The true cost of a metal roof vs. a traditional asphalt shingle roof is determined by not only comparing the retail cost of materials and installation, but by also factoring in such things as Life-Cycle Costs, Energy Savings, Insurance Costs and Effects on Home Resale Value.
Energy Savings with Cool Metal Roofing
More and more, homeowners are seeking out energy-saving building materials for their renovations and new homes, products that not only secure and improve structures but also provide long-term cost-cutting on energy bills while promoting environmental and economic sustainability in the greater community.
Among the array of possible upgrades, “cool metal roofing” easily answers this consumer demand offering a solid, attractive roofing solution available in multiple colors and profiles, for steep-slope and low-slope applications, that can save your household up to 40% of its annual energy costs.
As reported by the Cool Metal Roofing Coalition and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, installation of reflective metal roofing can save your home up to 40% in summer cooling energy costs while highly emissive metal roofs can reduce urban air temperatures by as much as 12°F.
The secret to metal roofing’s energy savings is in its variety of finishes. As shown above, the basic, unpainted metal roof will reflect much of the solar radiation usually absorbed in your attic and home by an asphalt roof. But, for homes in warmer climates, pre-painted or granular coated metal roofing systems not only reflect solar energy but also cool your home by re-emitting most of what solar radi-ation is absorbed. Where annual cooling loads dominate, a highly reflective and highly emissive painted or granular-coated metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation.
Additionally, most metal roofing, including standing seam, is composed of recycled material and can be installed directly onto an existing asphalt roof, reducing landfill waste and promoting quick instal-lation as well as decades of environmentally-sound, maintenance-free strength and beauty. Did you know white-painted metal roofing has the highest solar reflectance value of any roofing product available and can save you up to 40% of your annual energy bills?
Lower Your Insurance
If you live in Texas where extreme weather can happen- be it hail, heavy wind or fire, you should be aware of the availability of impact-resistant UL Standard 2218 tested metal roofing (classes 1 through 4) and fire-resistant Class A, B and C metal roofing. While important for the safety and security reasons alone, these quality metal roofing products may also earn you discounts on your homeowner’s insurance!