For residential and commercial property owners with damaged or outdated roofs, metal roofing may be the best option to address this issue. This guide provides a fact-based overview of the products, styles, colours, coatings, and cost of a metal roof installation. Make an informed decision about whether a residential or commercial metal roof is right for you.
What Is Metal Roofing?
Metal roofs rank among the most durable and cost-effective types of roofing materials. Employed in homes, garages, as well as agricultural and commercial buildings, metal products provide improved protection against rain, hail, snow, high winds, and severe weather events. The advanced technologies used to create today’s metal roofing products typically rely on the following materials.
- Copper
- Zinc
- Steel
- Aluminum
- Tin
It’s also important to understand the practical applications of these materials involve sub-categories. For instance, steel roofing materials include galvalume, galvanized, and weathering steel. Each provides a different level of protection, durability, and longevity.
Materials such as copper are highly sought after because this metal can last for hundreds of years when properly maintained. While each material provides slightly different benefits, the core reason residential and commercial property owners prefer metal roofing systems is cost-effectiveness and enhanced durability.
Metal Roofing Styles
The days of overly simple flat sheets of metal are long gone. Much of the rise in metal roofing popularity comes from the fact that home and commercial building owners enjoy a variety of style options. The following metal roofing styles affect the aesthetics and structural integrity of a building.
- Vertical Seam (Exposed): Recognized by the exposed fasteners joining the overlapping panels, this style can be directly attached to the framing. The fasteners are paint matched to blend in with the roof’s colour. This style proves cost-effective for buildings that do not necessarily require plywood or insulation.
- Vertical Seam (Covered): The standing seam approach hides the fasteners under a pair of legs measuring 12-18 inches. These panels are clipped to the metal sheets and conceal the fasteners.
- Cedar Simulated Metal Shingles: For property owners who desire a single-shingle appearance, this style mirrors the look of cedar shingles. The metal products offer the aesthetic value of natural wood while far outlasting cedar and deterring insect infestations.
- Slate Simulated Metal Shingles: Like the products that emulate natural wood, other styles provide the look of stone. Traditional slate tiles add significant weight to any structure, creating stress on beams and load-bearing walls. Simulated metal roofs offer the appearance without the downside.
- Tile Simulated Metal: Metal roofing manufacturers use a combination of design enhancements and colour options to recreate traditional ceramic styles. These materials blend the classic ceramic roof appearance with the increased durability of metal.
Metal roof manufacturers understand that property owners like the way products such as asphalt shingles look. That’s why coatings have been developed to make metal products look like those originally used when a structure was built. Coating options are vast and continue to expand.
Metal Roof Colour Options
Metal roofing products come in a wide variety of colours, and the coatings used to achieve a look also deliver other benefits. Colour choices allow property owners to seamlessly blend their roof with the building’s siding or the general landscape. Darker roofs usually absorb heat while lighter colours reflect the sun’s rays. The ability to select a best-suited colour makes metal roofs a preferred selection.
Metal Roofing Maintenance
The minimal maintenance and upkeep of metal roofs make them an attractive choice for home and commercial building owners. It’s essential to check seams and flashing after severe weather incidents. We recommended periodically removing tree sap and pollen buildup.
Metal Roofing Cost Breakdown
The cost of a new roof will ultimately be determined by the type of materials and complexity of the project. The majority of metal roof installations run along similar lines, such as the following.
- Cost of Materials: 40 percent
- Cost of Labour: 45 percent
- Removal and Disposal: 9 percent
- Miscellaneous Expenses: 6 percent
Choose Davidoff Roofing For Your Metal Roof
If your roof sustained damage or shows signs of age, a quality metal roof installation remains a cost-effective solution. Davidoff Roofing has served the London, Ontario community as a trusted resource for nearly 40 years. Contact us for a consultation and estimate today.