Let’s face it. Replacing a roof may not be as exciting as renovating a kitchen or getting new flooring that you can use and admire everyday without having to stand outside on a ladder. But roof replacement is even more important as a new roof is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your home.
Many Minnesota homeowners have found the benefits of metal roofing. This a roof that’s entirely made from pieces or metal or metal tiles. If you’re considering metal roofing for your Minneapolis home, here are some advantages for this type of roof, along with a few options and considerations.
Advantages of Metal Roofing
Metal roofing offers several benefits:
- Minimal maintenance is one of the main reasons people choose metal roofs.
- Because roof upkeep is low, you can save money in maintenance expenses. Consider that metal roofs are designed to withstand extreme winter weather, which helps you save money on roof maintenance costs.
- Additionally, in hot summer weather, having a steel roof can mean savings on your energy bill for cooling your house. Keep in mind that steel is able to reflect sunlight.
- The light weight quality of metal roofing helps in saving money as you won’t need a supporting structure when building your roof.
- Metal roofs can increase the value of your home when the time comes to move.
- Longevity is another perk as this type of roof can last as long as 50 years or even longer.
- Metal roofing is almost impermeable to snow and rain. This is due to its interlock design, as well as its hard, slippery surface.
- You can find metal roofing in many different colors and styles that go with a house and neighborhood.
- Fire safety is a huge bonus as metal prevents fire from spreading on your property. Its “Class A” fire rating makes this roofing the one that is the most fire resistant of all the other kinds of materials.
- Because metal roofing is highly fire resistant, you can also save money on your home insurance premium.
Roof Panel Options
There are several types of panel options from which to choose, but the two main kinds for residential homes are vertical panels and press-formed panels.
Vertical seam panels, which are long in length, have ribs running from the roof eaves to the ridge of the roof. Gasket screws are used to fasten them. Consider that an adjacent panel covers the attachment point, giving a roof a clean-cut appearance, besides protecting it from inclement Minnesota winter weather. In fact, many homeowners with cabins and mountain homes have found these panels to be highly effective. This type of panel is available in materials, such as aluminum, zinc, copper and steel.
Press-formed panels, which come in standard dimensions, are also popular. You can find them in a wide selection of stunning shades that can go with the color of your home’s exterior. They’re also available in aluminum, copper, zinc, steel and coated metals. Furthermore, they’re can be designed to look like slate, tile, shingles or wood shake, giving your roof cosmetic appeal.
Considerations and Warnings
- The life span of a metal roof mainly depends on how well it’s installed. For example, the flashing must be properly installed.
- There are certain kinds of metal roofing materials that can be applied over an existing roof. In other words, there’s no need to remove existing materials.
- Finding the right metal roofing contractor is even more critical than hiring other types of roofers. This is a profession that is considered to be a specialized trade, requiring specific tools and skills that differ from other more typical roofing skills and products.
Perhaps you’re unsure of the type of roof you need. That’s why you should call the roofing professionals at First Impressions Exteriors. We do residential and commercial jobs in the greater Minneapolis areas, specializing in roofing, siding, gutters and other exterior projects. Please contact us and find out more about how we can help you.