What You Need to Know About Metal Roofs
If you are ready to install a new roof on your Tampa Bay home, have many options, including a shingle roof , a tile roof , or a metal roof. You might have heard good things about metal roofing , but if you don’t know a lot about them, it’s wise to learn as much as you can before you make a decision.
Metal Roofs Are Not Prone to Leaks
Roof leaks can be a major problem for homeowners. Even small leaks can contribute to serious and expensive property damage to everything from your rafters or trusses to your ceiling, walls, flooring and more. Roof leaks can also lead to mold and mildew growth inside your home, decreased energy efficiency and a host of other problems.
Of course, any type of roof can leak. However, when installed properly, metal roofing is less prone to leaks than some other roofing types. With traditional metal roofing , there are not as many seams, which means there is less of a chance of leaks occurring than with asphalt shingles. Leaks can still occur at the seams or in the areas where roofing screws are used. The right installation team can help ensure that your metal roof is installed properly so that leaks will not occur, and regular inspections can help you make sure that your roof does not leak and that it stays in tip-top shape.
Metal Roofs Can Handle High Winds
You probably already know that you cannot completely prepare your home for the devastating storms that can affect the area during hurricane season. However, it is probably important to you to use building materials that will help you protect your home from high winds during tropical storms and hurricanes. Also, if you live along the coast, you probably know that high winds can be a problem even when there isn’t a hurricane churning in the Gulf.
With asphalt shingles , there is the possibility of the shingles flying off of your roof during periods of tropical weather. Metal roofing, on the other hand, is considered by many to be the ideal roofing material for those who live in hurricane-prone areas or who are otherwise concerned about high winds.
Things to Know About Having a Metal Roof
So, it’s time to replace your roof. You could go the traditional route with tiles or shingles, or you could think outside the box. Outside the shingled box, that is. Metal roof materials are more durable, better for the environment, and have a high ROI.
It’s an Investment
Let’s say you live in your current house for thirty years. A classic, shingled roof will need replacing twice in that time. Maybe three times depending on your climate! If you’re lucky you can get away with replacing it twice, but buyers will bid higher if you sell with a new roof.
It Provides Protection
Think about all the things that can go wrong with a roof. There’s water damage, tree damage, soft spots, rotting shingles, and a long list of other issues. Metal roofing doesn’t prevent all of that, but it wipes the bulk off your worry list. Not only is water damage off the table, but a metal roof is fire resistant too.
High and Quick ROI
Going back to the previous situation, let’s say you replaced your roof 10 years in and you’re ready to sell. Even if it’s year thirty and your roof is twenty years old, you could get up to 6% higher resale value.
Tons of Color Choices
There are only so many colors you can get with traditional shingles. They’re mostly neutrals, with some clay reds thrown in for good measure. Tiles are the same idea, the classic Spanish red tile is about as bright as it comes.
Will Snow Guards Damage My Metal Roof?
Massive snow accumulation on a roof creates the potential for an unpredictable avalanche-like effect. Metal is a great choice for your rooftop. It has a long life expectancy and can stand up to the harshest conditions. It does have a low coefficient of friction though–meaning things (including snow) don’t stick to it very well. But the notion that snow is intended to slide off a metal roof is misguided and can be dangerous.
Won’t I Damage My Roof if I Attach Snow Guards to it?
Even the best snow guard system can cause damage if it is not properly engineered to the project. That is why any system must be prudently tested, engineered and time-proven.
How Do I Know How Much Snow My Roof Can Handle?
“Design snow load” is the downward force for which a building’s roof is designed (the weight of accumulated snow and ice it can handle). Access this information from your building contractor, project engineer or in the structural plans for the building. “Allowable capacity” is the tested failure load divided by a factor of safety to ensure the product cannot fail in service.
The three main types of snow guards:
Structure Attachment (Brackets) – Attaches by penetrative, mechanical fastening through the roof and into the building’s structural components (typically purlins or trusses).
Clamp-Mounted (Clamps) – Uses a metal roof seam to fasten a clamp onto – with round-point setscrews that apply pressure onto the seam but do not puncture the metal.
Adhesive/Stick-On (Glued-On/”Peel and Stick”) – Attaches (chemically) proprietary variations of cleats to the roof surface.
The above are then either unitized (dis-continuous) or continuous. Unitized snow guards (snow cleats, pad-style snow guards) can be single- or multi-component and do not require a continuous cross-member (a bar or pipe that forms a connection to all the pieces). Normally used in a redundant manner, unitized snow guards rely on snowpack “bridging” between adjacent devices. They often attach via adhesives.
The Best Metal Roofing System
Because you rarely have to think about your roof until you incur storm damage or it’s just aging, most people just instinctively go with what they had before — most likely a roof with shingles. However, it’s important to note that roofing has come a long way in the last few decades with many quality roofing materials, such as metal roofs, making waves. Master Shake Roofing System is a proprietary metal roofing system that brings metal roofs to a whole new level. When you’re looking for a new roof, try Master Shake Roofing instead!
Roofs are so often overlooked when it comes to home ownership — and for good reason. One, they don’t require a lot of maintenance, and they do their job day in and day out without complaining. Two, you’d rather make your home’s interior space perfect, from remodeling your kitchen and bathroom to investing in built-in cabinets in the kids’ rooms. Hence, your roof has to demand attention if it hopes to get any, which if your roof was installed by professional roofers to begin with, such as Master Shake Roofing Systems, it’s supposed to be of secondary importance.
Durable.
One of the main concerns of homeowners or commercial businesses when installing a new roof is its durability. How will my roof stand up to a storm? What about hail damage and wind damage? What about critters? Because a roof is in your peripheral vision, you don’t want to have to think about it. Thus, you want it to be as durable as possible, hold up to the toughest of storms, and in essence, do its job so you don’t have to think about it. If you’re planning on investing in a new roof soon, consider Master Shake Roofing’s best metal roofs. They can withstand the most extreme of weather with no complaints, and you won’t have to worry about loose shingles peppering your yard or a yard full of black granules after a storm from shingles.
Long lasting.
Metal is one of the strongest materials on this planet, used to hold up the biggest buildings and capable of lasting centuries. Metal roofs are a combination of the strongest metal alloys, including chromium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, and nickel, just to name a few.Most metal roofs last well over 50 years with the proper care and maintenance. When you’re in the market for a new roof, consider Master Shake Roofing System based in Ontario and Indiana. We offer a 50 year warranty on all of our metal roofing materials — something not many other metal roofing contractors offer.
Eco-friendly.
Most of us are looking to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet. Shingle roofs are notorious for taking up huge amounts of landfill space. Metal roofs, on the other hand, are 100% recyclable, and are made almost entirely from recycled metal. In fact, all metal can be recycled without losing any of its strength. When you decide to look into roofing types, visit Master Shake Roofing System’s website today. You’ll be amazed to learn the value of metal roofing over all the other guys out there.
How to Clean a Metal Roof: Everything You Need to Know About Metal Roofing Maintenance
The season of spring cleaning is upon us! Cleaning your metal roof is an important part of maintaining its appearance and keeping it in tip-top shape. We’re here to share with you the best ways to clean a metal roof, and more importantly, how to clean a metal roof safely!
How to Clean a Metal Roof Safely
One of the most important factors of cleaning your metal roof is safety. Metal is slippery, especially when cleaning agents and water is combined.
In order to clean a metal roof safely and effectively, you’ll need to remember a few important things, including the following:
Never, never, never get on top of your roof alone. There should ALWAYS be at least one other person present when getting on top of your metal roof in case of accidents.
Use an OSHA approved safety ladder. Ladder safety is key in your ability to safely clean your roof. You may also want to consider purchasing padded stabilizers in order to better protect your metal roof’s paint or finish. The coatings on a metal roof offer a lot of protection, so to prevent scratches and damage from your ladder, stabilizers should have a soft surface to touch.
Wear shoes with good traction and no rocks or other debris stuck in the bottoms. If you’re planning on walking around on top of your roof, this is key. Ensuring you have shoes that can support you while on top of the roof is highly recommended. You should also wear any necessary protective clothing and eye wear, especially if you’re handling cleaning agents and solutions.
For extra precaution, consider purchasing, wearing, and using fall protection equipment. This can include harnesses and other fall systems.
If you plan on using cleaning solutions and agents, always be sure to read the recommendations on the product labels. Some cleaning solutions can be toxic and cause harm to your roof, the ground below, and even you. If you think there’s a chance your cleaning solution could run off the roof, cover the plants below with a tarp or other protective cover.
Best Ways to Clean a Metal Roof
After ensuring you’re following all the safety precautions, you can then begin to clean your metal roof. One of the first things you’ll want to do is remove any debris as best as possible. This can include sticks, leaves, and other items.
Most dirt and dust can then be removed with water. Using a garden hose is one of the safest options and can help you reach areas of your metal roof without having to climb on top of it. Many homeowners ask, “Can you power wash a metal roof?” and the answer is yes you can, but we don’t recommend it. Mainly because a power washer can dent a metal roof if its used to spray the roof too closely. Power washers are also bulky and heavy, so unless you have the proper extensions needed, it may be difficult to get them up high enough to reach the entire roof.