Steel Roofing is increasingly popular. Why?

[Stytooner]

I did install metal roofing (galvalume) over my existing shingles. No need for felt this way. You can install 1 by strips if you want. More cost, but if you have two or more layers of shingles, you probably need to do a tear off first. Your trusses or rafters will thank you for it. It may actually be code as well depending on pitch and zone.
After the most recent hurricanes, say the last 5 years or so, I have noticed that most of the house that faired well at the beach had metal roofs. Very few of the metal roofs were damaged. The ones that were looked they the may have sustained an impact from debris rather than simply being ripped off by wind and water.
I paid 99 cents a linear foot for mine. Be careful with cheap roofing. Mine is 26 gage. We have a local manufacturer here and he was running a special. No paint on mine. Simply galvanized, but I think it looks fine. He carries both 15 year coating and 30 year I think. That is for the coating. I think the steel is 50 year. Different prices and different styles and colors. Mine is the simple lap type. You see the standing seam type that need the machine to lock the seams more on commercial buildings than residential. I think it may be what the code calls for since the roofs are generally so much larger than what is in a home.

[cgallery]

I've noticed a number of posts indicating that the steel roofs save on heating/ac. I can't figure out why. If the roof is vented, they can a steel roof really supply this extra level of insulation? Isn't it kinda like insulating a 6" stud wall with expanding foam (great r-value), but then leaving the window in the wall open all the time?

[Pappy]

The A/C savings come from the reflection of the heat. Galvanized and the lighter colors are more beneficial. Even the lighter colors of shingled roofs absorb more heat than comporable colors of steel roofs.

[reddog552]

Metal Roof

Ironhat i am currently installing 80 sq. of metal roffing. Freedom metals in Roring Springs Pa. has all the materials you will need good prices too.814-224-4438

[Ken Massingale]

I've noticed a number of posts indicating that the steel roofs save on heating/ac. I can't figure out why. If the roof is vented, they can a steel roof really supply this extra level of insulation? Isn't it kinda like insulating a 6" stud wall with expanding foam (great r-value), but then leaving the window in the wall open all the time?

http://www.metalroofing.com/v2/conte...gy-savings.cfm

[cabinetman]

When I built my shed - 10' x 12', I was going to use the metal roofing until I ran across this roofing material at Lowes. I'm very pleased with the ease of installation and how inexpensive it was.

After going to their website and reading up on it, for my location it was perfect.

[Ken Massingale]

When I built my shed - 10' x 12', I was going to use the metal roofing until I ran across this roofing material at Lowes. I'm very pleased with the ease of installation and how inexpensive it was.

After going to their website and reading up on it, for my location it was perfect.

From their web site:
'Ondura sheets and tiles are made of a tough organic fiber core that's totally impregnated with asphalt, '

Looks like just another form of asphalt shingles, lack of resistance to storm damage, fire and no increase in insulation ability removes this material from the subject of this thread, metal roofing.

[cgallery]

http://www.metalroofing.com/v2/conte...gy-savings.cfm

I guess that answers why metal roofing can save on cooling costs. But how does it save on heating costs, too?

[Ken Massingale]

I guess that answers why metal roofing can save on cooling costs. But how does it save on heating costs, too?

This past winter was our first full winter with the metal roofing. Yes, we can document that our gas costs were less than previous winters and we had colder average temps than in previous years.
The installers put down ~1 1/2" square wood strips on the 1 layer of shingles that were in place and then installed the roofing to that, creating an air space between the roof and the metal roofing.
That's my simple explanation, maybe the engineers can explain the tech stuff.

[prlundberg]

I know steel siding is very vulnerable to hail damage. Does the thickness of the steel roofing prevent this? Or does it not really matter that much, seeing as it is a roof and not easily seen?

[cabinetman]

From their web site:
'Ondura sheets and tiles are made of a tough organic fiber core that's totally impregnated with asphalt, '

Looks like just another form of asphalt shingles, lack of resistance to storm damage, fire and no increase in insulation ability removes this material from the subject of this thread, metal roofing.

I didn't realize this thread is closed to those who chose not to use metal roofing for whatever reasons. or open for any suggestions. So, accept my apology.

[Sidenote]

If you live in an area with snow or ice be sure to put snow stops over any doors, walkways or valuable plantings. When the roof heats up a little it tends to make the snow and ice unload in huge chunks. At my work we've had landscaping get crushed to the ground when snow has come rushing off. Those channels in the roof make a perfect sledding hill for everything to come off at once!

[Ken Massingale]

I didn't realize this thread is closed to those who chose not to use metal roofing for whatever reasons. or open for any suggestions. So, accept my apology.

Goodness, why so sensitive?

I was simply pointing out that it is an asphalt product so that others only interested in metal roofing could choose not to spend the time visiting the link you posted.
Please accept my apology if my post came across in a manner not intended.

[cabinetman]

Goodness, why so sensitive?

I was simply pointing out that it is an asphalt product so that others only interested in metal roofing could choose not to spend the time visiting the link you posted.
Please accept my apology if my post came across in a manner not intended.

When I built my shed I planned to use metal roofing. After much research decided to use the Ondura product. In posting that link I thought it might benefit those with interest to have other products to consider in making their choice. A benefit of the wide experiences and locations of forum members present an excellent format and variety of information that could be helpful in making decisions.

[cgallery]

That's my simple explanation, maybe the engineers can explain the tech stuff.

That would be nice.

It seems that if a metal roof reflects light (and therefor heat) in the summer, it would do the same in the winter. If my asphalt shingles absorb heat in summer (and cost me more to cool my house), then they should absorb heat in the winter (and therefor save me money in heating my house).

I know that things like cavity insulation save money for cooling _AND_ heating. But, a metal roof is a little different. I suppose it could reflect back into the house, as well (sorta like a Thermos keeps things cold AND hot). But the problem with that is, there is sheathing and drywall under the metal roof.

I don't get it. Someone enlighten me.