A properly installed and maintained metal roof can last for up to 100 years. This material is a popular option for both commercial and residential roofing systems. While vertical seam panels remain the most popular style of metal roof, some manufacturers offer products that resemble the look of other popular materials like shingle, slate, shake and tile.
Here are reasons you should choose a metal roof for your commercial property.
Long Lifespan
A Ducker Research Company study involving 36 roofing systems across the U.S. found that metal roofs can last around twice as long as asphalt and single-ply roofing. The long lifespan of metal roofing attributed to its inherent qualities.
Metal roofing often has roof clips that secure the panels to the structural members. The roof clips keep the panel secure while still allowing for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. Factory punching ensures the roof panels are properly aligned and heavy-duty fasteners are used to keep them intact.
Staggering splices prevents exposed seams and leaks on the supporting steel to increase resistance to damage due to foot traffic and snow loads. With steel-rod bracing, metal roofs will not stretch or sag, keeping the system strong and weathertight. To eliminate leaks, fasteners are hidden inside the curbs.
Save Energy
A well-designed roof can help you save on energy and get significant savings throughout the life of your building. You can save up to 40 percent. Energy efficiency requirements in buildings are becoming stricter.
Roofs are usually the least-energy efficient component of the building envelope. Heating and cooling often consume around 30 percent of a building’s energy. Half of the energy you use on your building is lost through the roof. Moreover, a properly design and installed metal roofing can help minimize energy loss and make it easier to regulate the temperature of your interior. Also, metal roofs can take up more insulation, with up to an R-value of 40. The amount of insulation will not affect the lifespan of a metal roof.
Metal Roofs Are More Sustainable
Steel roofing is completely recyclable and the steel in a new roof usually contains 25 to 28 percent recycled content. This material can be recycled continuously without affecting is performance. Many roofing materials are thrown to landfills after use. In some cases, these used materials are considered hazardous waste.
Increased Property Value
Commercial and residential roofing materials that boost energy efficiency will not only help reduce your energy costs but also increase the marketability of your building. More and more consumers are looking for energy-efficient features. In fact, studies show that rent premiums for ENERGY STAR®-certified office buildings can range from five to 8.5 percent.
Reduce Air Conditioning Costs
Since metal roofs can also act as cool roofs, they can provide significant energy savings during the warmer months. When painted in light colors, roofs can reflect more solar radiation and reduce their surface temperature.
The infrared-reflective pigments in these commercial and residential roofing systems reflect generous amounts of sunlight even if the material is in darker colors. Moreover, during cloudy days or past sunset, the temperature of metal roofs reduce faster than other materials.
According to a study at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, cool metal roofs perform better than white membrane roofing. They are proven more effective than many popular roofing materials when it comes to reflecting ultraviolet rays and solar heat.