Why Metal Roofing?

While particularly damaging in southern exposures and at high altitudes, heat and sun play huge roles in the degradation of most roofing systems. Ultimately, most roofing systems fail because they dry out, become brittle, and crack with age. The benefit of metal roofing systems is that they’re completely impervious to this type of damage. They will not curl, crack, or become brittle when exposed to sun and heat. Additionally, today’s coating technology offers a variety of finishes that maintain their integrity and color very well when exposed to heat and sun.

In order to verify their wind resistance, metal roofing products are subjected to uplift tests that simulate actual wind occurrences. This is done through what is called the “bag test.” With some variations, a section of roofing is installed in a laboratory with plastic bagging between the metal and the roof decking. Metal products also retain their strength and wind resistance very well as they age. A 30-year-old metal roof will likely withstand wind the same as a brand-new metal roof—most other roofing material doesn’t come close to this ability.

Snow and ice can cause a lot of damage to any roof, but the best bet to keep your roof from collapsing and your home dry is metal roofing. Metal roofing is known for its ability to quickly shed snow loads. Typically, this happens when the sun comes out and radiant heat passes through the snow load, warming the metal a bit. There is a risk, however, of damaging ice dam build-up, which could lead to leaking in your home. Heated shingles and ice dam cutters are a way to prevent this type of damage. American Metal Roofs of Michigan has specific products available to handle all that snow and ice can throw at a metal roof. Click here to see a homeowner who was tired of dealing with snow and ice dams.

• Heated Shingle
• Ice Dam Cutter
• Snow Country Roof
• Snow Guards and Talon Bar

Metal roofing is widely respected for its hail resistance. While there can certainly be storms from which no roofing material will escape unscathed, metal roofing offers good protection from leaks even if aesthetic damages do occur. The most widely-accepted test of hail-resistance is Underwriters Lab (U.L.) 2218, which is a steel-ball drop test that simulates the effect of hail impact on roofing products. Metal roofs pass U.L. 2218 at Class IV, the highest rating. As a result, homeowners in many hail-prone states can obtain discounts on their insurance premiums. Additionally, unlike other roofing materials, metal roofing resists hail damage even as it ages. This is another big advantage of metal roofing.

It is common for homeowners to wonder whether a metal roof might attract lightning. Metal conducts electricity but it does not “draw” it. There is no evidence that metal roofing puts a home at greater risk of a lightning strike. Typically, lightning will hit the highest object around, and rarely is that the top of the house. Just the same, metal roofs can be grounded by a lightning protection specialist if desired.

Most metal roofs are approved for Class A, B, and C fire ratings. In some cases, a special underlayment may be required to meet certain code and fire classification requirements. However, metal roofing is widely recognized for its resistance to airborne sparks and burning debris. Particularly if you have a wood shingle or shake roof currently, you may enjoy a lower insurance premium with a metal roof. Additionally, in the event of a fire inside your house, the low weight of metal roofing minimizes the possibility of roof cave-in as the structure weakens. This can help save your home and belongings, providing firefighters with greater opportunity to put out the fire.