Ah, the weather… it’s interesting, to say the least! We can have flip-flop weather in January, accompanied by rains that overflow creeks in a heartbeat, followed by a nose-dive in temperatures that turns all that rain into snow. In the summer, the heat combined with the humidity will literally take your breath away and cover those mountains in their namesake haze. All of these fun weather fluctuations combine to wreak havoc on your roof as if they set out to do it on purpose. So what’s to be done? Choosing your roofing surface wisely can make a huge difference in future repair costs and even energy bills. In light of this, consider metal roofing:
HEAT
Our heat here is intense in the summer, and sunny days are the norm. All of that beautiful sunshine is great, but it is heating your roof like a forgotten iron left on a shirt all day long. One of the myths of metal roofing is that it can make a structure hotter, when in fact, many lighter colors actually reflect heat, bouncing it back to where it came from. Your house is cooler and your cooling bills are less: a win-win!
FLOODING
When the rains come down, a solid metal roof will hold up. This goes to simple logic: asphalt shingles are small and nailed on. Each nail hole = a hole in your roof that can serve as an entry point for water. If the tides are up, the little shingles are easily torn from the roof. Metal roofing, on the other hand, is installed with screws with washers, which makes it harder for water to gain entry and are more difficult to be torn out by water.
MOLD
Eww. Mold likes crevices. Asphalt shingles have lots of them. Mold likes dampness. Crevices hold dampness. Again, shingles have lots them. Metal roofing is smooth and crevice free, therefore eliminating the hiding places for nasty mold to grow.
HAIL
Another myth: hail dents metal roofs. While large hail can damage any roofing material, normal-sized hail will not cause dents in a metal roof. Strong and durable, your metal roof can stand up to hail.
WIND
Again, it’s logic: flexible, little rectangles held in place by nails cannot possibly withstand the same amount of force as larger, solid materials fastened in by screws with washers. Metal roofing is a great choice if you live in a windy area.
Weather is unpredictable and can damage your home, which is likely the largest investment you will make in your lifetime. Your first line of defense in the fight against weather is your roof, which shields your home from everything Mother Nature throws at it. Metal roofing stands up to harsh conditions and can actually save you money in the long run. There are many roofing material choices out there, but if you are interested in a roof that will stand the test of time and look great while doing it, consider metal roofing.