The ability of stone-coated metal to mimic the appearance and form of just about any other roofing material is not its only draw. Despite what it may look like, it still retains all the other properties that make metal a superior choice of material for roofing. Shaping metal into shingles and tiles melds the properties of metal with the inherent advantages of that form of construction, as follows:
- Longevity – Metal roofs last a long time, far longer than most other roof types (other than slate). Asphalt shingles typically last 20 years; wood shingles and shakes, and clay or concrete tiles about 30 years. By spending on premium versions of the above, you can make them last about 50 years. Metal, on the other hand, typically lasts a minimum of 50 years, without needing special treatment. Where asphalt starts to deteriorate as soon as it’s exposed to normal weather, metal, on the other hand, will never decompose.
- Durability – Unlike most other roofing materials, such as asphalt, clay, and concrete, metal does not lose impact resistance as it ages. Long after you’ve had to replace other roof types due to damage over time, a metal roof will still give the same protective value as when it was first installed.
- Strength – Metal roofing systems have performed well even in the most rigorous and demanding wind and uplift tests, and are capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 150 miles per hour. Wood tops out at 60 mph, while asphalt can handle up to 70 mph.
- Fire resistance – Unlike most other roof types, metal roofs don’t burn. There is therefore no need to add a fire resistant coating or other such treatment to metal roofs. In the unlikely case that your house is struck by lightning, not only will the roof not burn, but it also serves to ground the lightning strike, dissipating the energy safely through the structure of the house.
For more information about metal roofing systems, call our experts at Arry’s Roofing.
Coming soon is Part 3 of Stone-Coated Metal: A Roofing Revolution, which builds on Part 2 by listing all the reasons a stone-coated metal roof is right for you.
