Metal Roofing for Beginners – Part I: Intro to Metal Roofing

Not too long ago, metal roofs were mostly found atop barns. People found the corrugated sheets of metal roofing so ugly that no one would even consider installing them on their homes. However, things really do change over time, and this is particularly true when it comes to metal roofing. Over the years, metal has enjoyed an amazing turnaround that has led to its current popularity with many homeowners.

In this post, we’ll discuss how metal came to be one of the hottest roofing materials today, why you should consider it for your next roofing project, and how to take care of a metal roof so that it lasts its maximum expected lifespan or more.

What is Metal Roofing?

Metal roofing is basically a roof system made from pieces, panels, or tiles of metal. It is available in countless colors, styles, and textures. The material is popular because time has proven that it can provide reliable protection against the elements and, because it reflects away hot and harmful UV rays, it is also one of the most energy-efficient roofing options available on the market today.

A Brief Look at the History of Metal Roofing

The Romans have been using metal roofs since as early as 27 B.C., although the material commonly used during the time was mainly copper. The corrugated sheets of galvanized steel that we are accustomed to today, on the other hand, were first introduced in the early 1800s.

The material’s popularity grew quickly in many different countries, including Australia, the United States, New Zealand, and India. However, the material was, at first, mainly used for industrial and commercial buildings, which would explain why metal roofing was to be found mostly on barns.

Myths and Misconceptions

During the early days, homeowners were reluctant to use metal on their homes for one main reason: the lack of visual appeal. Several myths about metal roofing didn’t help much either: One such misconception was that lightning is attracted to metal more than it is to roofs made of other materials. Today though, we know better, and we also know that even if a metal roof were to be hit by lightning, the electricity would be spread throughout a wide area, causing no damage.

Another myth that’s been debunked is that metal roofs are noisy, especially when it rains. Surprisingly, metal roofs actually absorb noise, particularly when they are installed by high-quality experts.

There are more metal roofing myths, but fortunately, people seem to have forgotten most them by now. This is evidenced by the growing number of homeowners who have discovered the many advantages of the material, and now choose to have metal roofing installed in their homes. In the second part of this series, we’ll take a closer look at those advantages, so stay tuned!