If you are planning to upgrade your roofing to metal, you might be concerned about how long it will last. They do have a reputation for their excellent longevity. But how much is that? To put your curiosity to rest here I’ll be talking about actually how long does a metal roof last.
Depending on the type of metal used, a metal roof typically lasts at least 50 years and 100 years. Proper installation, maintenance, and even the color of your roof can play an important part in how long the metal roof will last.
If you are in the market for a metal roof, this article will hopefully help you clear out all of your confusion. In this article, I will talk about all the necessary information regarding the longevity of a metal roof. Furthermore, I will also talk about some things to maintain that can increase the longevity of your metal roof. Read through the article to know more.
Metal Roofing Longevity Based on Their Types
Primarily there are five types of materials for metal roofing. These are Zinc Roofing, Tin Roofing, Aluminum Roofing, Copper Roofing, and Steel Roofing. Each of them has unique features and their own average lifespan.
Copper Roofing (50-100 years average lifespan)
Many people believe that a copper roof is the best roofing system available. Both in terms of appearance and durability. To keep copper from rotting, you don’t have to rely on paint finishes. Thus, this makes it a popular choice. Furthermore, you can also use copper in smaller homes due to its lightweight nature.
When it comes to copper, how long does a metal roof last? The least you can expect is around 50 years. The longest period is 100 years. Copper roofing develops a patina over time, indicating corrosion. However, this blue-green layer is protective in that it helps to waterproof your roof even more.
Zinc Roofing (60-100 years average lifespan)
The lifespan of a zinc roof is similar to that of a copper roof. That is, it also lasts in the range of 60-100 years. However, a clean environment is required to ensure the longevity of your metal roof. A zinc roof resists corrosion. You can also install zinc roofing on top of the existing roof.
A zinc roof is 90-95 percent recyclable, making it a sustainable product. The most amazing aspect of a zinc roof is that it self-heals. As a result, there is no need for you to worry about leaks or hiring a roofing contractor if you observe scratches on your metal roof.
Aluminum Roofing (50 years average lifespan)
Aluminum is known for being the lightest metal roofing material. Steel is more susceptible to corrosion than aluminum. Elastomeric coatings are required to waterproof aluminum roofing. Aluminum metal roofs usually have a long lifespan, around 50 years or more.
Another advantage of this aluminum roof is that it saves energy. It is made to help you save money on electricity and keep your home cool during the summer. The aluminum metal roof reflects the sun’s light and heat. Because of its lightweight nature, installing an aluminum roof shouldn’t take long.
Tin Roofing (40-50 years average lifespan)
Tin Roofing is comparatively lesser-known. This is because there are better options to select from. Furthermore, it can get very noisy during rainy days.
Although you can use roof underlayment materials to cancel out the noise, it is not the best selection for your roofing, considering that there are better options currently available. Although it has a high life span, it lasts almost 40-50 years if maintained perfectly.
Steel Roofing (40 years average lifespan)
Steel is very durable and long-lasting. As a result, steel roofing is a popular choice. There is no need for any significant changes because of its durability and longevity. Although compared to other forms of metal roof, the average lifespan is comparatively less in steel roofing.
Manufacturers coat seal roofing to protect it from rust. Some believe that steel roofing presents layout challenges. But there is a piece of good news for you. You can make steel look like any other type of roof. Slate, shingle, or clay, for instance. As a result, you do not have to worry about facing layout issues.
Factors that Affect Longevity of Metal Roofing
There are some factors that decrease the longevity of your metal roofing. Some of these are common and often overlooked or underestimated. These factors are sun exposure, growth of moss, proper installation and roof color.
Proper Installation
Even though most metal roofs are durable in nature, they do not last long. One of the reasons behind this is that they are not properly installed.
The metal roof might lose its lifespan if you do not properly install it as mentioned in the installation guide. Also, it is to be made sure that the products are with a warranty so that you can take expert help if any problem arises.
Roof Color
One fact that might be relatively unknown to you is that your roof color has an impact on the longevity of your roof. A darker roof has a greater tendency to absorb more heat.
On the other hand, a lighter-colored roof reflects heat, lowering the temperature of the interior of the building. You should consider using acrylic elastomeric roof coatings on a dark metal roof to make it cooler in the summer.
Sun Exposure
When determining how long a metal roof will survive, it is important to consider the elements of nature as well. Nature plays a significant role in reducing the lifespan of roofing systems.
The UV rays of the sun causes the roof material to deteriorate over time. The precise area of the roof that is most exposed to the sun is the one that deteriorates the most quickly. This causes the lifespan of your metal roof to decrease at a faster rate.
Growth of Moss
The growth of moss is another factor that is harmful for the lifespan of metal roofs. Moss accelerates the degradation of a roof. Organic debris on your roofing surface, though it is not prevalent on metal roofs, encourages the growth of moss.
Moist roof sections, such as the northern section of the roof, support a thriving moss population. If your roof is bordered by trees, it is more vulnerable to the growth of moss. While metal roofs are not particularly prone to moss growth, the fact that they contain biological detritus increases their vulnerability to the growth of the fungus.
Tips to Make Metal Roofs Last Longer
Installing metal roofs can be quite expensive, as well as having to replace them. You can easily take some precautions and measures in order to increase your metal roof lifespan, such as selecting the right roofing for roof pitch, proper installation and maintenance, and picking the right metal panel gauge.
Maintenance of Metal Roof
Simple metal roof maintenance is the easiest method to catch a problem before it becomes a more significant issue. Failure to perform routine maintenance can cause developing problems to go undiscovered until it’s too late, resulting in costly repairs or perhaps a roof replacement.
After adverse weather situations, you should do inspections. Moreover, you should perform preventive roof maintenance to stay ahead of any potential issues that may arise.
Picking the Correct Metal Panel Gauge
A panel’s metal gauge, or thickness, can influence its durability, which in turn influences its life span. Keep in mind that the lower the metal gauge number, the thicker the metal. The thickness of a 24-gauge metal panel is greater than that of a 29-gauge metal panel.
As a result, a 24-gauge panel would be more durable than a 29-gauge panel.
A thinner material could be a problem when it comes to harsh weather elements like snow, high winds, or hail. I would not recommend 29-gauge if you live in an area where there is regular snowfall. There might be leaks if there is excessive snow.
Homeowners who live in the high-wind zones should avoid thinner metal. A 24-gauge roof is thicker and heavier than a 29-gauge roof. The more the weight is, the more chance there is of resistance during more adverse situations.
Selecting the Correct Roof Pitch
When a model of the metal panel is put on a roof pitch for which it is not designed, the outcome might be leaking and need for repair. As a result, you must measure the amount of steepness of a roof correctly.
You can easily do that by figuring out how many inches the slope climbs for every 12 inches it runs horizontally.
It can be stated as % or in degrees. But usually, the most common form is as a ratio, such as 6:12. This means that for each 12-inch inward movement of a roof, it rises by 6 inches. Flat roofs have a low pitch and are not suitable for some types of metal roofing.
A roof with a lower pitch (below.5/12) can collect water, compromising the panel system’s performance.
Metal roof are the best to get when thinking about a roof upgrade. Although it is comparatively expensive, it is a worthy investment. If properly maintained, then it is possible to last your metal roof for a long time. Hopefully, after reading this article, you have learned everything you need to know regarding how long does a metal roof last. Thank you for reading.
