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Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 10th September 2009Metal Roofing Myths Debunked
Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 10th September 2009
Minnesota metal roofing has become quite the trend. Individuals have the choice of different colors and even different styles. For instance, you can have a blue roof if you want a blue roof. You can also have a metal roof that mimics the look of shingles if you want. There are more and more options being made available to homeowners as metal roof innovations are being made.
However, there are some myths about metal roofing in Minnesota that need to be addressed so that individuals such as yourself can make the right decisions regarding metal roofing.
Those myths include:
Metal roofs are too hot and don’t have insulating properties – It has been shown that metal roofs are saving homeowners money on their heating and cooling costs when they are installed properly. Metal roofs actually reflect a lot of the solar energy that tends to heat up the attics of homes. This results in the home remaining a more consistent temperature, which means you do not have to deal with the extreme temperature fluctuations you would have to deal with otherwise.
Lightning loves metal roofs – The truth here is that lighting hates metal roofs. The Metal Roof Alliance states that the instance of lightning hitting your home with a metal roof is not increased. If lightning does hit your home, the metal roof disperses the energy from the lightning evenly and safely. The instance of fire is also greatly reduced with a metal roof because metal is not flammable.
Metal roofs don’t last long – Quality metal roofs come with a 20 year guarantee from the manufacturer. Metal roofs do require special skills from Minnesota roofing contractors. Not everyone can install a metal roof, which says a lot about the quality of the roof. The more complex, the better it is. When installed properly, the expected lifespan of a metal roof is 50 years. This is much longer than most other roof types, which includes asphalt shingles that have a maximum life of 30 years.
Metal roofs aren’t very beneficial – Right now, you can receive a tax credit on your income tax return when you put metal roofing on your home. As you’ve read so far, metal roofing is not flammable, they are not too hot, and they do keep cool air in and hot air out. When you use an Energy Star rated metal roofing, your energy costs can be cut by 10% to 15%.
Metal roofs aren’t worth the cost – Metal roofs may cost more than asphalt shingles, but the overall savings exceeds that of asphalt shingles and the roof more or less pays for itself over time in the form of energy savings. Asphalt shingles do need to be replaced 2 to 4 times more often than metal roofing. Considering roof replacement costs thousands, the overall savings is astronomical.
When you decide to take the metal roofing route, you do need a Minnesota roofing company that specializes in installing metal roofs. It takes 4 to 5 years for a roofer to gain the experience needed to install these roofs, but once they are installed, they are an amazing asset to your home.
Minnesota Hail Storms Versus Roofing
Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 10th September 2009
One of a roof’s most vile enemies is the hail storm. Hail can range in size from pea sized to the size of golf balls. On rare occasions, hail can be even larger than that. When it is, roofs in Minnesota see quite a bit of damage. That damage can range from the granules being removed from asphalt shingles to actual penetration of the shingles, exposing everything underneath. This can then lead to leaks that cause even more damage to the home.
Hail is certainly a force to be reckoned with and one that costs millions each year to homeowners, vehicle owners, and various other individuals who have different belongings damaged by hail. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about it. If the hail is going to fall, it is going to fall. You can protect your outside belongings if the storm is predicted, but you can’t protect your roof. There is not a garage or barrier that you can put over your roof before a hail storm strikes.
After the hail storm
After a hail storm, a wise thing to do is contact a Minneapolis Hail Damage expert to see if any damage was done. Even if you can’t see damage from the ground, it doesn’t mean that damage has not been done. There are several things that hail can do to your roof that you may not be able to see but an inspector can. Those things include:
- Missing granules, which eliminates some of the protection shingles have and can lead to faster wear and tear. Another hail storm will make this worse and speed up the demise of your roof even faster.
- Cracks in your shingles that can then let water through when it rains. This water will eventually break the barrier that is your underlayment and cause leaks in your roof that you may not find until it is too late.
- Blistering, which is the thinning of areas on your shingles. This thinning can then lead to cracks, holes, and other types of damage that will eventually lead to leaks.
- Penetration, which is very major damage. Penetration is when the hail actually penetrates the shingle. Depending on the size of the hail, penetration can result in holes in your roofing that goes through rather deep. The underlayment can also be damaged, leading to instant leaking that needs to be repaired as soon as possible.
When a roofing inspector sees these types of damage, they will tell you and inform you of what your options are as far as having these issues repaired. If your roof is heavily damaged, the roofer may suggest that the entire roof be replaced. This is usually true when 1 in 5 or even as few as 1 in 10 shingles are damaged.
The Solution – Hire A MN Roofing Contractor
If you find that you are consistently having damage during hail storms or that you have experienced a lot of damage according to your inspection, you may want to consider high impact shingles. These are shingles that can deal with the impact of hail much better than your traditional shingle. These are frequently referred to as “Class 4 shingles.” You will want to talk to your Minnesota roofing contractor about these shingles so that you can give hail a run for its money. Class 4 shingles aren’t immune to the largest types of hail, but they offer much more protection and can save you a lot more money in the long run.
Roof Damage: How poor ventilation damages your shingles
Written By: CopperSmith Gutter | Minnesota Seamless Gutters, Minneapolis Copper Gutters Contractor | Published On: 10th September 2009
One of the most important parts of your roofing system is your ventilation system. Your ventilation system ensures that hot air is not trapped in your attic. When the sun shines down upon your roof, your roof absorbs the heat that is generated from the UV rays. This is unless you have a “cool roof” that is light colored and reflects the sunlight so that head does not become trapped to the extent that dark roofs do.
Proper ventilation adds to the durability of a roof. Without ventilation, you not only have heat build up, but you also have moisture build up in the attic. When the heat and the moisture combine, the condensation that is produced can cause the sheathing and the rafters to rot. The shingles can also buckle and your insulation will become ineffective. So you need to make sure that your ventilation is not blocked off in any way. This means ridge vents, louvers, or soffit vents are to not be blocked in any way, even in the winter.
Proper attic ventilation protects against structural damage. The life of the material is increased, energy consumption is reduced, and the rooms below the attic are much more comfortable.
Insulation and Ventilation
If you are concerned about your ventilation and even the insulation in your home, a Minnesota roofer can help you address the problems. First of all, a Minnesota roofing contractor can take a look to make sure you have proper insulation in your attic. You should have a clear ventilation system, as well as a layer of insulation on the attic floor to keep the rooms below cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Another thing that you will need in your home if you don’t have it is a vapor retarder. This keeps any moisture inside the house from rising into the attic. Basically, you need enough vented spaces so that air will pass in and out easily. A Minnesota roofing professional will also make sure you have about one inch of space between your roof sheathing and your insulation. They are able to check everything and ensure proper measurements based on the length and the width of your attic. It is recommended that you have at least one square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of attic floor. The vents should be placed near the ridge or at the eaves.
Energy Saving
When you have your roof inspected by a Minneapolis roofer, you do need to have them tell you whether or not you have proper ventilation. If you don’t, then you want to find out what needs to be done to make sure you do. If you do not have proper ventilation, then you are running the risk of your roof meeting its demise before its time.
Furthermore, the ventilation and insulation combination keeps the air in the living quarters of your home like it is supposed to. You do not want too much heat coming down from the attic during the summer and your cooling costs literally go through the roof. By keeping your air where it belongs, you are cutting down the amount of energy you are using in your home. Not only does this save you money, but you are also doing a favor for the environment.
