When it comes time for a roof replacement, one of the options you may be considering is metal, a durable option that — if properly maintained — can last for decades. In this guide, we’ll cover the benefits and drawbacks of this roofing material and address frequently asked questions, including whether metal roofs are susceptible to rusting.
One of the greatest advantages of metal roofing is its low maintenance, which involves little more than occasional debris removal. Other benefits of metal include:
Some of the downsides to metal roofs include:
One of the most common questions regarding metal roofs is whether they rust and, if so, how to mitigate the risk. Metal roofs are most commonly made from either aluminum or steel, but steel roofs are usually protected by a zinc-based alloy coating that makes them resistant to corrosion. Even though the iron found in a steel roof will oxidize over the years, for the majority of the lifespan of the roof, it is the outer coating that will oxidize. However, if this outer coating is damaged, this could decrease your roof’s lifespan, which is why regular inspections are so essential.
Metal roof rust damage is a more common concern in areas near the ocean or other large bodies of saltwater.
In this section, we’ll outline the basic steps for metal roof rust repair. While it’s recommended that you treat rust before holes or cracks develop, urethane roofing cement is effective for making patches, which can withstand intense sunlight. The steps are as follows:
The most popular metal roofing materials for homeowners include:
There’s a lot of misinformation regarding metal roofs, which often discourages homeowners from even considering this type of roofing material. In this section, we’ll bust five of the most common myths about metal roofs.
Many people are under the impression that “metal attracts lightning,” perhaps because the lightning rods installed on top of buildings are made of metal. However, these rods don’t actually attract lightning — instead, the metal serves to conduct the electricity in the case of a lightning strike, channeling it down into the ground, helping prevent damage to the building.
Metal roofs, just like metal lightning rods, do not increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. The risk of a lightning strike is increased by other factors, primarily:
In fact, if you’re concerned about lightning safety, metal is one of the best roofing materials. The primary reason for this is that it’s noncombustible, which is a huge advantage when it comes to lightning strikes.
Also, if you’d like to minimize the threat of a lightning strike on your building or home, consider installing a lightning protection system.
Another common misconception about metal roofs is that they make a lot of noise when it’s raining and hailing. While it’s true that some metal roofing profiles can be noisy in some circumstances, metal roofs are generally designed and installed to be just as quiet as any other type of roof.
Having said that, some homeowners actually prefer to hear the noise of rain and hail. Luckily, metal roofing can be installed so that it makes as much or as little noise as you’d like.
Here are common factors that affect how noisy a metal roof is:
It’s true — most metals do rust or develop a patina over time when exposed to water and oxygen, a process known as oxidation. However, metals don’t necessarily rust with the reddish-brown color that the word “rust” is generally associated with. Even though most metals will rust eventually, metal sheets used for roofing are engineered and coated to prevent the formation of rust for many years.
Here’s a look at how each popular metal roofing material is engineered:
Besides the metals used for sheets and coils, the paints that are applied to these metals are also designed to help prevent corrosion and rust. What’s more — if any of these metals or paints fail, a reputable manufacturer may offer some kind of paint or substrate warranty.
Metal roofing, despite popular belief, is extremely difficult to dent and even harder to puncture. Many new metal roof owners are concerned that a hail storm will leave dents all over, but later discover that hail very rarely dents or damages a metal roof. To do any significant damage to a metal roof, the hail storm would have to be very fierce with extremely large pieces of hail.
Fortunately, a guideline in the industry known as the Standard for Impact Resistance of Prepared Roof Covering Materials was created to evaluate the hail resistance of a metal panel. Each tested product is rated on a scale ranging from 1 to 4, with 4 being the toughest and having the lowest likelihood of denting when coming into contact with hail.
If you live in a region prone to hail storms, you’ll want to consider installing a metal roof with striation or a rib roller in the panel’s flat part, as it may help to conceal any denting that may appear following a serious hailstorm.
It’s also worth mentioning that some home insurance companies offer “hail damage waivers.” It lowers the prices of your premiums but waives coverage for hail-related replacements or repairs.
While it’s true that metal can hold heat for a long time when in the sun, that fact doesn’t necessarily apply to today’s metal roofing.
When it comes to sustainability, metal roofing technology has come a long way, with the creation of cool metal roofing being one of the greatest advancements in the recent past. Cool metal roofing panels have a high emissivity, which refers to how quickly the metal surface releases its absorbed heat, returning to its normal temperature. It also has a high Solar Reflective Index (SRI), which refers to how well a surface can reflect the sun’s rays, allowing the panels to absorb less heat from the sun.
Cool roofing, besides having a longer life-cycle, is also eco-friendly and energy-efficient. It is available in a wide array of finishes, colors, slope-applications and profiles.
In short, metal roofing doesn’t necessarily hold heat during the summer months.
At Roof RX, we have installed, repaired and replaced thousands of roofs in and around Fort Meyers, FL, and we attribute our large, loyal client base to our commitment to craftsmanship and customer service. When you work with us, we will provide you with a concise strategy to handle all your roofing needs. Whether your roof has suffered storm damage from hail or wind or your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan, we make the process simple and straightforward. Whatever your request, our team of professionals will work hard to make your dreams a reality.
To receive a free inspection, get in touch with us today.