Steel cladding is becoming a very popular roofing option and for good
reason. This durable roofing material is often referred to as ‘forever roofing’
as it lasts so long. There are certainly pros and cons to the metal roofing
debate, however, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you make your
decision.
The Benefits of Steel Cladding
Depending on who does your roof, it could be guaranteed for anywhere
from 20 up to 50 years. That’s how resistant this material is to any outside
damage. In fact, most steel cladding lasts around 60 years, a good three or
four times more than your average roof. Here are a few more benefits of this
unique roofing material:
Ideal for shedding snow and rain: Snow slides right off the metal,
making it hard for anything to build up to the point where it might be
dangerous to the structure of your home.
It’s lightweight: When you compare the average weight of roofing tiles
or shingles, metal roofing is remarkably light. This means the support needed
to hold the roof up can be downsized, saving you money.
It’s fire resistant: Metal doesn’t burn near as easy as wood, so if you
use steel cladding as your roofing material, it’s far less likely to catch
fire. If there is a bonfire or forest fire, sparks landing on the roof will likely
not cause any damage, since any spark or coal will be extinguished rapidly
without fuel. That being said, the wood below the roof could catch if things
are too hot.
Fast installation: Metal roofing can be put up rapidly. In general,
you’ll have one to three-foot-wide panels that can be quickly set into place.
Less labour time means big savings.
Metal cladding sounds pretty great, but don’t forget that there’s a
downside to everything.
The Cons of Steel Cladding
While metal roofing is long lasting and sturdy, it does tend to cost
more than the average roof. That may be worth it, of course, considering all
the benefits. However, there are a few other downsides to metal cladding.
It’s noisy: Rain, animals, and hailstorms will all be terribly noisy
under a metal roof. For some people, this isn’t a big deal, but for others,
it’s a deal breaker. You can dampen the noise a bit by using specific materials
between the roof and the ceiling, such as solid plywood and special insulation
designed to reduce sound.
It can dent: Hailstones and rocks can actually dent your roof. This
won’t actually affect the functionality of the roof, but it can look
unpleasant. However, steel cladding is far less likely to dent than some of the
softer metals.
It’s hard to replace: If you want to replace part of the roof, you have
to take off a big panel to do so.
Do you feel steel cladding is right for you? Contact us today to learn
more.
