Metal Roofs Are the Standard by Which All Others are Compared

All buildings have a roof and that roof only has a few jobs: keep the building comfortable, dry and looking good for years to come.  The old way of roofing a building did that OK, but not great.  That is where metal roofs come in.

Metal roofing is an alternative to traditional asphalt roofing that’s usually made of large sheets, though varieties are available in styles ranging from Spanish tile, slate, seamed, scalloped, and we can even look like standard asphalt shingles. 

Materials that may be used for metal roofing include zinc, tin, steel, copper, aluminum, and hybrid metal mixture. All of these materials are finished with special coatings to reflect heat, prevent rust, and seal the material against moisture damage.

Metal roofs have proven to be the best choice for almost any type of roof installation, and are particularly great in Wisconsin and other climates that receive a great deal of moisture. They withstand high winds, shed rain very effectively, and are fire-resistant. 

Metal roofs come in a variety of colors, styles, and textures more than any other roofing material. They can be made to look like wood shakes, standard asphalt shingles, and even tile. Many styles come in sheets that can be installed quickly and easily, while metal shingles and metal tiles are individually placed and fastened.

Metal roofs are very lightweight, weighing about one-quarter as much as tile roofs and half as much as asphalt shingle roofs. While metal roofing is generally more expensive than asphalt roofing, it has a longer lifespan and can even lower heating and cooling costs because it reflects heat from the sun. When properly installed, metal roofing will usually include a manufacturer warranty of 50 years.

All buildings have a roof and that roof only has a few jobs: keep the building comfortable, dry and looking good for years to come.  The old way of roofing a building did that OK, but not great.  That is where metal roofs come in. Commercial buildings have unique requirements that residential buildings need not meet. Fire ratings, architectural requirements, street visibility, and even branding come into play with commercial properties. Our custom colored, Kynar-coated Forever Roofs will help make your business, church, or office a landmark for the next 100 years.

Whatever metal roof system you need, Metal Roofs Direct can help you choose the best option for your specific roofing needs. Our roofing contractors have extensive experience with these metal installations.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

A standing seam roof is composed of many interlocking panels that run vertically from the roof’s ridge to the eaves. The interlocking seam where two panels join together is raised above the roof’s flat surface to allow water to run off without seeping between panels.

The method most commonly used to secure the panels to the roof sheathing is the use of hidden fasteners. The fasteners are secured to the raised portion of each panel and subsequently covered by the next adjoining panel during installation.

Metal Tiles and Panels Style Roofing

Standard tile roofs can be heavy, yet fragile and costly to maintain. Metal tile combines the graceful curves of classic tile with the lightness and strength of the metal. Installation costs are higher than a standard cement tile roof.

Steel Roofing

Steel roofing is a popular choice for roofing in hail-prone areas. It is durable and low maintenance, which ranks it high on the longevity scale. Like most metal roofing materials, heat reflection also contributes to reduced energy use and costs.

Copper Roofing

Copper as a roofing material is one of the rarer metal roofing alternatives. However, its unique finish is one of the stand-out features it possesses and one that is bound to increase the home’s curb appeal. Due to its lightweight and malleability, copper can be fashioned in various ways to mimic tiles, shingles, brick, etc.

If you’re considering a new roof for your home, it may be worth thinking "outside the asphalt." Metal roofing is becoming popular, with increased demand in the residential market. Today’s metal roofs offer streamlined looks and increased energy efficiency, with various options available so they can fit the style of your home’s exterior. 

So, whether you’re building a new home from scratch or updating your existing roofing system, metal roofing might be the way to go. Here are some reasons that might make you put metal roofing at the top of your list of considerations.

Do you want to own or do you want to rent your roof?

While metal roofing costs more than asphalt shingles upfront, they have a significantly longer life expectancy that helps offset your initial spending. Our forever metal roof will last about 100 years, while traditional asphalt roofs last about 10 to 15 years.  Why is that important? Well, look at this way: If an Asphalt roof costs say, $10,000 today,  you have to replace it every 12 years (most warranties and insurance companies say 10 years, but we're being generous). Do you think the roof will be cheaper or more expensive in 12 years? You probably said more, so let's say in 12 years that roof is now $12,500. In 24 years, you'll be replacing it again, and again the price will go up, and so let's say its $15,000, again for 12 years of life. So for 36 years useful life, you've paid $10,000 + $12,500 + $15,000 = $37,500. A Forever Metal Roof is cost-competitive within the range of top-quality asphalt shingles, but for the sake of comparison, let's say the metal roof is expensive at $15,000 - one time. In 36 years of useful life, the Metal roof cost $15,000 and the asphalt roof cost $37,500 - and you still have to buy 60 more years of useful life to equal the metal roof from the beginning. So the question is: how many times do you want to rent your roof?