Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about metal roofing products that can help you understand how they are used in residential roofing applications.

*What Types of Metal Roofing Are Available?
There are three types of metal roofing that are typically available to homeowners. They include:
--Modular pressed products that are available in several sizes and shapes.
--Vertical seamed panels that are suitable for humid or cold climates.
--Water shedding systems that are suitable for flatter roofs.

These roof products feature shapes and colors that are easy to customize. As a result, it is easy to create metal roofing products that suit your needs.

*What Metal Alloys Are Used to Create Metal Roofing Products?
Most metal roofing products are manufactured using high-quality zinc, aluminum, copper, or steel alloys. These alloys are used because they offer the durability, strength, and flexibility needed to withstand many years of use outdoors.

*Does Metal Roofing Rust Over Time?
Metal roofing does not rust as long as you maintain properly. As a result, you can use metal roofing to complete many residential roofing projects in areas that experience extremely hot or humid weather.

*What Is the Cost of Metal Roofing?
The cost of most metal roofing varies between $125 to $1100 per 100 square feet. This cost can vary considerably because roofing contractors use the following variables to determine the cost of metal roofing:
--The size of your roof.
--The materials that are used to manufacture the roofing.
--The amount of labor needed to install the roofing.
--The amount of difficulty installing the roofing.

​*How Much Does a Piece of Metal Roofing Weigh?
A piece of metal roofing typically weighs between 8 ounces to 1 pound per square foot. This variation is caused by differences in a metal roofing material's dimensions, density, and gauge measurements.

*What Is a Gauge Measurement?
A gauge measurement describes the thickness of a metal roofing material's surface. This measurement decreases as the thickness of the metal roofing's surfaces increases. As a result, metal roofing that has larger gauge measurements will be thinner than metal roofing materials that have smaller gauge measurements.

*Do Metal Roofs Attract Lightning?
Contrary to popular belief, metal roofing does not attract lightning. This is the case because lightning is attracted to the highest points on the ground that are located away from your roof.

*Do I Have to Remove My Existing Roof's Shingles?
Generally speaking, you don't have to remove your roof's shingles in order to install metal roofing products. This is possible because most metal roofing products feature a lightweight construction that is strong enough to support itself on top of your roof's preexisting shingles.

*How Is Metal Roofing Sold in the United States?
Metal roofing is sold in the United States in units called squares. One square equals 100 square feet. This measurement makes it easy to determine how many squares are needed to complete a metal roofing project.

*What Tools Are Needed to Install Metal Roofing Materials?
Most roofing contractors use high-quality drills, weatherproof nails, and snipping tools to install metal roofing materials. Using these tools is worthwhile because it can help you save time and money on installation costs that make completing roofing projects difficult for homeowners.

*Are metal roofs worth the money?
Depending on the climate of the area you live in, metal roofs can save you up to 40% of your home's yearly energy costs. Owning a reflective metal roof gives you the benefit of paying less on your summer cooling expenses. Metal roofs that are highly emissive (meaning that the roof's material has the ability to release absorbed heat) can even help to reduce the urban air temperature by up to 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

A metal roof can also help you save money on heating during cold months. Unlike a heavy asphalt, shingled roof, a metal roof has a low thermal mass that doesn't allow the cold to radiate back into your home. This makes it easier for your heater to work more effectively and requires less energy.

*How long do metal roofs last?
In comparison to asphalt shingle roofs that should be replaced every 15 to 20 years, a metal roof can last for a lifetime.

*What types of metal roofing are there?
There are various types of metal roofing to choose from. The most popular are the following:

Tin Roof
In the roofing world, tin roofs are more accurately called terneplate or terne. It is a soft metal that is treated with a lead coating as well as tin. This type of roof can last forty to fifty years with a proper installation.

Galvanized Steel Roof
When cared for properly, galvanized steel is an inexpensive yet highly effective material that has been known to last sixty years and beyond. It is a combination of alloyed steel and a protective zinc coating. It is highly resistant to rust.

Aluminum Roof
Aluminum is a corrosion resistant material that doesn't need much maintenance. It is a better reflector of heat than steel and keeps a home cooler in the summer. This type of roof lasts about thirty-five years.

Copper Roof
Although it lasts longer than all other materials used for metal roofing, copper roofs aren't being used much nowadays. The reason is that copper is very expensive and hard to get.

*Are metal roofs noisy during rainy/stormy weather?
In bad weather, metal roofs can be much quieter in comparison to roofs constructed with asphalt shingles. This is accomplished when the metal roof is installed with solid sheathing which will greatly reduce the sound of heavy rain and other types of precipitation.

*Can metal roofs be repainted?
The answer to this common question is "yes". Along with the various benefits, painting a metal roof, if done properly, can extend its life as well as give your home a different and newer look.

*Can metal roofs go over shingles?
It is possible to install a metal roof over shingles. However, if your roof has two layers, you may be required to tear off those layers completely, depending on the code in your area.

*Can metal roofing be used as siding?
Yes. Some homes are sided with corrugated galvanized steel, a material that has been made into sheets that have been cold-rolled to create a corrugated pattern.