Metal roofing is becoming more and more common these days here in Michigan. It may have you wondering what all the hype is about or inspiring you to look into installing one of your very own. Metal roofs offer some benefits that regular asphalt shingles do not, so if you’re on the fence about whether or not to go for metal, keep reading, especially if you’re looking for affordable metal roofing and live in the Grand Rapids area.
Longevity & Durability
While traditional asphalt roofing lasts roughly 15-20 years, metal roofing can last up to 50 years or more. In general, metal is an incredibly resilient material. It’s only natural that a metal roof would be able to withstand harsh weather conditions, be much less likely to crack or wear down, and stay looking as good as new for much longer than asphalt shingles. Not only that, but metal gives virtually no room for the growth of mildew, rot, and insect infestations, all of which can wear down an asphalt roof a lot quicker than expected.
Environmental Friendliness
The manufacturing of standard asphalt shingles is dependent on fossil fuels, and when you replace your roof, all those shingles contribute to landfills. Metal roofing is often at least a quarter recyclable material (though it can be anywhere from 25% to 95%), but, at the end of its life, it’s recyclable entirely, making it far more eco-friendly. You may not even have to replace your asphalt roof either, as metal roofing can often be installed right on top of your old roofing without having to spend thousands to tear your old roof away and pay disposal fees for all those shingles to sit at the dump.
Metal roofing is also a secure platform for other environmentally friendly systems. Installing solar panels is easy to do with a metal roof. Also, because of the smooth surface, you can even install rainwater-catching systems to collect runoff much more readily than you would be able to with a shingled roof.
You may also be able to save on your power bill once you install a metal roof. Even though a metal surface may get quite warm, a metal roof reflects the radiant heat away from your home, so your air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard to keep the house cool in the summers. You can also install foam insulation underneath to minimize the amount of cold air lost – though air rarely leaks out of metal roofing.
Weather Resistance
A metal roof is optimal for the winter in Grand Rapids. In the same way that a smooth metal surface allows rainwater to slide off with ease, snow won’t accumulate in large amounts. Even if snow happens to build up, metal roofing will get warm enough in the sun that it’ll melt right off.
Aside from snow, metal roofing is also highly wind-resistant, thanks to its interlocking panels and sectioned pieces instead of individual shingles. Metal roofing is noncombustible as well, meaning that if a wildfire breaks out or a lightning strike hits your home, your roof isn’t going to catch fire suddenly.
Affordable Metal Roofing Variety
In addition to all sorts of practical benefits, metal roofing is also incredibly stylish. While most roofing companies can offer you an array of maybe 15 to 20 colors to choose from for your shingles, a metal roofing manufacturer could provide you with up to 100 colors to choose from, including both standard and custom hues. Not to mention, you’ll have a choice on just what kind of metal you want, whether that be steel, aluminum, copper, or a handful of other options.
Ease of Installation
Contrary to what you might believe about metal, metal roofing is far lighter than asphalt shingles. Metal roofing can weigh in as light as one pound per square foot, whereas asphalt shingles can weigh anywhere from two to five pounds per square foot in comparison. Being so lightweight is what makes metal roofing able to be installed over a shingled roof. However, if you have a metal roof all on its own, you still benefit since you likely won’t need to have as many members built for structural support, reducing engineering costs.
Because metal roofing often comes in multiple-shingle panels, an experienced contractor can install them rather quickly as well. A quick installation minimizes room for accidents to occur along the way and lowers labor costs, meaning that if you can find the right roofing contractor, getting affordable metal roofing will come a lot easier than you think.
We know that metal roofing is one of the more expensive options out there and that it might be hard to find a roofing contractor that provides affordable metal roofing in Grand Rapids, but that’s why we’re here to help. We believe in bringing you a quality metal roof that will last for many years to come without killing your bank account, so click here to get an estimate today.
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