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People often wonder if metal roofing is suitable for their homes. Suppose you, like many Americans, are in the market for a new roof. In that case, the roofing material chosen will make a marked difference in your new roof’s cost, performance, look, maintenance, and durability. There are plenty of available options like wood shakes, composite tile, concrete tile, metal roofing, or asphalt shingles that vary significantly in durability and cost. A roofing contractor in Longwood offers some critical pros and cons of metal roofs. When compared to other materials, metal roofing can be much more beneficial than conventional roofing materials in several ways. The test of time A quality metal roof, when properly installed, can seal out water, survive high winds, and quickly shed heavy snow. A metal roof should last 40 to 50 years, and its resistance to fire, mildew, rot, and insects pays off in longevity. For comparison, this list shows how long other roofing materials are expected to last. Please remember that harsh conditions, damage from severe weather, and poor workmanship can shorten any roof’s life expectancy. Tar and gravel flat roof- 20 to 25 years Asphalt shingles- 20 years Wood shingles and shakes- 30 years Fiber cement shingles- 25 years Modified bitumen roofing- 20 years Metal roofs are known for lasting up to 50 years depending on climate conditions, unforeseen damage, and quality. This is about the same quality as: Simulated slate-50 years. Clay and concrete roof and tiling- 50+ years Natural slate- 50+ years. You can expect warranties of quality metal roof manufacturers to range from 20 to 50 years. For example, roofing products with painted finishes typically have a 30-year limited warranty, while materials finished with durable, resin-based polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF, often have 50-year warranties. Lightweight Depending on the thickness and profile of the materials, metal roofing often weighs 1 to 3 pounds per square foot. It is known to be one of the lightest of all roofing materials. And by comparison, here are typical weights of other roofing materials: Clay or concrete tile- 5.5 to 10 lbs. per square foot. Conventional asphalt shingles- from 2 to 3.5 lbs. per square foot Wood shingles and shakes- from 3.5 to 4.5 lbs per square foot. Textured architectural asphalt shingles- from 3.5 to 5 lbs. per square foot. Because of the light weight of metal roofing, one can save on building and engineering costs of supporting structures. When building a new addition or new house, you can often downsize or reduce the number of roof support members because of metal roofing’s light weight. Goes over existing shingles As long as an existing roof surface and the decking beneath it are sound, flat, and free of rot, metal roofing can usually be applied over the top of an old layer of asphalt shingles. It is important to check local codes and manufacturer specifications before doing so. Of course, starting with a flat, sound sheathing by tearing off the old roof gives a much cleaner starting point, but leaving the old roof in place has some advantages: Adds additional sound insulation for rain and hail Leaves extra insulation barrier for increased energy efficiency Minimizes debris and disruption to your home and yard during a roofing project. Decreases the cost of Labor and haul off of stripping away and old roof. Faster installation A business-savvy roofing contractor in Longwood can install metal roofs quickly. If your roof is stripped off and a storm is on the way, metal roofing can shorten the installation process by a day or two and offer a critical time advantage. There are also considerable cost savings if you can ease and shorten the duration of a roof installation.