Metal Roof Facts

Metal Roof Facts
Metal Roof FactsQ: What’s the low-down on sheet metal roofs? I’ve been watching the increased use of this material and I’m considering it for my house. Is there any greater risk of lightning strikes?A: Sheet metal roofs are growing in popularity for a couple of reasons. Besides the fact that they're now made in a great many colours and styles, metal roofs are also much more reliable than they used to be years ago. The key advance is the popularization of a weatherproof screw for securing the metal. Nowadays they have a neoprene washer under the head and these last much longer than the lead-headed nails that were used years ago. I've never heard of any increased risk of lightning strikes with metal roofs, though there are a couple of things you should consider before making your choice. The first is roof shape. If your home has a simple roof, then metal makes a lot of sense. It can get tricky, however, to install metal on a roof with many valleys and dormers because of the angled cuts required. Also, you should be aware that the limiting factor in metal roof lifespan is often the factory finish applied. While a metal roof might go on shedding water almost indefinitely, that doesn’t really matter if the finish starts deteriorating and your house looks terrible. Consider the warranty period offered on the finish as an indication of useful roof life