A Metal Roof is a Valuable Investment    

More and more homes and commercial buildings are now installing metal roofs. Why are homeowners and businesses making the switch from asphalt shingles and other roof types to metal roofing?

You not only will save a lot of money in future roof repair and replacement costs, but it could mean a reduction in insurance premiums in most states, likely lower utility bills and higher property resale value since roof replacement costs are usually one of the biggest negotiation points of a home sale. Your new metal roof can last a lifetime unlike an asphalt shingle roof which requires re-roofing every 10 to 20 years. A metal roof may increase the re-sale value of a home and most insurance companies offer a home owner insurance reduction for a metal roof.

Most utility companies offer incentives to install our energy star rated metal roofing products. You are not only eligible to enjoy these immediate incentives from your utility company, but consider that with conventional roofing materials, most of the heat that enters your home comes from your roof.

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​How is All Metal Roofing Specialists different from its competitors?

We are your local, family business emphasizing value to the customer. From the quality and pricing of our products all the way through the installation process, we are right by your side.

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Is a Metal Roof Noisy?

No. A common misconception made by people is that a metal roof will be noisy so if you are hoping to hear the sound of rain on your metal roof you will be disappointed. A metal roof is installed like other roofing material – over solid sheathing. When installed this way a metal roof is actually just as quiet as other roofing products. Actually some metal roofing such as stone coated are quieter than many other types and even have a 2” hail warranty.

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Will a metal roof rust?

No - Metal roofing systems today are built to last. If a metal roof is steel it is first coated with a coating of wither zinc or a zinc and aluminum mix which inhibits the formation of rust. It is then primed and painted to provide the long lasting color that a home owner desires. Standing Seam and some metal shingles are also available in painted aluminum. Galvalume coated steel roofing panels are protected by layers of metallic and polymer coatings. Industry studies have repeatedly shown them to outperform the corrosion resistance of other coated metals. They are available with warranty's as long as 50 years.

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Will a Metal Roof attract lightning?

No.  A metal roof will not increase the chances of your home getting struck by lightning. In fact if your roof WERE hit by lightning the metal would disperse the energy safely throughout the structure. Metal roofing is not flammable or combustible so it is a safer option than say wood shake especially in an area where weather is a concern. Steel roofing is no more susceptible to lightning than any other roofing material.  Lightning most frequently strikes the highest point in any terrain; and if your roof is the highest point of the surrounding terrain, you can install lightning rods.

 

 

Is metal Roofing heavy?

No. - Actually metal roofing in most cases is 50% lighter and asphalt shingles and 75% lighter than concrete tiles. Much to many people's surprise, metal roofs are significantly lighter than other types of roofs. Typically they weigh less than one-third the weight of asphalt/fiberglass shingles; and are as much as 75% lighter than clay, concrete or slate.

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Can you walk on a Metal Roof?

Yes, you can walk on all metal roofs. Check with the manufacturer of the product that you chose for your roof.

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Is a metal roof fire safe?

A metal roof is the most fire safe roof. It is classified as a noncombustible roofing material with a Class "A" rating - the highest rating given.

Is a metal roof resistant to wind damage?

All metal roofing products are very wind resistant. Many styles have been tested to withstand hurricane force winds; and wind warranties can be as high as 120 mph.

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Does the color on a metal roof fade?

Metal roofs are painted with high-performance polymers that have exceptional weathering properties. Over time you might notice a slight change in color due to the settling of airborne contamination, but occasional rain or washing the roof with a garden hose (from the ground) will keep the roof looking like new.
Ask about our Energy Star Approved paints.

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Is a metal roof cost effective?

Actually, a metal roof can save you money on your a/c costs because it has a higher heat reflectivity than other roofing products like asphalt/fiberglass shingles, wood, tile, ect. During the summer  it makes buildings cooler by efficiently reflecting away sunlight and reducing the amount of heat transmitted into the building. Likewise, it makes buildings warmer in the winter by reflecting inside heat from the underside of the roof back into the building. This good thermal reflectivity translates into energy savings by reducing cooling costs in the summer and heating costs in the winter.
Metal roofing is energy efficient. How efficient? Tests have shown that a metal roof can reduce cooling costs by as much as 40%. In addition, metal roofing meets the criteria of recycled content, so it’s environmentally friendly. 

Metal roofing in both light and dark colors reflects heat effectively to reduce cooling loads in the summer and insulate during the winter.  This can help lower energy bills.

Up to 40% ENERGY SAVINGS - lower heating and cooling bills

***Solar Reflectivity - The metal panel's ability to reflect sunlight.

This characteristic of metal roofing is the most important in terms of energy savings. Cool metal roofing reflects much of the sun’s rays, making the surface of the metal much cooler than material with a lower solar reflectivity rating.

***Emissivity - The metal panel's ability to release absorbed heat.

A low emissivity rating means the material will be hot to the touch (it doesn’t release the heat), while material with a higher emissivity rating will be cooler to the touch. Therefore, metal with a low emissivity rating retains heat and may be more desirable for a cooler climate, while a high emissivity rating reflects heat and is more effective for saving energy in a warmer climate.

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Is a metal roof Strong & Durable?

A metal roof stands up to all types of wind and weather conditions, and meets most building codes for fire, wind and impact.  In terms of longevity, a metal roof lasts three to four times longer than asphalt shingle roofs. Recent advancements in metal roof painting and coating technology have eliminated the concerns about rust and corrosion. Many of the leading manufacturers offer outstanding long term warranties. 

Durability - LASTS 2-3 TIMES LONGER than traditional asphalt shingles

Up to - 95% RECYCLED CONTENT environmentally friendly

If I'm reroofing, do I have to remove the old roof before installing the metal roof?

Usually not if you're installing the metal roof over existing asphalt, fiberglass or composition shingles (maximum of two layers thick). In most situations, the metal roof can be installed directly over the old roof.
We install this type of roof on a case by case basis.

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What is the difference between galvalume and galvanized?

Galvalume is Al-Zn (aluminum-zinc) coated sheet steel that is ideally suited for most types of roofing applications. It is a coating consisting of zinc, aluminum and silicon that is used to protect a metal (primarily steel) from oxidation. It is similar to galvanizing in that it is a sacrificial metal coating which protects the base metal. An estimated 40 billion square feet of galvalume now covers buildings in all kinds of climates and environments throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Europe, Asia and Australia. Galvalume is an ideal material for roofing because of its extraordinary outdoor corrosion resistance and resulting long life. It is extremely popular due to its versatility, ease of use, aesthetics and long-term performance.

Galvanized steel consists of a piece of steel cleaned and dipped into molten zinc. The zinc then hardens onto the steel, creating an extra protective coating. This helps the steel stand up to rust, corrosion, nicks, and dents. Galvanized steel is a staple of construction, manufacturing, and fabrication for its durability and resistance to corrosion. Galvanization can be found on most steel structures. 

Galvanization is still used today to protect steel roofing, though it is now less common than Galvalume.  While galvanized coatings are made up purely of zinc, Galvalume coatings use a specific combination of zinc, aluminum and silicon. Because of the addition of aluminum which prevents oxidation, Galvalume has superior corrosion resistance and can last twice as long as its galvanized counterpart.

Galvanized steel consists of zinc, while Galvalume’s coat consists of zinc, aluminum, and silicone.

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Does the coating matter?

 YES! 

Pre-painted Galvalume®
Even under your painted metal roof, there is a layer of Galvalume protection that you need to prevent corrosion. Paints are permeable and will retain and release moisture. This means that the corrosion resistant coating that is under the paint is extremely important.

Buyers should pay close attention because they can easily be fooled by misleading advertising. Your paint layer can be a high-quality paint, but if the corrosion resistance layer is below average, your metal roof is at risk of failing prematurely. Most companies, even large, reputable ones, tout a 40-year paint warranty but are applying that high quality paint on top of low-cost corrosion resistance coatings. This allows them to offer a lower price to consumers with the perception that it is a quality product.

What makes a corrosion resistance coating subpar?

For an aluminum-zinc substrate to be considered "Galvalume" it must have a specific formulation of aluminum and zinc, and must be a certain weight.
Galvalume weights are measured with the prefix "AZ", which stands for Aluminium-Zinc. Acrylic coated unpainted Galvalume metal roofing usually carries a corrosion resistance weight of AZ55 (the 55 represents 0.55 ounces of aluminum-zinc coating per square foot). This is an very durable coating and most mills even offer a 25-year corrosion resistance warranty on this product without it even being painted. A quality prepainted metal roofing product will have a corrosion resistance weight of G60 or G90 if galvanized is used, and AZ50 if Galvalume is used. A common low quality coating that has unfortunately made its way into the residential metal roofing market is AZ35. This would be a corrosion resistance coating of 0.35 ounces of aluminum-zinc coating per square foot.

A residential metal roof product with a Galvalume corrosion resistance weight that is less than AZ50 is a cheap product and should not be installed on your home.

In fact, AZ35 coatings are not even technically considered "Galvalume". Steelscape  a leading manufacturer of painted metal states:"Due to the length of the zinc columns in the aluminum-zinc coating, a thinner AZ35 coating can create pathways for corrosion. As a result, AZ35 coatings cannot carry the Galvalume trade name and will not carry a corrosion warranty."
AZ35 does not meet residential building code requirements. Material providers that market AZ35 coated material as a residential product, and installers who install such products could be opening themselves up to liability.  We at All Metal Roofing Specialists do not use an AZ35 painted product on any of our roofs.