating: When you have your metal roof installed, you will see that there is a wide range of coatings that you can apply to it. Many homeowners will choose to use a weather-resistant coating, to help their metal roof resist the elements. These coatings will also help resist impact damage from hail as well.

Prepare To Avoid Metal Roof Hail Damage

With all this in mind, how can you protect your metal roof from a coming hail storm? There are several things that you can do to lessen any potential damage.

Consider hail when having your roof installed: The first thing you need to do is consider future hail storms when you are having your metal roof installed. If you live in an area that is prone to hail storms, then you can take steps to pick the right metal design to resist damage. That could include picking a thicker metal, having the roof pitched higher, and picking the right coating. Your roofer will be able to advise you on what would be best for your home.

Do regular inspections: Whether you are expecting a hail storm or not, you should be doing regular inspections on your roof. These will show you if there are any existing issues, that could be made worse by incoming hail. If you do spot an issue, you can have it put right by a roofer before an incoming storm, so if there is any damage it should be lessened.

Do temporary repairs: If you do find issues with your metal roof before a storm, you may not want to do the full repairs until after the storm has passed. However, you don’t want to leave your roof open to the elements when the hail storm is coming. In this case, you can look at doing temporary repairs to protect your roof until the storm has passed. In some cases, that may simply mean putting down waterproof tarps over the roof to protect it from water damage until the storm is gone and you can have full repairs done.

Look into insurance: In many cases, you will see that your home insurance should cover roof damage and all associated costs. Of course, that will depend on the specific cover you have, and what’s their specific insurer handles. Right now, it’s a good idea to contact your insurer and inquire whether your insurance covers hail damage. If it currently doesn’t, you should look into adding that to your plan so that if there is damage in the future, you can ensure that the repairs are covered by them. 

Conclusion

While a metal roof is at risk of being damaged by hail, there are lots of factors that affect this. If you are aware of them and take steps to prepare your metal roof before any hail storms, you can mitigate the worst of the damage.

And if you live in Virginia areas such as Warren, Middleburg, Winchester, or Fairfax, we’ll be happy to help you with your gutter and reroofing needs.

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Metal Roofing Residential Roofing Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Standing Seam vs Corrugated Metal Roof: What’s The Difference?

Metal roofs are fast becoming one of the most popular options for residential buildings, and as such you are being given more options than ever before for the type of metal roof you can have installed. Right now, the main two types of metal roofs are standing seam roofs and corrugated metal roofs.

Standing seam vs corrugated metal roof: What is the difference between them, and which one is going to be better for your home?

What Are Standing Seam Roofs?

Firstly, let’s take a look at standing seam roofs first. These are roof styles that are more commonly seen on residential buildings. A standing seam roof refers to a roof that is made up of metal panels, which have raised seams that connect them with hidden fasteners.

There are plenty of benefits to getting a standing seam roof, including the following:

Better protection against leaks: One of the biggest benefits of getting this kind of metal roof is the fact that they are stronger against potential leaks. Fasteners are typically one of the biggest culprits for allowing moisture into your roof, and because these roofs use a hidden fastener system, that means water simply can’t get in. Alongside the clip or nail flange system that connects the panels together, that makes your roof more water-tight than most roofing materials out there.

Lots of options when it comes to color: When having a roof-installed camera you are going to want it to look as good as possible. A standing seam roof gives you lots of options, especially when it comes to color. That allows you to match the color to your existing home, as well as the homes around you in the neighborhood. In many cases, you can even get metal standing seam roofs made in custom colors.

Stylish designs: Another reason a lot of homeowners choose a standing seam roof is because they are typically seen as the more stylish option. They have a more streamlined look and have sleeker lines.

As well as the benefits of standing seam routes, you also need to know the drawbacks before you decide on having one installed. These include:

A more involved installation process: When compared to corrugated metal roofs, standing seam roofs are more involved when it comes to installation. As such, this does raise the price of having the roof installed, and it can be tricky to find a contractor who is qualified to install them. 

More expensive: Overall, a standing seam roof will be more expensive to have installed than a corrugated metal roof. As well as the raised installation cost, the metal panels themselves are more expensive to obtain. However, they are still worth considering as the higher cost reflects the higher quality of the roof materials.

What Is A Corrugated Metal Roof?

On the other hand, if you are considering a metal roof you can also go with a corrugated metal roof. These are the first types of metal roofs that became available, and you would typically see them on industrial buildings. There are still some benefits of having a corrugated metal roof installed, over a standing seam roof. These include:

Very affordable option: If you want the benefits of a metal roof, but don’t have the budget for the standing seam option, then you can go with a corrugated metal roof. They are typically 50% less to have installed than the standing seam option, meaning they are comparable in price to asphalt shingles.  The cost reflects the relevant ease of installing such a metal roof, as well as the more affordable option when it comes to the materials.

Plenty of color options: Like the standing seam roofs, you can get a corrugated metal roof in a large range of colors. That way, you will be able to get a color that matches your home.

Energy saving option: Something that’s very tempting about having a corrugated metal roof installed is the fact that they are great for saving energy in your home. Firstly, metal roofs like corrugated roofs are partially made from recycled materials. When the time comes to have the roof replaced again, the roofing materials can be recycled again as well. That makes them much more eco-friendly than the similarly priced asphalt shingles. As well as this, you can have a corrugated metal roof coated to reflect heat, which will enable you to reduce your energy costs in your home.

Of course, there are also drawbacks to having a corrugated metal roof installed. These include:

Shorter lifespans: When compared to a standing seam metal roof, you will see that corrugated metal roofs do not last as long. You can get more out of them when you perform regular maintenance, but overall you will be replacing it sooner. You will also see that you need to perform more maintenance overall to keep it in good condition.

More potential for leaks: Unlike a standing seam roof, a corrugated metal roof is more susceptible to leaking. That’s because the fasteners holding the roof to the deck are exposed to the elements, so over time they can wear out and allow water inside your roof. You will also see that temperatures fluctuating can allow the screws to loosen, even if the roof was installed perfectly. 

Not as good-looking as other options: If you are concerned with keeping up the curb appeal of your home, a corrugated metal roof may not be for you. While a new roof will always make your home look better, it is considered that corrugated metal roofs aren’t as sophisticated as other options on the market.

Standing Seam vs Corrugated Metal Roof

If you want to know more about the differences between standing seam roofs and corrugated metal roofs, then it’s always a good idea to talk to your local roofer. They can let you know what would be better for your home, and give you more info so you can make an informed choice.

Now you know the basics about both standing seam and corrugated metal roofs, so you can pick the one that makes sense for your home.

And if you live in Virginia areas such as Warren, Middleburg, Winchester, or Fairfax, we’ll be happy to help you with your gutter and reroofing needs.

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Metal Roofing Residential Roofing

Metal Roof Home Untouched By Maui Wildfire: Here’s Why

By now you’ll be aware of the Maui wildfires that have ravaged the landscape there, fully incinerating hundreds of homes and currently leaving 115 people dead, with the number expected to rise. 

With so much devastation, there is one home that has seemingly avoided the fires entirely. In aerial pictures of the aftermath of the fires, you can see one white house with a bright red roof seemingly untouched by flames. 

This house belongs to Dora Atwater Millikin, a landscape artist, and her husband Dudley Long Millikin II, a retired portfolio manager. They bought the house just three years ago and avoided the fires themselves because they were in Massachusetts at the time, visiting family. 

So how did their house avoid the wildfires when so many other homes went up in flames? Here’s what most likely preserved it. 

Metal Roofing And Fire Resistance

The biggest reason the Millikins’ house avoided burning is because they had recently replaced the asphalt shingle roof on the house with a metal one. Why is this important? Because on most homes, the roof is where a fire will start during wildfires. 

That’s because your roof has the biggest surface area for embers and burning debris to land on. It’s very easy for burning leaves or even branches from a nearby tree to land on the roof and cause a fire. Depending on the materials used in your roof, it can go up in flames very quickly. 

With a metal roof though, that isn’t going to happen. As metal isn’t flammable, if burning debris lands there then it will simply burn out there without causing damage to the house itself. This is what’s credited towards saving the house. 

Fire Resistance Ratings

If you’re thinking about replacing your roof and living in an area that’s at risk of wildfires, then you’ll want to consider getting a metal roof over other options, such as asphalt shingles or shakes. Want to know what roof option is the most resistant to fire? You can check their fire resistance ratings. 

These ratings are designed to help you see how much any roofing material can resist a fire before catching fire itself. Metal roofs are one of the options that have the highest Class A ratings, meaning that they’re impervious to fire. Because of this, they’re an option that you should very seriously consider. 

Want a closer look at the ratings and what they mean? You can take a look at the NFPA’s page on fire ratings, and what’s taken into consideration when rating a roofing material.

 

 

Trees And Fire Resistance

As well as the metal roof, the Millikins’ home managed to avoid fire due to the landscaping choices that they had also recently made. They had removed a lot of trees and other greenery from the perimeter of their home, as the 100 year old wooden home was at risk of termites. By removing the foliage, they had aimed to reduce their entry into the home. 

By doing this, they had also incidentally protected their home from fire. When you look at advice for avoiding wildfire damage to your home, it is often suggested to remove foliage so there’s less fuel for wildfires around your home. As well as getting a metal roof, it’s a very good idea to mimic this on your own property. 

There are some other good reasons to remove trees around the home, too. If the trees are very close to your roof, it’s much easier for debris to make its way onto it. In the best case scenario, it will cause moss and algae to build up, or get into your gutters and clog them. They also allow a really good route for pests to make their way into your roof. At worst, if there’s a wildfire it’s so easy for burning leaves or branches to land on your roof. 

Clearing those trees away will help a lot in protecting your home in case of wildfire, so you’ll want to keep this in mind. 

Benefits Of Metal Roofs

While a real benefit of metal roods is their fire resistance, there are lots of other reasons why you should consider them too. Here are a few top reasons to get a metal roof.

Longevity: When it comes to roofs, metal roofs are some of the longest lasting out there right now. When you take good care of a metal roof, it will last for up to 70 years. Compare that to asphalt shingle roofs, which typically last up to 30 years with good care. That makes them work considering.

Ease of maintenance: With any roof, you’ll need to keep up inspections and maintenance on it. Metal roofs are known to be easier to care for, as they are installed in large sheets rather than individual tiles or shingles. There’s less space for water and any other issues to start making their way in, making them easier to care for. 

Quick to install: It’s always recommended that you have professional roofers install your roof, for several reasons. They’ll be able to do it safely and in an expert manner. When you have them do it, you’ll also see that they can install them quickly, too. That’s thanks to the large sheets mentioned above, as they really speed up the process. 

Environmentally friendly: You’ll be surprised to know that a metal roof is made up of around 25% to 95% recycled material, making it highly environmentally friendly. Plus, once they reach the end of their lifespan, they can be removed and recycled again, rather than being put into a landfill. That’s great news for those trying to be more eco-friendly when planning home renovations. 

Conclusion

As you can see, the metal roof on the Millikins’ home may just have been the reason it avoided the wildfires. With nothing flammable on the roof, any burning debris couldn’t cause any damage. If you live in an area at risk of wildfires, you should consider having a metal roof installed yourself.

And if you live in Virginia areas such as Warren, Middleburg, Winchester, or Leesburg, contact Piedmont Roofing. We’ll be happy to help you with your metal roofing needs!

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Metal Roofing Residential Roofing

Pick Your Choice Out Of These Metal Roofing Designs

When considering what kind of roof to install on your home, you’ll see that there are so many choices. For many people, a metal roof is going to be the best choice for their home. Once you pick a metal roof, though, you’ll see that there are several different types of metal roofing designs that you can choose from.

Here are the most common metal roofing designs and why you should consider them. 

Metal Roofing Designs 

There are so many metal roofing designs out there it’s hard to know which one would be right for you. Here are some of the most popular right now, so you can consider whether they’re the right ones for you. 

Standing Seam Roofs

This is the most common metal roofing system that you’ll see on most homes that use metal roofs. The name ‘standing seam’ refers to the seams between the roof panels as they are raised and create a lip. 

They are popular because these seams help weatherproof the roof really well. As they are sealed together when installed, water can’t get into the seams and so your roof is secured from leaks. Also, as you’re not using shingles or similar products, wind can’t pull up the roofing panels and expose your roof to the weather. 

As these roof panels are available in an array of metals and colors, you’ll be able to find one that matches your home and complements it perfectly. While some people worry that a metal roof will look too industrial, you’ll quickly see that this isn’t the case. 

Tile Look Metal Roofs

Another key benefit of a metal roof is that they can be made to look like almost any other material. For example, it’s easy to find metal roof panels that have been molded to resemble clay roof tiles. 

When they are on your roof, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference, and you’ll be able to enjoy the look without the drawbacks of clay tiles. For example, a metal roof will be much lighter than tiles, so your roof won’t need to be reinforced when you have it installed. 

Shake Look Metal Roofs

This is another good example of a metal roof being made to look like another roofing material. Shakes are always perfect for bringing a more rustic look to your home, but they have a variety of downsides. In some states, you’ll see that legally, you won’t even be able to install them. If you can install them, they run the risk of wood rot if not maintained properly, and they are a real fire hazard. 

Instead, by using metal panels shaped like shakes, you’ll get the look you want without the issues. Just like the tile looks like metal roofs, you can’t tell the difference from the ground, and because it’s metal, you’ll have a lot less maintenance to do on the roof to keep it in good condition.

Slate Look Metal Roofing

Another example of metal roofs mimicking other roofing styles is the slate look roof. Real slate is beautiful and a great roofing material, but it also has its downsides. It’s an expensive method to use, and again is going to be very heavy on your roof. 

With a metal version of a slate roof, you don’t have to worry about the weight because it’s so much lighter. Plus, you’ll still get the look with a lower price tag. 

Corrugated Metal Roofing

This style of roofing is what you may be thinking of when it comes to metal roofing, as you’ll think of an industrial look when you consider it. However, it can also be made for residential homes and look great. 

Corrugated metal roofing is made by dipping roof panels in zinc and then folding the material to create patterns and ridges. This process makes the roofing panels stronger, which allows you to get an ever longer lifespan from your new roof. 

Benefits Of Metal Roofing

These have been just a few of the different metal roofing designs that you can choose from right now for your home. If these haven’t been enough to persuade you to go with metal roofing, there are lots of other benefits to having a metal roof installed. 

  • Longevity: One of the biggest reasons why people choose metal roofs for their homes is their lifespan. When well cared for, they can last for easily up to 70 years. That makes them one of the longer-lasting roofing materials on the market. When you compare that to asphalt shingles, one of the most popular roofing materials out there, you’ll see these only last up to 25 years on average. As such, it makes it worth the time and money to replace your roof with a metal roof instead. 
  • Ease of maintenance: You’ll need to take care of your metal roof in order to get it to last as long as possible. The good news here is, it’s not hard to take care of at all. As a metal roof can take wind speeds of up to 140 mph and many metals are impact resistant, there’s less work you’ll have to do to keep your roof in top condition. 
  • Environmental factors: When considering an eco-friendly roofing replacement, a metal roof is often the way to go. You’ll see that they’re often made with recycled metals, and when you’re ready to replace them, they’ll be recycled again. 
  • Energy efficiency: Something you may not realize about metal roofs is that they are highly energy efficient, too. As they can reflect a lot of UV light and so avoid the heat, that stops your home from getting warmer in the hotter months of the year. That allows you to cut your home cooling costs by a lot. 

Conclusion

There are a lot of reasons why you’d want to consider installing a metal roof on your home. If you pick the right design, you can get all the benefits of a metal roof while still getting the look you want too. If this sounds to you, talk to your local roofer today. 

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

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Metal Roofing

What Is The Weight Of Metal Roofing?

What is the weight of metal roofing?

There are lots of things that you need to take into consideration when you’re considering a new roof for your home. One thing that’s critical is the weight that your roof structure can support. The amount of weight that every building can hold is different, so if you’re considering a metal roof, you’ll need to know how much that will weigh. Will your roof be able to support it?

The Average Weight Of Metal Roofs

When calculating the weight of a metal roof, it’s important to consider that it can actually be made from a range of different metals. As such, this is going to affect the weight of the roof. If you’re thinking of a metal roof for your home, you’ll want to consider what type of metal you’d want first. 

The weight of each roof type will vary depending on several factors, but there are averages for each metal. As such, you’ll need to check these before making a decision:

  • 1×1 piece of flat aluminum: 0.20 lbs per foot
  • 1×1 piece of flat steel: 0.57 lbs per foot
  • 1×1 piece of flat stainless steel: 0.59 lbs per foot
  • 1×1 piece of flat copper: 0.66 lbs per foot

You may have noticed that tin hasn’t been included here, and that’s because a pure tin roof is not something that actually exists. If you’ve seen a roof referred to as being made of tin, it’s actually made of galvanized steel, which means the steel has been coated with zinc. In the past, some roofs were made of sheet iron that was coated with tin, but these roofs are no longer made. 

Calculating The Weight Of A Metal Roof

With these numbers in mind, you can calculate how much a metal roof would weigh on your home. If you want the numbers for your roof, you just need to calculate the weight of the material by the area of your roof in square feet.

As an example, the average square footage of an American roof is 17,000 square feet. Using this example, we can work out the weight like so:

  • Aluminum: 0.20 lbs x 17,000 feet = 3,400 lbs
  • Steel: 0.57 lbs x 17,000 feet = 9,690 lbs
  • Stainless steel: 0.59 lbs x 17,000 feet = 10,030 lbs
  • Copper: 0.66 lbs x 17,000 feet = 11,220 lbs

It’s important to remember that these are just averages, and you’ll need to know the square footage of your roof in order to get the correct weight. If you don’t know that number, that’s not a problem as there are online calculators that can help you work this out. 

How To Pick The Right Roofing For You

Now that you have these results, you’ll need to use them in order to pick the best metal roof dependent on its weight. However, the weight won’t be the only thing that you have to consider. You’ll need to balance other considerations too, and you’ll then be able to pick the right metal roof for your needs.

For example, based on the above calculations, you’ll see that aluminum is the lightest metal when it comes to roofing. For many, that may feel like the obvious choice for your roof. When you’re considering aluminum, though, you’ll need to consider that it’s a more expensive metal than others on the market. If price is a concern, then you’ll want to look into other options. 

Coated steel has become a popular choice as it’s more cost-effective than other metals. It may be a little heavier, but you’ll get more for your money with it. At the same time, though, you’ll need to consider that the coating on steel can wear away over time. That leaves the steel vulnerable to corrosion, and that will considerably shorten the lifespan of your roof. 

You’ll need to do your research about the different roofing types available to you, and then make a decision on which one will be the best one for you and your home. This decision should include the weight of the roof, and whether your home’s structure can support it. 

Other Reasons To Consider A Metal Roof

As you’ve seen above, you can get metal roofs that are lightweight and put little stress on the structure of your home. You’ll also find that there are lots of other benefits to having a metal roof, too. These include:

Longevity: One of the biggest benefits of a metal roof is that you can have it last for decades if it’s cared for correctly. In some cases, those roofs will last for up to 70 years, so you’ll most likely never have to replace it again in your lifetime. 

High fire resistance: If you live in an area at risk of wildfires, then this is a huge benefit for you. A metal roof will have a Class A fire resistance rating, the highest there is. That means that you’ll not need to worry about the roof catching fire if flaming debris lands on it. 

Environmentally friendly: If you’re looking to replace your roof in a more eco-friendly way, then you should be looking into metal roofs. They’re typically made with a large percentage of recycled metal, and you’ll be able to recycle the metal once you replace it, rather than sending it to a landfill. 

Energy efficiency: Here’s a benefit that you may not have thought of. When you have a metal roof installed, you’ll see that it’s capable of reflecting a lot of heat that comes from the sun. That keeps your home cooler and allows you to drastically reduce your energy bills in the process. 

Weight of Metal Roofing Conclusion

One of the best benefits of metal roofs is that they’re a lot more lightweight than other roofing materials out there. As such, if you’re concerned about the weight of a new roof, then you’ll want to look into a metal roof for your home. Use the tips here to calculate the weight of your home, and you’ll see just how lightweight they can be.

If you would like more information, contact the professionals at Piedmont Roofing today!

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.

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Home Improvement Metal Roofing Standing Seam Metal Roofs

Proper Metal Roof Cleaning: Why Hire The Experts To Do The Job

Metal roofs are becoming highly popular with homeowners across the USA, as they offer a wide variety of benefits. One of the biggest benefits to a metal roof is that they can last for decades when they’re well taken care of. 

That’s very tempting for homeowners that want to install a roof and never have to worry about paying for one again. However, they need to find the best way to take care of that roof, to ensure that it stays in that top condition for years. What do you need to do to clean that roof, and why should you get the experts to do it?

The Importance Of General Maintenance

Firstly, you need to think about why you should be maintaining your metal roof in the first place. Since it’s above you and you’re not always looking at it, it’s so easy to forget about it. However, your roof needs the same care that the rest of your house does. There are several reasons why you should have it inspected and maintained regularly:

To prolong the life of your roof: Metal roofs are prone to less problems, thanks to there being less potential entry points for water, and the materials being tougher than others out there. Nevertheless, it can still be subject to issues over time. 

When you’re regularly maintaining the roof, you’ll be able to find these problems before they get worse, and put them right. That ensures you don’t run the risk of needing a new roof prematurely. 

To avoid specific issues with your metal roof: There are several issues that can occur with your metal roof, if it isn’t properly taken care of. They can range from leaks to denting, scratching, rust, and more. Again, if you catch these issues quickly they won’t be as difficult to put right. Find them too late, and you could be looking at a whole new roof installation to fix it. 

To keep the roof looking good: Finally, you want your roof to look as good as it did the day it was installed. When you’re doing regular checks, you can ensure that this is the case for your roof. 

How To Clean A Metal Roof

Cleaning a metal roof is the first step in making it look as good as it can be. Here’s how you can do it safely and effectively: 

Clean at the right intervals for your climate: First, you need to know when you should be cleaning your roof. This will very much depend on where you live, and the climate you have. If you live in a milder climate, then you’ll only need to clean the roof every 12 – 18 months. If you live in a harsher climate, for example in Florida where you have higher temperatures, you’ll want to clean it more than once a year depending on dirt and growth build up on the roof. 

Start with the gutters: A good place to start when cleaning your roof is the gutters. This is especially important if your roof is overhung by trees. Winds and rain can wash debris into the gutters, potentially blocking them. If left for long enough, that’ll stop water from making its way into the drains, washing water back up over the roof and causing leaks and ice dams. 

To clean them out, you’ll just need to scoop out any debris you find into a garbage bag. Once the gutters are clear, you can add a gutter guard to stop debris falling in. It’s also a good idea to consider pruning or removing trees that are near the roof too, to limit the debris too. 

Clean off surface dirt and growth: Once the gutters are done, the surface of the roof is next. Over a year, you can see things like mildew and algae set in, as well as stains, dirt, and other issues. The good news is that it’s quite easy to remove. 

There are several specific metal roof cleaning solutions that you can buy to clean the surface and get it looking new. It’s important that you use the right solution, as that will ensure that no damage is accidentally done to the roof’s surface as you work. 

Check for debris on the surface: In the cleaning process, you should be looking for debris that’s sitting on the roof itself. Sticks and branches may seem harmless to a metal roof, but when they’re left there they can lead to scratches and scuffing. When damage is done to the surface, that allows corrosion to happen underneath. 

As such, make sure that all debris is removed when you’re cleaning. Check for spots where debris can stuck, such as in valleys, where they can’t easily slide off. 

Should You Hire A Professional?

While you can clean your roof yourself, it’s very much recommended that you hire a professional to handle the job for you. 

Firstly, it’s much better for you in terms of safety. Being on your roof is inherently dangerous thanks to the height, so you want to keep your feet on the ground. A professional will have all the safety equipment needed, plus the insurance, to ensure they can carry out the job safely. 

They can also perform an inspection on your roof, when they’re up there. As they’re the experts, they’ll be able to spot potential problems much more easily than you can. As they can be spotted at an earlier stage, they’ll be a lot cheaper and easier to fix. 

Also, they will know the right materials to use to clean your roof. That will ensure that it gets as clean as possible, without any potential damage. 

Keeping your metal roof clean is an important step when it comes to maintaining it. With a clean roof, you’ll be able to avoid a lot of issues and spot other issues quickly. Having a professional handle the cleaning keeps you safe, and ensures that your roof is well taken care of. 

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.

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Metal Roofing

Metal Roof Color Choices: What’s The Best One For Your Home?

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.

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Metal Roofing

The Importance Of Metal Roof Insulation

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.

Categories
Metal Roofing

Are Metal Roofs Noisy When It Rains Or Hails?

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. 

Categories
Roofing

Metal Roof vs Shingles: Which Should You Choose?

 

As a homeowner, you have more choices regarding roofing materials than ever before. There will be something out there for you, whether you’re looking for something affordable or that will stand the test of time. While both are very common roofing material options, what are the main differences between a metal roof vs shingles? Why should you pick one over the other? Both have benefits and disadvantages. When considering a metal roof vs shingles, from aesthetics to eco-friendliness, here’s how they stack up against each other.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are probably the most common roofing option out there right now. They’re highly accessible and suit such a large variety of homes. Shingles are typically made with layers of fiberglass, asphalt, and other recycled materials depending on the exact type of shingles that you’re looking at.

Metal Roofs

In the past, metal roofs have been considered just for commercial businesses, but you’ll see that they’re becoming increasingly popular for homes. More metal roof designs are being created for residential homes, offering another option for your roof.

Longevity

One of the most important things about any roof is that it will be long-lasting. You need the roofing material you choose to be able to stand up to the elements, so which type of roof is the winner here? Metal roofs have the edge, as they can last for much longer before needing to be replaced.

On average, they can last well over 50 years if they’re well cared for. If you want to replace the roof once and not worry about it again, this will be your option. Asphalt shingle roofs aren’t going to be as long-lasting, as they can only last for around 25 – 30 years before they need to be replaced. That is a big difference, but you will see that many other benefits make up for this.

Cost

Replacing your roof will never be cheap, and cost will be a factor in which roofing material you choose. This is where asphalt shingles come out on top, as they’re a lot cheaper on average. You’ll see that they typically cost around $20,970 if you pick a low-end roof, which goes up to around $30,000 if you choose a high-end one.

On the other hand, a metal roof will cost a lot more. A metal roof can cost around $43,000 to up to $88,000, depending on your roof. Of course, that is a large range, but even if you go for a lower-priced roof, it will be more expensive than a shingle roof.

Ease of Installation

When you decide what kind of roof you want to be installed, you’ll have to find the right roofer to handle the job. You’ll ask them several questions, such as how much they charge, how they’re insured, etc. You’ll also need to ask them if they’re experienced in fitting the kind of roof that you’re looking for. This is important, as it will affect the kind of roof that you get.

It’s typically a lot easier to find a roofer that can fit a shingle roof, as they’re such a common roofing type. While metal roofs are becoming more popular, there are a lot fewer roofers out there that can install them. That’s something that you’re going to have to keep in mind when you’re picking a roofing material.

Ease of Maintenance

Once the roof has been installed, you’ll need to stay on top of maintenance to ensure it stays in the best condition. The better you maintain it, the more likely you’ll get the entire life span from it. As such, you’ll want to pick the roofing type easier for you to maintain. Metal is often considered low maintenance, as it isn’t much you have to do to keep it in top shape.

You’ll need to remove debris if it ever finds its way onto the roof and cleans it if needed. Asphalt roofs do need a little more maintenance, especially after storms. You may find you need to replace shingles or flashing, but that’s not too much of a problem. It also ensures that you don’t need to replace large roof sections if there is a problem.

Aesthetics

When comparing a metal roof vs shingles, aesthetics is essential, as you want it to fit in with the rest of the neighborhood and the house itself. Both roofing types can look amazing when installed correctly, so it’ll mainly be about what you want. A metal roof, for example, comes in a huge range of colors and styles. There will be something for every home in a metal roofing range, so you can pick something that suits you.

You can even get roofing made to mimic shingles or tiles, too, if that’s something you’re interested in. Be aware, though, that some HOAs frown upon metal roofs as they feel they look too ‘industrial,’ and they can be susceptible to ‘oil canning.’ Asphalt shingles can also look great, and again you can pick shingles from a range of different colors too. The color range will be more limited, so be ready for that if you go for shingles. 

Fire Safety

Finally, you’ll want to consider fire safety when picking a roofing material. Asphalt shingles are typically fireproof, but if the fire reaches the asphalt layer in your shingles, they could catch fire. On the other hand, nature’s metal roofs are fire resistant, so they get top fire safety classification. If you’re concerned about that, it’s a big point in their favor. Both metal and shingled roofs have their benefits, so you’ll need to consider which one is for you. Use this guide to see which would be better for you.

The Bottom Line

These are some pros and cons between a metal roof vs shingles, both look stunning and will last for decades when well installed and taken care of. Contact your local roofing contractor today if you’re interested in installing either one.

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