5 Reasons to Consider a Metal Roof for Your Des Moines Home

If it’s time to replace your roof, you have more options than ever before. You may never have considered a metal roof for your home, but they are increasingly trendy among both new construction homes and roof replacement projects. Steel has many advantages over asphalt shingles, slate, or other roofing materials. Here are five reasons to consider stone-coated steel for your Des Moines-area roof replacement.

1. Steel Roofs Are Incredibly Durable

Steel roofs typically last a very long time— from 40–70 years on average, compared to the typical 12–20-year lifespan of asphalt shingles. Many metal roofing products come with warranties of up to 50 years! Steel roofs also handle the windstorms and hail that are common in Iowa much better than any other type of roofing material. They are able to withstand winds up to 120 mph because of both their strong material structure and their construction: the metal panels are installed in an interlocking, overlapping pattern and securely screwed down in an “x.” A steel roof is also highly resistant to fire; you may be surprised to learn it actually reduces your chances of damage to your roof or home in the event of a lightning strike (which may even save you money on home insurance policy premiums).

2. Metal Is Low-Maintenance

Unlike asphalt roofs, which require regular seasonal inspection, maintenance, repairs, and shingle replacement, steel roofing is virtually maintenance free. Residential metal roofing is made of 24- or 26-gauge rolled steel sheets covered with a metallic, rust-preventing coating and a baked-on paint finish. Steel roofing products can be coated with either zinc (referred to as galvanized steel) or a mixture of aluminum and zinc (called “galvalume” or “zincalume”). The aluminum/zinc mix, which is a little more expensive, typically lasts longer because it is more resistant to corrosion.

A properly installed metal roof creates a very strong protective barrier between your home and the outside environment, sealing out moisture so effectively that it prevents other home problems like attic condensation, mold, mildew, and rot. Plus, rain and snow slide more easily off of a steel roof's slick surface, so it’s less likely to form ice dams in the winter.

3. Metal Roofs Can Lower Your Energy Bills

You might worry that heat from your home will escape through the attic in the winter or that the roof will get very hot in the summer sun, raising your home’s temperature. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! In addition to providing secure adherence and strength, the overlapping installation pattern also creates a pocket of air that provides extra insulation to the home. This helps keep the cold out in the winter and the heat out in the summer. Plus, significantly less heat is admitted into homes with metal roofing because the coated metal actually reflects solar heat (unlike dark asphalt roofs, which absorb it). This can save you up to 40% on your cooling costs during the scorching Iowa summers.

The coating on steel roofs also defends homes against damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof, like most stone-coated steel roofing products, deflects or re-emits up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation. This can help reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12 °F, which helps reduce energy consumption in your own home and in your community. Many urban and suburban areas experience elevated temperatures compared to rural surroundings, a phenomenon known as an “urban heat island.” Even smaller cities, suburbs, and towns can be heat islands, which drives up your summer cooling costs and makes summers even more uncomfortable. Having a highly re-emissive roof helps reduce overall urban temperatures, which is good for your community, your comfort, and your budget.

4. A Stone-Coated Steel Roof Is Eco-Friendly.

In addition to saving energy (and money) on heating and cooling costs and reducing UV absorption, metal roofing products are incredibly environmentally friendly compared to other roofing choices. The longer lifespan translates into less waste over the long term compared to asphalt. (Over 10 million tons of asphalt roofing made of petroleum and fiberglass ends up in landfills every year!) Plus, many metal roofing products are themselves composed of recycled materials and can be easily recycled again at the end of their lifespan. (Hedrick’s stone-coated steel roofing is composed of up to 50% recycled material.) Additionally, metal roofs do not pollute the ground water like the granules in traditional asphalt shingles can.

5. Metal Roofs Can Be Installed in any Weather

Winter isn’t the best time to install a new asphalt shingle roof. Cold temperatures make the material brittle and interfere with effective adherence, making it difficult to get a watertight seal. If you’re replacing your roof in the winter, it’s an ideal time to consider a metal roof option. A metal roof can be installed in the winter without compromising quality in any way and won’t take a lot of extra time (or cost a lot of extra money) to install. Since metal roof products are designed to allow for expansion and contraction and are screwed down rather than nailed, cold outside temperatures don’t make any difference at all!

Need a new roof—now? The roofing professionals at Hedrick Construction will help you choose a metal roof that’s perfect for your home and have it expertly installed ASAP. Or, if you’re just planning ahead, we’re scheduling appointments for spring roof installation in Ames, Huxley, and Ankeny. We’ll provide you with a free estimate, help you decide on the roof that’s right for you, and schedule your spring roof replacement at a time that’s right for you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation!