Is Metal Roofing a Good Choice for Older Homes?
Re-roofing an older home presents certain challenges. One of them is determining that the structure is strong enough for the heavy new roof. Of course, that applies primarily to standard roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. Metal roofing is far lighter than traditional shingles and other roofing styles and will present much less of a load for an older home to bear.
If your house is 60 or more years old and it’s time to add a new roof, consider the many advantages of modern metal roofing – including its light weight.
Metal roof advantages
Low weight
Most asphalt roofing material weighs in at a whopping 2.75 to 4.25 pounds per square foot. Compare that to about half a pound to a pound for metal roofing panels. Choosing metal over asphalt will make a significant difference in how much weight your older home’s structure and foundation have to hold throughout the upcoming years.
Along with preserving your home’s building materials, a lightweight metal roof creates much less of a cave-in risk in the event of a home fire or earthquake.
Solid strength
Don’t let the low installed weight of a metal roof fool you. These roofs are powerful and resilient and hold up better than any other common roofing product. Metal roofs are simply better because they:
- Resist damage from hail
- Stay in place with winds of 150 mph and stronger
- Won’t be destroyed by rust
- Last 40 to 50 years or longer
- Save you serious money on roof repair over the years
- Look great for decades
- Won’t catch on fire
Metal roofs shield your home from the heat
Older homes tend to get hotter than new homes in the blazing summer months. With a metal roof, one place the heat won’t come in is through the ceiling. Modern metal roofing coatings actually reflect the sun’s heat away from the roof rather than absorb it. Unlike a shingle roof, a metal roof won’t act as a heating blanket over your home.
Naturally, this translates into less money spent each summer running your cooling system. And that translates into less wear and tear (and therefore repairs) to your AC.
Fantastic looks
Want to add a youthful appearance to your aging home? A new metal roof is the perfect solution. Today’s metal roofing materials are available in a wide range of colors and styles, many of which mimic traditional roofing such as tiles and shingles. A pristine new metal roof looks great on almost any home.
Eco-friendly
No matter the age of the home, one thing many homeowners today are concerned about is our ecosystem. You’ll be glad to know that metal roofing material normally has a high amount of recycled metals, and when it’s finally time to retire the roof, it’s metal can be used again. Compare this to the millions of tons of asphalt shingle roofing that are added to our nation’s landfills every year.
If you have an older home and would like to know more about the proven benefits of modern metal roofing, call the experts, Advanced Aluminum of Lakeland, FL. We produce exceptional metal roofing products used by leading Lakeland-area contractors. Call today at (863) 648-5787.