Businesses everywhere are seeing the benefits of metal roofing systems. If you’re in the market for replacing or installing a roof, consider the myriad benefits of going with the longest-lasting and most environmentally friendly option on the market.

Longer Lifespan

Let’s face it, the last market you want to be browsing in is the roofing one. Nobody wants to worry about the roof over their head, and if you go with metal roofing systems, you’re almost certainly going to be choosing a long-term solution.

The average lifespan of an asphalt roof is between 12-20 years. Metal roofs have been found to last anywhere between 30 to 70 years, depending on the environment. In most instances, metal roofs simply don’t require the ongoing repair and replacements that asphalt ones do.

Additionally, metal roofing systems look better for longer as well. Putting a metal roof on your building isn’t going to make it look like a tin can; metal roofing systems have evolved to the point where nearly any aesthetic desire can be met. Colors, textures, and types can be varied and edited to fit whatever need you have. Metal roofing systems can actually be designed and stylized to look like their asphalt, slate, cedar shake, or tile roof counterparts. It truly is one of the most versatile options available.

Metal roofs can also be repainted and recoated throughout its lifespan with ease, giving your building the same look it had when the system was first installed. The competition simply doesn’t compare to metal roofing systems in the lifespan department.

Durability

As you might expect, metal roofing systems are stronger and more resilient against the elements than asphalt roofs.

Asphalt roofs designed with fiberglass, one of the most common residential roofing options, can be subject to damage, deterioration, warping, or cracking in harsh weather conditions.

Unlike their competition, metal roofs won’t corrode or crack over time. The most common environmental conditions are also minimized under a metal roof. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, it is estimated that about $1.6 billion of damage is done each year due to hail. However, metal roofs are some of the toughest roofing options for safeguarding against hail damage, as some home and property insurers go so far as to offer discounts to those who implement them.

It’s not limited to hail, either. Metal roofs consistently have the same Class-A fire resistance rating as their asphalt competition, and metal roofs have a 140-mph wind rating (compared to the asphalt’s 120 mph), meaning that up until that speed of air, the roof will hold strong.

Plus, thanks to the lack of frequent maintenance, metal roofing systems won’t be responsible for repair costs down the road. While they do normally have a higher initial investment than asphalt roofs, metal roofing systems save more money long-term by not asking for you to fix them all the time.

Environmentally Friendly

Most metal roofing systems are constructed with a large percentage of recycled materials. Additionally, even if they aren’t made with a lot of recycled materials at their inception, metal roofing systems naturally lend themselves to being recycled at the end of their long lifespan.

Their lifespan itself is beneficial for the environment, as the reduced level of maintenance and upkeep allows for less wasted materials and energy to keep your roof functioning at a reliable level. The benefits extend to the rest of your building as well. Thanks to the lightweight components used in their manufacturing, metal roofs put less strain on the rest of the building, leading to less energy consumed and a smaller ecological footprint.

When compared to their asphalt counterpart, the environmental benefits continue to add up. Asphalt roofs are designed and manufactured with crude oils, a petroleum product that is related to many of the same environmental concerns as fossil fuels. And that’s just in their creation; asphalt shingles are a big contributor to landfills, with the US adding in 11 million tons of asphalt shingle waste every year. While they can be recycled, they contain carcinogenic compounds that don’t break down well and are damaging to the environment.

Metal roofing systems work with the environment and are one of the best solutions for commercial businesses looking to make a difference and possibly use their environmentally-friendly tendencies in marketing.

Looking To Install?

Contact Longview Contracting today to see when we can start working on your metal roof project.