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Q. Does a metal roof cost
more than a typical roof?
A. Because metal roofing is a premium home
product, you can expect your new roof to cost more than what
an asphalt shingle roof costs. However, a metal roof is comparable
in price to tile roofing or cedar shake roofing. If you currently
have a slate roof, you can expect your metal roof to cost
less.
No matter what kind of metal roofing style you choose, you'll
never have to worry about your roof again. Most come with
a true 30 to 50 year warranty. Plus, your new metal roof will
add to the resale value of your home, save you money on your
energy bills, and give you piece of mind that you'll likely
never have to re-roof again.
Q. I'm concerned that a
metal roof won't match my home and the roofing style in my
neighborhood.
A. Today's residential metal roofing is made
to look exactly like common roofing material - such as asphalt
shingle, cedar shake, clay tile or slate roofing - only stronger
and more durable. Click here to see metal roofing's wide variety
of styles, colors and patterns - there's certain to be a style
and finish to match your home and neighborhood.
Q. Does metal attract lightning?
A. Lightning is attracted to the highest
point, not necessarily metal. A metal roof has no greater
chance of being hit by lightning than any other type of roof.
However, if your roof would be struck by lightning, a metal
roof can help prevent your home from catching on fire because
it can dissipate the electrical charge. More importantly,
it is noncombustible.
Q. Can you walk on the
roof?
A. Most metal panel systems can support the
load of an individual walking on them. As with any roof system
care must be taken to not cause damage to the roof due to
abrasion or collapsing of raised portion of the panel. Appropriate
OSHA approved safety procedures should also be followed.
Q. How heavy is metal roofing?
A. Metal roof systems in most cases weigh
between 1 to 3 pounds per square foot. The actual weight is
dependent upon metal gauge and profile of the panel. Metal
roof systems are considered a lightweight roof covering compared
to their counterparts. The following illustrates the different
types of other roofing materials and their respective weights
per square foot:
Asphalt Shingle: 2 - 3.5lbs psf
Textured Asphalt Shingle: 3.5 - 5lbs psf
Wood Shingles/Shakes: 3.5 - 4.5lbs psf
Clay or Concrete Tile: 5.5 - 10lbs psf
Q. What is the minimum
roof slope for metal roofing?
A. Absolute Steel offers a wide variety of
panel systems to meet a variety of slope requirements. Information
regarding minimum slope requirements can be found on the specific
technical Data Sheet for each product. Typically, metal panel
systems can be applied to pitches of 1 : 12 or greater.
Actual minimum slopes may be dependent upon roof geometry,
substrate, and physical location of the project.
Q. Can metal roofing purchased
from Absolute Steel be applied to open framing or only a solid
substrate?
A. Absolute Steel distributes metal roof
systems that are considered structural and non-structural
in nature. Actual panel profile and gauge of the material
will determine if the panel has structural capability to span
over open framing. Consult individual product data sheets
to see if the profile desired is considered a structural panel
system.
Q. How far can I span with
metal roofing?
A. Span capability of a panel is dependent
upon profile, gauge and width of the panel itself. Consult
individual load tables and test results to see if the panel
meets the actual performance requirements for your project.
Q. Do you provide technical
and/or field assistance?
A. Absolute Steel has a technically trained
Customer Service staff is very experienced. Chances are, any
question you ask has been handled many times before by our
staff. We do not travel or go to job sites to offer “field
assistance” at the jobsite.
Q. Do you install your
products?
A. Absolute Steel installs only in the State
of Arizona and only on our own buildings.
Q. What snow guard systems
do you recommend?
A. Snow retention systems are often incorporated
into metal roof system. These systems are used to retain snow
on the roof for protection as well as water management. The
actual style of snow guards to be used may be dependent upon
the panel style as well as the aesthetic nature of the snow
guard itself. Consult with your ATAS representative or independent
snow guard manufacturer to select the appropriate snow guard
for your roof.
Q. How much longer will
a metal roof last than common roofing like asphalt or wood
shingle?
A. You can expect a metal roof to last at
least 2 to 3 times longer than a regular roof. In general
terms, count on a metal roof lasting 40 to 60 years and beyond.
To put it in context, the average life span of an asphalt
roof is 12 to 20 years. That lifespan can be shorter depending
on the pitch of your roof and the climate in your area. Made
of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, asphalt begins to
deteriorate as soon as you expose it to normal weather. A
metal roof, however, will never decompose.
Other roofing materials like
wood shingle, shake and tile have varying degrees of weather-related
problems that lead to breakdown. Wood shingle and shake roofs
often need replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile
roofs can crack and warp in the freeze/thaw cycle of more
northern climates.
All of the above roofing materials are well-outlasted by metal
roofing, which retains its good looks and durability decade
after decade after decade.
Q. Is metal roofing noisier
in bad weather than asphalt, cedar shake, tile and slate roofing?
A. This is a common question, and probably
one of the biggest misconceptions about metal roofing. People
usually think of an old barn roof where the metal is visible
to the interior of the structure. On a residence, however,
metal roofing is often installed over a solid substrate. Further,
attic space and insulation serve as additional sound barriers.
Research has proven that metal is not any noisier than traditional
roofing products. In fact, you’ll hear more bad weather
noise from your walls and windows than you will from your
metal roof.
Q. How will a metal roof
stand up to extreme weather?
A. A metal roof can withstand decades of
abuse from extreme weather like high winds, heavy snow, hailstorms,
and even wildfires. Metal roofing has a 120-mph wind rating,
meaning it can withstand wind gusts up to 120 miles per hour
- equal to an F2 tornado. Under high wind conditions metal
roofing systems have wind resistance and uplift resistance
that is above the new building code requirements. Naturally,
this gives architects and engineers a sense of relief in that
they can use the best material to meet those criteria.
In locations that see heavy
snow, metal roofing has been the choice of homeowners for
years. It sheds snow fast, which protects the structural integrity
of the roof. And it can eliminate ice damming at the eves,
so water can't back up and collect under the roof then leak
into your home. If you live in a part of the country that
is prone to wildfires, metal roofing can protect your home
should burning embers land on your roof. In fact, you should
check with your insurance agent as it’s quite likely
that the installation of metal roofing will save you money
on your homeowners insurance.
Q. Is a metal roof environmentally
responsible?
A. Not only is metal roofing great for your
home, it's great for the environment.
The recycled content of the steel in a metal roof is about
56% from production to installation to reuse - far superior
to asphalt. According to the National Association of Homebuilders
Research Center, 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are
dumped into U.S. landfills every year. If you loaded those
shingles into tractor trailers, then lined them up end-to-end,
they would make a line from New York City to Los Angeles,
back to New York City again, then on to Chicago. That's a
lot of wasted asphalt. But because a metal roof can often
be installed over your current roof, without tearing off what's
already there, metal roofing helps to reduce this excessive
shingle waste.
Q. Would a metal roof be
too heavy for certain types of homes, or for smaller structures
like a detached garage or porch?
A. You'll be surprised to learn that a metal
roof is, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof,
and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and
slate. With metal roofing, weight on a structure is never
an issue.
Q. Can I add insulation
under the metal panels?
A. Yes. Among the types of insulation that
can be used under metal roofing, we recommend foil-faced radiant barrier insulation. This means you can save even more additional
utility costs by making your roof more energy efficient through
the use of this inexpensive insulation product.
Q. Are any special tools
required?
A. Metal roofing and siding can be easily
installed using standard hand tools such as a screw gun, hammer,
metal snips, caulk gun, pliers, chalk line and tape measure.
Cutting metal panels is best accomplished with an electric
metal shear which doesn’t cost much and attaches directly
onto your drill gun; however, panels may be easily cut with
a circular saw with a metal cutting abrasive blade.
Additionally, we have a special
section on some tools that we like to use which can make
the job go smoother.
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