Inspecting metal roofs help you rest assured you won’t have to replace your roof in a few years, but that doesn’t mean it’s not exposed to external damage due to weather or other issues. Sometimes, you don’t know your roof is damaged until it’s too late to fix.
The problem with not noticing the damage in metal roofs is they will keep worsening over time. How can you know if your metal roofing systems are damaged? Hire metal roofing inspection services!
Here, you can find all the information about metal roofs and inspection services! If you are looking forward to hiring any roof-related services in Austin, TX, call Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR, TX!
You can contact us by calling (512)-820-6505.
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What Is the Biggest Problem with Metal Roofs?
All roofing materials have pros and cons, so you need to set your priorities to know if metal roofs’ benefits are enough to overcome their drawbacks. If you don’t care that much about aesthetics, for example, you can get a metal roofing solution that is not that visually appealing, but that lasts years.
Metal roofs have minor issues you can ignore or get used to. Nonetheless, three drawbacks represent a massive issue for people using this roofing material for their houses.
These are the three main problems with installing a metal roofing system:
Affordability
Whether you want commercial or residential metal roofing, metal is not an inexpensive material. Metal roofs can be up to three times more expensive than others, so you should only buy them if you have the budget.
Naturally, this comes with some advantages. These roofs are way more durable than other roofing materials, so you won’t have to replace them in the short term.
Metal roofs are only a wise purchase if you plan on staying in your house for many years since you won’t see short-term benefits in your investment.
Noisiness
Noisiness is one of the most significant issues surrounding installing metal roofs if heavy rain and hail storms are common in the area. Raindrops make a lot of noise when they fall on metal roofs, and they won’t let you or anyone in your house sleep, let alone focus.
Metal roofs can be less noisy depending on the type of decking you use for their installation, but it’s difficult to escape this problem completely. You can add more attic insulation to your roof to reduce noise, but that will make the installation process more expensive.
Color Inconsistency
You won’t see this issue unless you need to repair metal roofing. It’s challenging to find the type of metal that explicitly matches the one contractors used during the installation, so many metal roofs have color inconsistencies after getting a repair.
This won’t be a problem if you don’t care about aesthetics.
Is Metal More Durable Than Other Roofing Materials?
Sheet metal roofs are more durable than many other commercial or residential roofing materials, making them popular among people looking forward to making a long-term investment in their house. Nonetheless, they are not the only metal roof material available.
These are some of the most durable materials you can use for your new roof:
Metal Roofing
Sheet metal manufacturers offer different types of metal roofs, all durable. If properly installed, your metal roof will last 40-70 years, but standing seam metal roofing systems can even last more.
However, installing standing seam metal roofs is more expensive than installing a regular metal roof for your property. Flat roofs are more affordable and give you the benefits you would get in any sheet metal roof.
Shingles Roofing
Asphalt shingles roofing can last up to 30 years, but it may last less if you live in a place with severe weather conditions. This type of roofing will stay with you less than a metal roof, but it still has a decent lifespan.
Unless you care too much about aesthetics, we recommend buying a sheet metal alternative over a shingle roof.
Wood Roofing
Buying wood roofing gives you a similar lifespan to a metal roof, but depending on the type of wood you go for, this roof can last even more time in neutral weather conditions. These are the lifespans of the most durable wood roofing systems:
- Cedar roof: 30-50+ years
- Wallaba roof: 35-60+ years
- Teak roof: 50-80 years
Clay Tiles
Roofs made of clay tiles can last from 30 to 60 years, which is excellent for its price since it’s one of the most affordable roofing materials on the market. This roofing system is highly vulnerable to impact, though.
Slate Roofing
Slate roofing may be the longest-lasting solution since a slate roof can last longer than a metal roof. This material has a 50-200 year lifespan, so you won’t have to replace it in your entire life unless an external issue breaks or deteriorates it.
Nonetheless, slate roofing is even more expensive than metal roofing and asphalt shingles alternatives.
Green Roofing
Although it’s not as common as metal roofing, green roofs are excellent for people who want to care for the environment and go for an eco-friendly option. Installing green roofs is not expensive, but you have to water them daily to ensure they don’t lose their shine over time.
Not all roof inspectors are used to dealing with green roofing, so ask a certified roof inspector if they can handle your case.
Solar Roofing
Like green roofing, solar roofing offers benefits you won’t get with other materials. Solar panels produce renewable energy for your house, saving you money on energy bills. However, filling the entire roof with solar panels will only be worth it.
If you want a material with a high lifespan, it’s better if you go for a metal roof, though. Solar roofs last from 20 to 30 years.
Rolled Roofing
Rolled roofing has the lowest lifespan in this list since you will only have it for 5-15 years and no more than that. However, people often get this option over metal roofing alternatives since it’s more affordable and doesn’t need you to install an underlayment.
What Does Commercial Roof Inspection Include?
When you hire inspection services for a metal roof, you want the contractor you call to find any problem your new roof may be suffering from and give you a cost-effective solution. Most metal roofs get leaks, for example.
If that’s the case, the roofing contractor you hire will check where you find water leaking to look for a trustworthy source. This means looking for cracks, blisters, uplifted seams, or ponding water.
Leak issues regarding metal panels are uncommon, but they can still happen. Contractors will also take a few samples of your metal roofing solution to ensure it has no problems they can’t see at the time.
Doing that will tell them the roofing layers in your house, materials in the substrate, roof saturation, and roof moisture. After a visual inspection and taking samples of your roof, metal roofing contractors will give you a detailed report of everything they saw and their take on what you should do to address the problem.
If a metal roofing issue comes from an external problem covered by insurance, you can use that report to prove what happened to your metal roof to the insurance company.
Commercial metal roof inspections often take from 30 minutes to one hour.
How Do I Estimate the Cost of a Metal Roof?
The best way to calculate the cost of standing seam metal roofing is to know the price of a metal panel. Now that you know that, measure how many metal panels per square foot you need to get the entire roof.
Most metal roofing solutions cost between $5,000 and $14,700.
How Often Should I Hire Metal Roofing Inspection Services?
You should hire metal roof inspection services often, as not doing it would only waste your time and money. Call a contractor to inspect your metal roof twice yearly, and you won’t see any significant problems.
Is It Better to Get a Roof Replacement or a Roof Repair?
Everything depends on your problem. If your standing seam metal roofing solution only has a small leak or issue you can handle without using that much money, you should get a minor repair. However, sometimes standing seam metal roofs are beyond help as they get closer to the end of their lifespan.
In that case, fixing them would only be losing money since they would deteriorate over time. Consider getting a replacement if your metal roof is close to its lifespan.
Bottom Line – Hire Metal Roofing Inspection Services in Austin, TX!
Metal roof inspection services may seem a nuisance, but requesting them will help you save a lot of money in the long run. Do you want to hire a roofing contractor who offers metal roof inspection services? We are the ones for you!
Call Austin Roofing & Water Damage | WDR if you need help with a metal roof in Austin, TX!