Take Advantage of the Benefits of Winter Metal Roof Installation

If you have been considering a new metal roof for your home but think you need to wait until spring for such a major job, it’s time to reconsider. If your roof needs replacing, you should act sooner rather than later, as the winter weather can have a devastating effect on a roof that is already in failing condition. Because you are already looking into metal roofs, you may know that they offer many benefits that asphalt and other traditional roofing materials can’t compete with. Metal roofs are available in a range of colors and styles that will complement the look of any architectural style and last so long that you will probably never need to replace your roof again. Getting a metal roof installed over the winter months is not just a viable option, but it is a decision you will be glad you made.

Reasons Metal Roofs Are Superior to Others

• All-season installation. One of the many benefits of metal roofs is that they can be installed year-round. Unlike asphalt shingles that are best installed during moderate to warm temperatures so that they seal properly, metal roofs can be installed even when it is freezing outside. Of course, it is important for your roofing contractor to work when winter weather conditions are dry for safety reasons, but the outdoor temperature is not a factor.

• Budget friendliness. Any major project like roof installation is going to be a big investment in your home. Metal roofs are no different, and the initial investment is often a bit higher than it would be with options like asphalt. The benefit, however, is the longevity of the roof. When you have an asphalt roof installed, you can typically expect it to last for 20 years, at best. Metal roofs give you much more bang for your buck, though. Because they often last anywhere between 50 and 70 years, you will likely never need a new roof again, whereas you may have to replace an asphalt roof several times over the years you live in the house.

• Many roofing materials take a beating from the elements. Whether it is snow and ice, hail, or the wind and rain of summer storms, most types of shingles will not hold up through years of abuse from the weather like a metal roof will. Another way that materials like wood and asphalt become damaged is by insects and pests like termites. With a quality metal roof, you will not need to worry about this type of damage. Last, mold and mildew often negatively affect roofs, but this is another type of damage that metal resists. Overall, the strength and durability of a metal roof are unrivaled.

• Energy savings. Metal roofs can be used to your advantage in saving on your energy utility costs by choosing a color that works well in your climate. Because metal roofs reflect solar radiant heat, they help reduce the cost of cooling your home in the summer, but choosing a darker color also helps keep your house warm in the winter by absorbing the sun’s rays. This means that your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your house warm, and you save money.

• Water runoff. Metal roofs provide a great surface to carry water into your gutters and away from your home, no matter how steep or low your roof is. Low-sloped roofs will use the force of gravity to carry the water away just as well as steep roofs.

• Environmental concerns. Metal roofs are a great option if you are trying to use green products in your home renovations. They last for many years and can be recycled after they are removed. This is in sharp contrast to asphalt shingles, which most homeowners have hauled to a landfill when they need to be replaced. If you are getting a metal roof over an existing asphalt roof, you can also save money and help the environment by placing the metal roof on top of the asphalt.

Reasons Metal Roofs Are Perfect for Winter Weather

• Withstands snow. When you live in an area that sees a great deal of winter weather, the snow that builds up on your roof can add a lot of weight and stress on the house’s internal structure. The great thing about metal roofs is that they are designed to shed snow easily and prevent it from collecting in great amounts. Many homeowners who live in areas prone to frequent snowfall shovel or rake the snow off their roofs in between storms to prevent excess weight. When you have a metal roof, it is very easy to give the snow a push and watch it slide right off the roof, whereas other shingles tend to hold the snow and stop it from sliding.

• Snow melts faster. Even in the winter, the sun’s rays tend to heat metal roofing panels during the day. This helps the snow to melt gradually every day so that it doesn’t collect in large amounts. The vertical seams of metal roofs help prevent water from the melted snow from backing up under the roof and cause rotting of the sub-roofing materials.

• Ice dam-free roofs. When the snow on your traditional roof melts during the day and then re-freezes during the cold night, ice damming occurs. This means that the frozen meltwater from the snow creates a dam that causes the next day’s meltwater to back up on the roof. When this happens, the water can work its way under the shingles and into your home, causing leaks, rotting, mold, and other issues that affect your interior.
• Whether it is winter snowstorms or heavy rains in the summer, a metal roof’s durability is unparalleled. Part of the reason these roofs last so long is that they stand up to wind and storms. Metal roofs are corrosion and crack resistant and can withstand great wind gusts without blowing off like asphalt shingles.

As you can see, winter is a great time to have a new metal roof installed and begin reaping the benefits of this superior roofing material. Call an experienced metal roofing contractor today and get started. You may also find that you get a better deal this time of year because contractor schedules aren’t as busy as in the spring and summer.