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What You Need to Know About Metal Roofing
September 26, 2011
Today's tip is about considering metal roof systems for long-term roofing needs.
If you haven't looked at metal roof systems in a while, they might be a good option to meet your long-term roofing needs, as well as contribute to your sustainability goals.
Metal roof systems cost approximately 20 to 25 percent more than a standard roofing assembly, according to Rob Haddock, a noted metal roofing expert. But if the building owner is planning to hold on to a building long-term, many metal roofs will last as much as 2 to 3 times longer than a traditional roof. Therefore, that more expensive first cost is more than recouped over the life-cycle of the roof.
Additionally, metal roofing's maintenance needs are less costly than a traditional, say experts. Annual maintenance costs for most non-metal commercial roofing systems run between 5 and 10 cents per square foot. The maintenance costs for metal roofing systems typically run 1 to 2 cents per square foot. For a 10,000-square-foot roof, that difference can save the building owner between $8,000 and $16,000 over 20 years.
Metal roof systems contribute to sustainability goals as well. Because new specially formulated paint pigments can reflect the sun's rays, metal roofing in even darker colors can help save building owners on air conditioning costs and reduce the urban heat island effect. Metal roofs are made from recycled material and can be recycled at the end of their useful life, reducing landfill waste.
For these reasons, metal roofing is gaining some market traction quickly. According to a study by the Metal Construction Association and the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, in the commercial sector, metal now accounts for 22.1 percent of the roofing market, up from 18.8 percent in 2006.