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Metal Roofs Are Now An Attractive Option

By: Ryan McCall

A roof is a key consideration in new construction and often a significant replacement expense in existing housing. Selecting the most desirable of the available roofing options should take into consideration cost, durability, appearance and even how long you intend to live in this same dwelling. Metal roofs may be an attractive option for many consumers.

Most people associated metal roofs with cheap corrugated tin in previous years. However, modern residential metal roofing is much more aesthetically attractive and functional, with all of the advantages that current technology can provide. They are extremely durable, highly resistant to fire and high winds, lightweight, easy to install, and good at reflecting heat away. On the other hand, they tend to be expensive, don't provide good insulation, can dent or chip, and make noise in rain and hail storms.

Since metal does not burn except at extreme temperatures, metal types of roofing receive the highest fire retardant rating, which may be an asset in resale value and homeowner's insurance rates as well as the obvious safety issue. Wind resistance is also excellent which has additional appeal in locations vulnerable to high wind exposure, such as hurricanes.

Metal roofs reflect the sun's heat and reduce the cooling burden in the summer as a result. While they have almost no insulation value of their own, this can easily be gotten around by using a dead space between the metal components and the underlying roof components or by the use of insulating materials. Use of sound deadening insulations also reduces the objection to possible noise related to weather. Heat can also cause contraction and expansion of metal, and some loosening of connectors.

When attempting to reduce construction costs, one option is metal roofing. This is due to the lightness, which decreases the amount of support members that are necessary. The low weight of the metal roofs also allows for them to be installed over an existing roof, erasing the need to remove the old one and saving both time and money. Metal roofing often comes in large sheets, and installation takes less time as a result. This can be a problem, however, if large sections need to be replaced, and it can be hard to match when building an addition.

The greatest barrier to the use of metal roofs is the expense, since the cost definitely falls into the premium price range. However, discount metal roofing is available, and in any case the very long lifespan may make metal effective cheaper than roofs that seem to be a bargain. For metal, a lifespan of 20 to 50 years is the normal expectation. Metal may well outlive the rest of the house.

Article Source: http://www.contentspool.com

Most people associated metal roofs with cheap corrugated tin in previous years. However, modern residential metal roofing is much more aesthetically attractive and functional, with all of the advantages that current technology can provide.

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