Metal roofing is not new. In fact, it can be found on notable American buildings dating as far back as themid-1700s. While most historical uses of metal roofing were on commercial buildings, technologicaladvances have made it a popular choice for residential roofing as well. Its popularity extends beyond itstrendiness. Home and building owners who choose to build or resurface their roofs with metal will seethe following benefits:
-Longevity-Style and functionality-Sustainability-Easy installation with a qualified regional manufacturer
First and foremost, metal roofs can last up to 50 years—about three times longer than other roofing materials. This is due, in part, to the properties of metal, but it also comes from the resiliency of the paint finish. Metal roofs finished with high-performance coatings like polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) offer a range of colors that resist weather, fading and chalking to merge exceptional strength with impeccable style.
With these coatings, metal roofs can withstand heavy snow, hailstorms, wildfires and winds up to 120 miles per hour (equal to an F2 tornado). Because metal roofing also resists UV damage and sheds snow and ice quickly, this lifespan does not change with the roof’s pitch, meaning the roof’s finish will continue to dazzle decades after installation.
In addition to having multiple profile options, metal roofing from Drexel Metals is available in more than 30 standard colors that can outlast even the toughest weather. No other roofing material can offer home and building owners greater design flexibility. However, this color range is more than an aesthetic consideration. It can also provide tangible energy benefits. For roofs in sunny areas, a Drexel Metals Energy Star rated reflective metal roof can reduce the amount of heat gained from the sun, saving energy costs with a naturally cooler building. Likewise, darker roofs can help absorb heat to provide quicker snow and ice shedding.
Metal roofs are also perfect for green living initiatives, like solar panels and harvesting rainwater. That said, they are environmentally responsible even before installation. Made with recycled materials and 100 percent recyclable after use, long-lasting metal roofs can help reduce the billions of pounds of roofing waste generated in the U.S. every year.
Additionally, metal roofs are, on average, 50% lighter than an asphalt shingle roof, and 75% lighter than concrete tile, fiber cement shakes and slate. This not only increases the range of buildings that can incorporate metal roofing, it also translates to a smaller carbon footprint because these materials are more efficient to ship. Drexel Metals further increases shipping efficiency with a regional manufacturing program, which allows for the shipment of coils and flat sheets that can be manufactured into panels on site. This increases the amount of material that can be shipped per truck.
Drexel Metals’ regional manufacturing program, which has certified installers in all markets, speeds up installation by integrating the entire supply chain from the steel or aluminum mill to the installed roof. Authorized Manufacturers fabricate panels on site, sidelining potential delays that could happen at any point in this process—from material shortages to manufacturing backlogs to snags in shipping schedules.
On-demand fabrication also benefits building owners. Regional manufacturers can create any roofing profile on-site, so owners never have to wait for a specific style to arrive. When these panels are fabricated on-site, they also mitigate potential delays caused by improper storage or damage incurred during shipping.
Further, because coils and flat sheets can be shipped more efficiently than prefabricated panels, it cuts down time waiting on multiple shipments and time spent coordinating material storage, which is especially beneficial to projects in congested or otherwise difficult delivery areas.
The above are just a few advantages of metal roofing. As with any choice in construction or remodeling, building owners and contractors should carefully weigh their options to ensure they make the best decision for their specific project. That said, metal roofs are durable and long-lasting, which also contributes to their eco-friendliness.
Drexel Metals’ regional manufacturing program circumvents many supply-chain issues, ensuring fast and easy installation of any available profile styles and colors. In addition, Drexel Metals offers industry-leading warranties like the owner-transferable 35-Year Gold Standard Warranty that covers labor, adhesion, chalk and fade protection, which gives homeowners peace of mind that their roofs will withstand even the toughest weather.
