5 Reasons Metal Roofs Are Considered Green Roofing Options

When it comes to the topic of residential roofing projects, you’ll be pleased to learn that you have a wide range of choices when it comes to the material. After all, as the homeowner, you’re more than free to choose between materials like asphalt, slate and even concrete tile. However, while each material has its own sets of advantages and disadvantages, and each are considered green roofing options to a certain degree, there is another green roofing material that you shouldn’t forget to consider: metal roofs.

Believe it or not, despite the fact that they’re more commonly associated with barns and industrial buildings, metal roofs have been considered a green roofing option by the roofing industry for a while now. But why are these considered green options?

1. Metal Roofs Are Energy-Efficient

According to roofing industry pros, metal roofs are considered a green roofing option for one obvious reason: they’re energy-efficient when properly installed in your home. This is because if a metal roof is properly installed in your home, and you choose one that has a light color, your roofing system can reflect solar heat, allowing you to reduce your monthly cooling costs by 10% to 25%. Apart from that, if you live in an area where cooling costs are higher than heating costs, and you decide to coat the metal roof with shiny or granular coatings, you can still maximize the roof’s reflective capabilities and improve your monthly energy savings even further.

2. They Can Be Recycled

Even now, whenever homeowners decide to have their old residential roofing systems replaced, they often have their roofing contractor dispose of it in a landfill, adding further to the trash that is already there and further harming the environment in the process. This is where metal roofs become a green roofing option as, when the time comes your metal roof has to be replaced, metal recycling outlets will be more than willing to take your old roof in and repurpose it for different use. This prevents your metal roof from winding up in a landfill and harming the environment even further.

3. They Can Be Installed Over Existing Roofing Systems

Apart from being recyclable, metal roofing systems are also considered green roofing options because they can be installed over your existing roofing system so long as your local building codes allow it. Again, this helps you avoid tearing off your old roof and disposing of them in a landfill, helping you protect the environment as a result. However, keep in mind that doing so can cause a whole host of problems, such as trapped moisture, so it’s best that you install a vented metal roof with the aid of a professional roofing company.

4. Metal Roofs Are Impervious to Fire, Rot and Pest Damage

Alternatively, the roofing industry also considers metal roofs as green roofing options due to the fire, rot and pest resistance that they have. This means that if you live in an area that’s prone to wildfires, and you have a metal roof, there’s a high chance that your metal roof can stay intact even when the wildfire affects your home. Thanks to its pest and rot resistance, on the other hand, your roof can also last longer before needing a replacement, once again letting you avoid contributing to landfills that can harm the environment.

5. They’re Incredibly Durable and Long Lasting

Finally, roof repair and replacement experts also say that the roofing industry considers metal roofs as green roofing options for the sole fact that they’re incredibly durable. Believe it or not, there’s hardly anything that can actually threaten a metal roof that’s properly installed, and, with the proper maintenance, this same durability allows a metal roofing system to last longer compared to your average roofing material. This lets you avoid having to replace your roof immediately, reducing the amount of trash that you contribute to your local landfill.

How to Find the Best Metal Roofing Contractor for Your Project

Replacing your old roof with a new metal roofing system is a complicated home improvement project that homeowners should never attempt to do on their own. Instead, you should make it a point to find the best metal roofing contractor to get the job done. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways you can accomplish this. For instance, you can always ask for trusted referrals from a friend, neighbor or family member who recently had a metal roof installed. If this isn’t an option, on the other hand, you can always reach out to the metal roof manufacturer or roofing organizations and associations for any suggestions and recommendations.

On the other hand, if you want to find a metal roofing contractor on your own, you’re always more than free to look for one on the Internet. If you opt for this option, you can always do a quick Google search or visit websites such as Angie’s List® or the Better Business Bureau to find a contractor that specializes in installing metal roofing systems. 

Once you’ve picked a few companies, check the reviews of previous clients to see if they have any history of unresolved complaints. After you’ve narrowed down your options even further, you can now meet with your potential contractors to interview them, discuss terms and receive estimates from them. After you’ve received the estimates, pick one that agrees with your budget the most so you can finally have your new metal roofing system installed.

Looking for someone who can perform an emergency roof repair project for your home? Look no further than the experts of Total Roof Services Corp. to get the job done. With a decade’s worth of experience in the roofing industry, we are committed to giving homeowners like you only the best when it comes to products and customer service. Give us a call at (407) 495-4151