Article Advise

submitted: Aug 26th 2008 | by: RyanMcCall | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 469 | |

Roofing is a critically important consideration for any new home, and a significant replacement expense for existing homes. When selecting a roof, take into consideration initial cost, lifetime cost, durability, life span of the roof, appearance, and the length of time you intend to live in the home. When all factors are considered, metal roofs are an attractive choice for many homeowners.

Some individuals are resistant at first to the idea of residential metal roofing. The picture that immediately comes to their mind when they hear "metal roofs" is the corrugated tin shed of the past. This type of roofing has maintained its desirable sturdy construction while evolving into a more up-to-date, attractive look. In addition, metal roofs are durable, fire and wind resistant, heat reflecting, lightweight, and easy to install. The downsides to metal roofs are price, insulation, noisy rainstorms, and the possibility of dents or chips to your roof.

Metal roofs are very resistant to wind damage, such as from hurricanes, and so are an appealing option in areas vulnerable to wind damage. Metal types of roofing also receive the highest fire retardant rating. As such, homes with metal roofs may have a higher asset value, and enjoy lower insurance rates.

Because they are reflective of the sun's radiation, they keep your house cool in the summer and reduce utility costs of air conditioning. Metal has virtually no inherent insulation to keep in heat, but if you add insulation materials or construct your roof so that there is a "dead space" between the metal and the underlying components, this is not a significant problem at all. If you're concerned about noise from your metal roof during rain or hail, consider using sound deadening insulations. Note that heat can make metal contract and expand, so connectors may loosen over time.

When attempting to reduce construction costs, one option is metal roofing. This is due to the lightness, which decreases the amount of support members that are necessary. The low weight of the metal roofs also allows for them to be installed over an existing roof, erasing the need to remove the old one and saving both time and money. Metal roofing often comes in large sheets, and installation takes less time as a result. This can be a problem, however, if large sections need to be replaced, and it can be hard to match when building an addition.

The often greater initial expense of premium metal roofing can make the option less attractive. However, discount metal roofing is available. Metal roofs enjoy a 20 to 50 year life span, and may outlive the rest of the house. Therefore, the total cost of ownership can be much less in the long run, particularly for those people who are planning to stay in their home for a good portion of the metal roof's life span.

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Read more about residential metal roofing and discount metal roofing.

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