Pittsburgh House Metal Roofing FAQ

While metal roofs may come with a higher initial cost, roughly double that of asphalt shingle roofs, their longevity far outweighs the expense, lasting 3 to 4 times longer. If you already have a tile or cedar shake roof, the costs of transitioning to a metal roof are comparable. However, with a metal roof, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a premium home product.

Thanks to their exceptional durability and energy-efficient properties, which can lead to reduced energy bills, metal roofs represent a wise lifetime investment. Moreover, most metal roofs include an impressive 30 to 50-year warranty, meaning you can put roofing concerns behind you for good!

Metal roofs are not at a higher risk of being struck by lightning during a storm compared to asphalt roofs. Nevertheless, in the rare event that a metal roof does get struck by lightning, it has the ability to safely disperse the energy throughout the structure.

It’s highly unlikely for metal roofs to rust due to their special design. They are coated with a combination of aluminum and zinc, which is applied through a hot-dipping process over materials like carbon steel, pure aluminum, zinc, or copper. This coating effectively prevents rust formation. Furthermore, a factory-applied paint layer is added to steel or aluminum, ensuring a long-lasting, pristine appearance for many years to come.

In fact, when installed with solid sheeting, metal roofs have the ability to reduce the noise generated by rain, hail, and various weather conditions.

Metal roofs are exceptionally resilient, capable of enduring decades of harsh weather conditions such as high winds, heavy snowfall, hailstorms, and even wildfires. With a 120-mph wind rating, they can withstand wind gusts of up to 120 miles per hour, equivalent to the force of an F2 tornado. According to architect Rich Carroll, metal roofing systems exceed the new building code requirements for wind and uplift resistance, providing a reassuring level of security and allowing for the use of top-quality materials.

In regions prone to heavy snowfall, homeowners have favored metal roofing for years. Its rapid snow shedding capability safeguards the structural integrity of the roof and prevents ice damming at the eaves, preventing water from backing up and seeping into your home.

For those residing in wildfire-prone areas, metal roofing serves as an effective protective measure, shielding homes from potential damage in case burning embers land on the roof.

Metal roofing isn’t just beneficial for your home; it’s also a positive choice for the environment. Steel used in metal roofs contains approximately 56% recycled content, spanning from production and installation to eventual reuse. This sustainability far outshines asphalt roofing materials.

The National Association of Homebuilders Research Center reports that a staggering 20 billion pounds of asphalt shingles are discarded into U.S. landfills annually. If you were to load these shingles onto tractor trailers and line them up end-to-end, they would stretch from New York City to Los Angeles, loop back to New York City, and continue on to Chicago—an immense amount of wasted asphalt. However, because metal roofing can often be installed over your existing roof, eliminating the need to tear off the old one, it contributes significantly to reducing this excessive shingle waste.

Modern metal roofing is made to look like common materials (like asphalt shingle or cedar shake) but is stronger and more durable.

A metal roof lasts at least 2 to 3 times longer, generally 30 to 50+ years.

Typically, no significant interference occurs; signal boosters can help in areas with weak reception.

Some do, but high-quality metal roofs are coated with fade-resistant PVDF coatings.

Yes, depending on the roof’s pitch and weather conditions.

Some metal roofing is DIY-friendly, but it’s usually installed by trained professionals.

No, they are not typically loud due to modern insulation.