Metal roofing is the choice of roofing system for homeowners these days. Not only is it versatile and will fit in with any house type, it will also withstand the elements for many years to come and still look great! Cheap metal roofing can also keep the costs of building or renovating your home down. Cheap metal roofing is also easy to install and can be done by the homeowner with very little effort.The Benefits Of Cheap Metal Roofing
There are many benefits for any homeowner wanting to install cheap metal roofing in his or her home. The first main benefit is that cheap metal roofing is extremely tough and has a longevity that few other roofing types can boast. If maintained well and regularly, you are looking at a good 50 years of service. There are also a number of colours of cheap metal roofing that you can choose from so it will fit in with the existing colours of your home.
Many individuals will look at cheap metal roofing and expect it to resemble the corrugated iron roofing that has been a staple of barns for many years but this is not the case today. It looks good, is extremely lightweight and is also extremely safe. Cheap metal roofing is fire resistant so you do not have to worry about that as a hazard at all.
Cheap metal roofing does not have to replace existing roofing. It can be installed over an existing roof, although any slate must be removed in order for it to lie properly. It is the installation of cheap metal roofing that is most important because any cheap metal roof that is install properly will not allow moisture into your home.
Cheap Metal Roofing InformationThere is plenty of information about cheap metal roofing out there for you to have a look at before deciding to install it. The best place to search initially is the Internet. There are a number of manufacturers and specialist stores that stock cheap metal roofing and their websites can give you a good idea of your options as well as any information you may require about the metal roofing itself.
Local suppliers and building merchants may also be able to give you advice about cheap metal roofing that can help you to make your mind up. Their perspective may be very different from those printed on the Internet so it will help you to get a better picture of the pros and cons of cheap metal roofing. They will also be able to give you advice on installation and that could prove to be valuable because of their experience.
Cheap metal roofing is definitely a possibility that should be explored if you are looking to alter your home. Gather as much information as you can before making a decision and you will not go far wrong!
The Cost of Roofing for Different Roof Types
While a house or building is being constructed, contractors are often called in to take into account the different costs that come with building, as well as the costs that will come when maintenance must be carried out. One particular aspect of this accounting is roofing: the cost of roofing does not only entail looking at the cost of the initial material, but considering how much it will take to maintain that roofing material and ensure that it lasts longer.
Another factor to take into account is the variety of changes that have to be made in order for the house or building to accommodate the roof. Many people will select a roof based on how it fits the house or building in terms of color or design, while contractors will select a roof based on its strength and durability.
Both of these considerations have to come together for a good compromise that will ensure the integrity of a house or building while ensuring that it blends with the surrounding environment.
What are the Different Roofing Materials Now Available?The roof that we see on our buildings and homes is actually the outermost part of the entire roofing structure. This is often referred to as the weather-proofing material, and it stands on different structural panels or posts that ensure its integrity and strength.
The most basic, and perhaps one of the oldest roofing materials, is thatch. Thatch, sometimes loosely referred to as straw, is made of plant materials, and is placed in overlapping layers upon a house.
There are different kinds of thatch materials available. In small villages in England and France, wheat straw is popular, as it can keep out water. In the coastal areas of Scotland, seagrass is more popular, as it can last longer than wheat straw and protect houses against the harsh weather of the estuaries. In fact, thatch users claim that their simple roofs can last as long as sixty years.
Any roofing material that is laid over the roofing base in overlapping sections is referred to as shingles or shakes. Shingles can be made of wood, and they can be expensive, as they have to be bought per section and installed per section. Red cedar shingles can last for as long as thirty years, although they can be expensive. Hardwoods were once popular, but with the decline of hardwood forests, hardwood shingles are limited to restoration work.
Slate is another expensive type of shingles, as it can last for up to two centuries. However, since slate is heavy, it should be supported by extremely strong structural materials. Another heavy shingles type is ceramic tile, which is also expensive, but which can last for up to a century. Shingles, in fact, are historically significant: the Greeks and Romans used tegula and imbrex. Another innovation today is metal shingles, which are not only durable but expensive.
High quality, high durability materials such as concrete and asphalt are popular for business buildings and high rises. Concrete will usually be reinforced with strong fibers, while asphalt will be covered with a layer of protective material. Also popular is membrane roofing, in which sheets or membranes are laid over a roof, and then fused at joints or corners in order to form a continuous, smooth surface. Such roofs can be made of rubber, plastic, modified bitumen, and sprayed on polyurethane foam.
Thanks to innovations, many other materials can be used to cover houses or buildings and serve as roofing material. Some fabrics can be infused with structural materials that can make them stronger and more resistant to wear and tear. Dacron or polyester, as well as fiberglass infused Teflon, are also gaining popularity as roofing materials.
Metal Roofing Can be Cost-Effective
Metals are also popular nowadays: despite their relatively high cost, metal roofs can pay for themselves, especially if the house or building on which they rest will be maintained and used for two decades or more. A popular metal roof consists of corrugated iron, which is common, and which can be inexpensive for most countries because of their wide use.
There are many different materials that can be used for metal roofs. Galvanized steel is one of the cheaper forms of metal roofing, but it can rust easily. Most galvanized steel roofs are coated with zinc-aluminum alloys that can protect the roof from harsh weather. Aluminum and copper are also popular metal roofing materials. They are especially strong and rust-resistant, although they can be quite expensive.
Metal roofs can also be installed in a variety of ways. A popular method is to fix the roof to a structural base that effectively makes the metal roof a part of the house or building. This is referred to as standing seam metal roofing: it allows the metal roof to contract or expand according to weather and atmospheric conditions, and it can keep out rain, water, and hail effectively.
Roofing Materials - Choosing Shingles as Your Roofing Material
Building codes. If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner's association, be sure to check with them on approved roofing materials. In addition, some communities restrict the number of shingle layers they allow on a home before requiring a complete tear-off for a new roof.
Roof slope. Have a roofing professional evaluate the pitch of your roof to get a sense for which roofing materials would work best. A steep pitch will reduce your choices of roofing materials.
Climate. If you live in a damp, humid region, algae can accumulate on the surface of your roof. Look for shingles treated with copper or zinc particles to increase algae resistance.
Following are the main choices of shingles and other roofing materials, from the least expensive to the most expensive:
Asphalt shingles. Conventional, three-tab asphalt shingles offer a relatively low cost roofing material. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide assortment of colors. When selecting asphalt shingles, be sure to check the warranty length (which may vary from 20 to 40 years), as well as for fire resistance ratings (A-rated offers the best protection).
Architectural shingles. Architectural shingles use the same material as standard asphalt shingles but they offer a thicker, more substantial look more closely resembling slate or wood shakes. Although they are more expensive than standard shingles, they tend to be easier to install. Premium laminate shingles are a new innovation offering more color and texture choices. Architectural shingles are often backed by warranties up to 50 years.
Wood shingles. Wood shingles are smooth and uniform, unalike wood shakes which have a rough and varied appearance. Wood shingles are generally cut from cedar or pressure-treated southern yellow pine. Due to the higher material and installation costs, they are a more expensive choice, but they should last 30 to 50 years.