Heating costs seem to go up every year. If you dread turning on your furnace because of soaring bills, you should think about replacing your home’s roof with stone-coated steel roofing. This long-lasting roofing material can help save energy—and save you money!
How Does a Metal Roof Save in the Winter?
In residential applications, metal roofing is installed over a solid plywood deck, just like shingles. Modern stone-coated steel roofs are installed in large panels that overlap each other. Between the panels, a pocket of air is created, which provides an extra layer of insulation to your home as well as helping to deaden any sound from the elements. All the additional layers between the metal roof and your living space, including decking underlayment, moisture barriers, attic insulation, and a sheetrock ceiling, help keep warm air in your home and cold winter air out. Preventing warm air from leaking out of your home through the roof allows your home to stay at a more consistent, comfortable temperature while running your furnace less.
Stone-Coated Steel Also Saves Energy on Cooling
The insulating properties of metal roofs are also beneficial in the summer, when they can help prevent your cool, conditioned air from leaking out of your home. But a stone-coated steel roof can do more than just keep your air conditioned air where it’s most useful—it can actually naturally reduce the temperature of your home.
When heat from the sun hits a roof, either the heat is absorbed by the roof or is reflected and reradiated out into the environment and away from the home. While a common misconception is that a metal roof would be hotter by conducting heat into the home, metal roofing actually reflects heat from the sun rather than absorbing it like a dark asphalt material would. 30% less heat is admitted into homes with this type of roofing. The coating on stone-coated steel roofing also defends the home against ultraviolet radiation.
This article from Metal Roofing Alliance breaks how you can reduce energy costs with a steel roof.
Saving Even More with Metal Roofing
Metal roofs are excellent at keeping your home safe and secure—a priority not only for you but also for your insurance provider. In most cases, a metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather, including hail, high winds, and heavy snow, with minimal damage. It effectively seals out moisture to prevent problems like mold, mildew, and rot. Surprisingly, your metal roof may also be safer from lightning strikes, since metal is non-flammable material! (Read our blog post, “What to Do If Your House Gets Struck by Lighting,” to learn more.) Many insurers offer premium discounts as a result of the lower risks associated with metal roofing and the reduced need for repairs.
From an environmental perspective, stone-coated steel roofing saves energy and resources in the long term. Steel roofs typically last from 40–70 years on average, and they usually come with a warranty of up to 50 years. Instead of replacing asphalt shingles every 20 years or more, a steel roof can last a lifetime. This longevity not only saves money and reduces waste but can also enhance the resale value of your home.
Is a Stone-Coated Steel Roof Right for You?
Consult with an experienced Des Moines roofing contractor for an evaluation of whether a metal roof is right for your home. Call Hedrick Construction’s roofing professionals to schedule an inspection and get a free estimate to replace your Ames area roof with EMCO steel roofing or other quality stone-coated steel roofing products.
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