by United Roofing MN | Jul 28, 2011
Metal Roofing – A Roof You Will Never Have To Worry About Again Asphalt can require re-roofing every 12 to 20 years, with the average age of roofing replaced in the U.S. being only 17 years. That is because asphalt roofing, being made of oil impregnated paper or fiberglass, begins to deteriorate as soon as you put it on your roof. Just normal weather and the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays add to an asphalt roof’s deterioration. A metal roof, however, will not decompose and can withstand just about everything Mother Nature throws at it. The Durability and Longevity of Metal Roofs Roofing materials, such as wood shingles and tile, have varying degrees of weather related problems. Wood shingles dry out, cracking and curling over a relatively short time. Recent wood shingle and shake roofs have needed replacement before twenty years. Concrete tile roofs have experienced problems with freeze/thaw cycles, especially in northern climates. Both of these products are outlasted by metal roofing that retains its good looks, whether that be shake, tile or vertical seam panels. Long-Term Value of a Metal Roof A metal roof is a premium roof system that adds value to your most important investment-your home. Initially, a metal roof will likely cost more than an asphalt roof, comparable to some other systems like tile or shake, and less than slate. While these premium roof systems look good initially, they breakdown over time and wind up needing to be replaced. Meanwhile, if you had installed a metal roof you would have avoided that hassle and would still be enjoying the protection it offers you and your...
by United Roofing MN | Jul 26, 2011
Metal Roofing Materials Now Come In A Variety Of Options When you tell people you are considering a metal roof, many people get the mental image of the farm house with an unsightly tin roof hovering over its barn. In the past years, metal roofing materials have made incredible forward progress to combine their extraordinary benefits as a building material with the eye catching appeal the standard homeowner is after. No longer just a solution for industrial buildings and barns, metal roofs now can be found in a variety of styles and colors. Believe it or not, metal roofing materials are now available that replicate many of the traditional styles we’ve grown familiar with. Metal roofing can be purchased that duplicates the appearance of a slate or shingle roof. Some manufacturers have even gone as far as to embed their metal “shingles” with sand and stone, lending them to the most authentic look possible. There are metal shakes that replicate the wooden shake roofs from the olden days and even clay tile to give an authentic Mediterranean or Spanish image. There are other designs available as well that can only be achieved with a metal roof, such as a standing seam metal roof that is popular with many architects due to its contemporary design characteristics. Why a Metal Roof? It’s the most economical choice- Lasts a lifetime Beauty and durability that will last 2-3 times longer than an asphalt roof Maintenance free- No need to shovel off snow Helps increase your home’s re-sale value Many styles, patterns, and designs Save money on heating and cooling bills Less weight on...
by United Roofing MN | Jul 25, 2011
High Wind- and Impact-Resistant Asphalt Roofing Shingles Between 1991 and 1995, wind and hail resulted in an average of $8 billion in insurance payouts each year, and wind and hail damage to roofs comprises a significant portion of this cost. Hail damage to asphalt shingles may include severe granule loss, material loss at shingle edges, and penetration. Wind can also create serious roof damage-it is documented that roof material failure was the most widespread type of damage from Hurricane Hugo (Manning, Billy R. and Gary G. Nichols. 1991. “Hugo Lessons Learned.” In Hurricane Hugo One Year Later, Benjamin A. Sill and Peter R. Sparks, Editors. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers). Designed to Resist Damage From Impact and High Winds New shingle products are designed to resist damage from impact and high winds. They meet the most stringent standards for impact resistance (Class 4) set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and wind resistance set by UL and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International). Several manufacturers offer asphalt shingles designed to resist the effects of severe weather such as wind and impact from flying debris or hail. Different proprietary methods are used to keep granules attached to the shingle, to prevent shingle breaking during impact, and to keep shingles attached to the sheathing during high winds. UL 2218 classifies the resistance of roofing products to impact damage. In the test, steel balls are directed at roof samples, and damage is observed. Products that receive a Class 4 rating from UL 2218 are the most resistive to hail damage. Some major insurance companies are offering homeowner premium discounts...
by United Roofing MN | Jul 19, 2011
Minnesota Residential Metal Roofing Contractor Minneapolis MN Valuable Investment While the initial cost for a premium metal roof is higher than most other roofing materials, you’ll save money in the long run. A metal roof can last a lifetime, whereas materials like asphalt require reproofing every 10 to 20 years. A metal roof can also increase the resale value of your home. In some states, a metal roof can even lower your homeowner’s insurance by 35%. Long Lasting The average life of a non-metal roof is 17 years. Asphalt can require re-roofing every 10 to 20 years, often sooner. But a metal roofing system offers unmatched durability, lasting 2 to 3 times longer. Chances are good that a metal roof will be the last roof you ever install on your home. With metal roofing, you need not worry. Longevity is one of the top reasons consumers report choosing metal roofing for their homes. When configured and installed properly by a Metal Roofing Contractor, metal roofing can last as long as fifty years or more, requiring very little maintenance and looking beautiful all the while. But it isn’t just the dependability that people love about long-living metal roofing; it’s the low life cycle cost. Few homeowners realize until after the fact but metal roofing can actually cost as little or less than asphalt roofing. Since asphalt roofing needs to be replaced 2 – 4 times as often as metal roofing, you really need to multiply not only the initial cost of asphalt roofing materials but also the cost of asphalt roof repairs and re-installation man hours to compare to the...
by United Roofing MN | Jul 14, 2011
What Type Of Material Is Best For Your Home Roof Comparisons There are many types of roofing materials—some of which are brand new with a range of pluses and negatives. You can re-roof with the same type of roofing material that you currently have or investigate alternatives. Some materials are environmentally friendly and some are long lasting or low maintenance. And who doesn’t love low maintenance? Are You Thinking About A New Roof? Wondering what type of material might be best for your home? Before making your choice, consider the life-cycle cost of your roofing material. Some materials, though much more expensive, require less maintenance and have a longer life expectancy than others. An asphalt composition roof might last just 20 years whereas a metal roof might last more than 50. Consider both the current and potential value of your home, and its age when calculating whether a roofing material is actually “too expensive.” It might just be more cost-effective in the long run. The following table describes some of the roofing choices available. Roof Type House Style (Advantages and Disadvantages) Composition (asphalt shingles) Can be used on any house from contemporary to historic. False thatched roof with the wrapped roof edge on 1920s Tudor style. inexpensive ranges from low-cost 3-tab shingle to architectural shingles with extra durability and style many colors, types, and manufacturers suitable for most residential applications easy to repair fire resistant relatively short life-span (15–30 years) scars easily when hot subject to mildew and moss environmentally unfriendly Wood shingles or shakes Bungalows, ranch, contemporary, cottage, historic natural look weathering to a soft grey offers some insulation...
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