Metal Roofing – Advantages and Disadvantages

Metal Roofing – Advantages and Disadvantages

Exploring the benefits and drawbacks of metal roofing. Is the price an advantage of metal roofs compared to clay tiles? How long can a metal roof last? Which roofing material is heavier, tiles or metal?

When it comes to roofing, clay tiles are the most common choice for many. However, the market now offers a wide variety of metal roofing options, each with its own set of advantages, making them worth considering alongside traditional clay tiles.

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When considering the cost of metal roofing, it’s important to note that price may not be a significant factor in decision-making. Nowadays, there’s a broad spectrum of quality and pricing for both clay tiles and metal roofing. Assuming an optimal quality for both types, the price difference may not be substantial.

So, if price isn’t the determining factor for metal roofing, why should it be considered over the tried-and-true, durable clay tiles? While clay tiles are a reliable choice, it doesn’t mean metal roofing is a wrong one.

One of the significant advantages of metal roofing over clay tiles is its lighter weight. A square meter of metal roofing weighs 4.5 kilograms (aprox. 10 pounds), whereas a square meter of clay tiles weighs 40 kilograms (aprox. 90 pounds).

In reinforced concrete construction with a quality roofing structure, this weight might not be significant. However, when covering older or prefabricated structures, the roofing material’s weight can be crucial.

Another reason many opt for clay tiles is their aesthetic appeal, aiming to achieve a classic roof appearance. Yet, this doesn’t have to deter one from considering metal roofing, which can now be manufactured with designs and colors that closely resemble traditional clay tiles.

While clay tiles are renowned for their durability, metal roofing is not necessarily an inferior choice, especially depending on the chosen material. Copper metal roofing, for instance, is virtually eternal, particularly when installed with high quality. Aluminum is also corrosion-resistant, though whether these options are more cost-effective than clay is debatable.

Metal roofing can visually resemble traditional clay tiles

Most manufacturers offer steel sheet roofing options. Despite steel’s susceptibility to corrosion, it’s essential to note that it’s galvanized steel, further protected from corrosion by additional coatings. This is sufficient for manufacturers to provide a 30-year warranty for these roofing materials, with a significantly longer lifespan in practice.

Therefore, durability shouldn’t be a concern with metal roofing. One common misconception is that metal roofs produce more noise during rainfall. While the acoustics of metal roofing differ from the solid mass of clay tiles or soft bitumen shingles, this might only be noticeable if you’re on the roof during rain. Even in the attic, with adequate insulation, rainfall noise isn’t significantly different from clay tiles.

Another misconception is that metal roofing can attract lightning strikes. Scientifically, this is unfounded. Lightning always strikes the point connected to the ground, where the electrical charge dissipates. Hence, it’s common for lightning to strike trees because they’re connected to the ground through their roots. A metal roof structure is isolated from the ground, posing no attraction to lightning strikes.

In regions where air conditioning costs are significant, many manufacturers offer metal roofing with reflective coatings that deflect sunlight, reducing building heat absorption and energy consumption for cooling.

One drawback of metal roofing compared to clay tiles is the scarcity of skilled installers. Proper installation is crucial for a metal roof to achieve its declared durability. Improperly installed metal roofing may be less resistant to wind impacts, for example. Additionally, any repairs to metal roofs are more demanding and require skilled labor.

(Photo: Interlock, Pexels)

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