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TOPIC: Is A Metal Roof Right For My House

Metal or rubberized asphalt roof?

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I have an 18 year old asphalt GAF roof that is ready for replacement. I am considering a Rubber vs. Metal roof. The pitch is 6 in 12. About 40 squares would be needed. The home Is on a property with large old-growth trees in the back. There is a lot of leaf fall and needles Especially in the fall. WInd storms can leave small branches on the roof. Near a freshwater Lake - uphill from it, not waterfront. What kind of roof would be good? If metal - galvanized Steel or aluminum? Thanks!
Lucky Lady

10/31/2015
Answered in the other thread just posted. Galvanized steel will work great here. Should look great on the home and live a very long and happy life on the roof too. Eric Novotny
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!

10/31/2015
I have heard 2 problems with steel from the aluminum competition - one is that it can rust and the other that it can heat up too much In the summer. Any thoughts or experience around this?
Lucky Lady

11/1/2015
I have heard 2 things from the aluminum competition regarding galvanized steel - one is that it can rust and the other that it will heat up too much. Any thoughts or experience you can share is welcome.
Lucky Lady

11/1/2015
Re galvanized steel - have heard 2 things from the aluminum competition - gets too hot and can rust. Appreciate your thoughts and experience with this.
Lucky Lady

11/1/2015
Today's quality steel roofs have have several layers of corrosion inhibiting coatings. If you are near a salt coast line though, aluminum would be a good choice. As far as heat handling characteristics of the two ... the differences really are very minor and inconsequential. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/1/2015
Sounds like galvanized steel is a good choice. Would it be fine for installing solar panels on top of it? The aluminum competition said the steel could bake the solar panels because it gets so hot. Anyone have solar panels on a galvanized steel roof without problems?
Guest User

11/1/2015
The performance of solar PV panels is enhanced when they are kept cooler. I do not think there will be any appreciable difference between the two metals in this regard. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/1/2015
Will the galvanized steel roof need a coat of paint or anti-corrosive material after say 20 years? Is it really a 40+ year roof in terms of maintenance? Will the warranty hold at the 20 year mark for maintenance as it is non-prorated? I realize it depends on the manufacturer and the specific terms of warranty but what is the experience in general? Are steel shingles better than standing seam in terms of repair and maintenance?
Guest User

11/1/2015
A great deal depends upon the quality of the base steel -- you mention galvanized. Is it G90 galvanized? A lot depends on the quality of the paint finish -- PVDF coatings (aka Kynar and Hylar) will give the longest term performance. And a lot depends upon how close you are to the slat coast. The same parameters stand for steel shingles as for steel standing seam. A quality steel roof not located real close to the salt environment will certainly last well beyond 20 years without maintenance. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/2/2015
Thank you for the information! I will make sure it is G90 and PVDF coatings. We are uphill from the waterfront. A lot fo the homes closer to the waterfront have standing seam - probably steel. As I mentioned previously it is a freshwater lake, not salt. Another question - when the coating does wear off - are they able to re-coat it in place or does it need to be removed and then put back? Just to know what to expect in the future.
Guest User

11/2/2015
Provided the coating just wears thin from normal exposure and wear and tear ... and does not suffer from any defect ... you can normally coat over the old finish. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/2/2015
I am zeroing in on a standing seam roof that is cut in panels from pre-galvanized coil at the factory. The edges are coated so no danger of rust there. The panels are either in 26 gauge Nu-Shield Silicone Modified Polyester (SMP) resin coating with Teflon surface Protector or in 24 gauge Kynar for an additional cost. Which would be preferable as far as maintenance, longevity, fading etc? I need to find out about the pre-galvanization but my guess is it is not G90. That is offered at a higher price level.
Guest User

11/2/2015
My preference out of all of this would be 24 gauge Kynar coated G90 galvanized or AZ 50 galvalume. Please know exactly what warranties you are getting and who they come from. In your area, of course, the SMP will perform better than in some higher UV climates. I forget if you mentioned a color but with colors like reds, blues, and green, the value of Kynar is even greater in terms of fade resistance. I think that the SMP finish in your are area should have at least 25 years before it has faded to the point of where you may want to recite and realistically it could be 30 years or so. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

11/3/2015

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