Metal roofing is finally overtaking shingle as the most popular option in the Austin area!
In neighborhoods across the country, from Florida to Washington, shingle roofing has been the prevailing choice for homeowners throughout the 20th century. Shingle roofing offers a traditional appearance that many people associate with home. Shingles are easy to work with and last around 20 years in Central Texas with appropriate maintenance.At Longhorn Roofing, we helped introduce metal roofing to Austin more than 30 years ago. At that time, most people associated metal roofs with barns, grain silos, and other farm buildings. Drive through the agricultural heartland of Texas and you’ll see plenty of examples....but none of them hold a candle to today’s residential metal roofs!
If your roof is starting to show its age and you’re thinking about roof replacement in Austin, consider the great benefits of a metal roof. It just may be the best investment you can make in your home.
So, why would you choose metal roofing over shingles? Here are seven reasons:
1.) Longer Service Life
Roofing manufacturers often claim their products will last 30 years, but here in the Austin area, it’s more like 20. Severe weather and high heat can age a roof before its time. Not so when it comes to metal: The average metal roof lasts 50 years and can certainly last longer.
2.) Reduced Maintenance
With a shingle roof, it’s wise to get a roof inspection every single year. These inspections should come before storm season so you have time for any roof maintenance or roof repair you might need. With a metal roof, it’s safe to skip a year in your inspections – most damage to a metal roof is just cosmetic.
3.) Fewer Weather Woes
From wind to rain to hail, metal roofing stands up against everything Mother Nature can throw at it and then some. It’s highly resistant against unwanted growths like mold and mildew, too. And if you live in a fire zone, you can rest assured that an errant spark won’t set your roof alight!
4.) Less Ice Damming
In the winter, ice damming can cause snow to accumulate on your roof. With no way for snowmelt to escape, a repeated cycle of melting and freezing can be devastating. Metal roofs are designed to fight this problem, so you’ll have less to worry about when winter rolls around.
5.) Significant Energy Savings
A metal roof has the potential to reflect about 50% of the solar radiation that strikes it, making it even more powerful than the most reflective shingles. This keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. That can amount to hundreds of dollars in savings as your HVAC system works less.
6.) Better for the Environment
All in all, metal roofing is better for the environment than the alternative. You’ll use less electricity and keep your home at a more comfortable temperature. Metal roofs generate less waste over time (like damaged shingles). And when it’s finally time to replace your roof, the metal panels can be recycled.
7.) Insurers Love Metal Roofs
Everyone needs home insurance, but insurers are looking more closely at roofs these days. You may find they’re wary of a shingle roof that gets to be ten years old or more, leading to higher premiums. On the other hand, insurers understand that a metal roof means a home is safer and less costly to maintain.
If you’re intrigued by the potential of metal roofing in Austin, don’t go to just any local Austin roofer. A proven history in metal roofing is essential to ensure it’s installed correctly. Contact Longhorn Roofing to learn more or get started.
Image credit: romaset
