Commercial Metal Roofing – This Is What You Need To Know About Commercial Metal Roofs
Are you a business owner or commercial property owner looking to install or replace your commercial roof with a metal roof? You’re probably worried about how much of a great investment it is, and how to ensure that your investment is worth it after all.
This post will help you navigate the world of commercial metal roofs, and help you to choose the right roof that is strong, durable, and will protect your property for a long time. Let’s start at the very beginning.
What Is a Commercial Metal Roof?
The first thing that stands out in its name is the fact that a commercial metal roof is made from metals, specifically stylized metal sheets. The entire roofing system is made of overlapping shingles or panels that are securely joined to an open framing or a solid substrate.
The most popular commercial metal roof amongst most business owners is the standing seam metal roof, and this is probably due to its beautiful, sleek, modern appearance.
Standing seam metal roofs are constructed with concealed slips or flanges, hence their nickname ‘concealed fastener’ roofs. The panels of standing seam roofs come in so many styles and designs that are created through the exploration of different seam connections and mounting techniques.
It doesn’t matter the shape or size of your building; whether round or steep, square or shallow, commercial metal roofs can be designed to fit that surface and cover it properly.
Why Should You Choose a Commercial Metal Roof?
We don’t expect you to decide on a commercial metal roof just because a ton of other commercial building owners have done the same, although that goes to tell you something about the quality and reputation of these roofs.
However, we will tell you why you should choose these roofs for your building after due consideration.
First, metal roofs have a long lifespan, which is perfect for commercial buildings because they last for a very long time. On average, metal roofs will last for between 40 and 70 years, especially with the right material and maintenance practice. Even better, commercial metal roofs have a warranty of between 30 and 50 years.
Don’t be discouraged by the initial high cost of metal roofs because they make up for it over the years and save you the cost of frequent roof repairs and replacements.
Metal roofs are also energy efficient in addition to their lifespan, so you can expect to save energy costs as well while you’re at it. These roofs reflect heat and light, which ensures that you stay cool in the summer. In the winter, their great insulation keeps you up to 15 degrees warmer than an average shingle roof would. Overall, you could save as much as 25% on energy bills when you install a commercial metal roof.
When it comes to style, these roofs are also packing it. They deliver a sleek style and a modern look to your commercial building, and they come in hundreds of options for colors and finishing. In fact, you can get a custom color for your building’s roof, as well as the style and shape, and make it stand out compared to the others.
How to Choose the Right Metal Roofing Contractor?
The expertise and experience of a metal roofing contractor go a long way to determining how sound the installation will be, as well as how long it will last. This is why you should only work with a qualified metal roofing contractor who has gained a lot of experience on the job of metal roofing installations and repairs.
One reason you must not settle for an average roofing contractor is that metal roofs are susceptible to temperature fluctuations, which leads them to contract and expand. If this isn’t handled properly, you might lose your roof to the changes of the weather.
So, what are the qualities of a metal roofing contractor that you should work with?
- • First, he must be licensed.
- • He should also be bonded and insured to ensure that you’re safe, in case anything were to go wrong during or after the installation.
- • This commercial roofing contractor should be familiar with the workings of staged roofing projects. He should be skilled at panel tear-offs and installations.
- • You need to check his references to be sure that people can vouch for similar commercial metal roof constructions that went well.
- • Your roofing contractor should also know how to handle insurance claims
Save money, time, and energy by working with the right commercial roofing contractor. SW Commercial Roofing is available to help with your roofing needs, answer your questions, and send our expert to conduct an assessment of your roofing project and send you an obligation-free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Metal Roofing
We’ll be answering some of the most-asked questions about commercial metal roofing to further guide you.
Will metal roofs draw in heat and increase my energy costs?
Quite the opposite. Instead of absorbing, metal roofs will reflect most of the heat and energy from the sun because of the special pigment contained in modern roof panels that makes it release heat absorbed throughout the day while reflecting the sun’s energy.
They will not cause heat, but will rather reduce your energy costs spent on cooling by up to 20%.
Are metal roofs more prone to hail damage?
No, they aren’t. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, metal roofs are less likely to be destroyed by hail compared to conventional asphalt shingles. They can even be hit by golf ball-sized hailstones and only suffer some cosmetic damage.
Do metal roofs attract lightning strikes?
There is no difference between the odds of a lightning strike hitting other roofs than there is of the strike hitting a metal roof, so the material doesn’t add to the risk. On the positive side, when there is a lightning strike, metal roofs won’t catch fire because they are not combustible.
Can you install metal roofs over existing shingles?
Yes, you can. You can save expenses associated with roof tear-off and get a roof that lasts long and also delivers high performance when you install a metal roof over existing shingles.
It is important to note that it is sometimes necessary to remove the existing roof if the situation calls for it.
Does metal roofing stand up well to adverse weather conditions?
Compared to other roofing options such as shingles, metal roofing resists harsh weather elements.
Metal roofs are resistant to fire and hail, and also hold their own against strong winds. The strength of metal roofing is recognized by many insurance companies, hence they offer discounts to buildings that have metal roofs.
Can you attach solar panels to a metal roof?
Yes, you can. Solar panels work very well on metal roofs. We have great expertise in solar roofing in combination with commercial metal roofing. Feel free to contact us for a free estimate.