Metal Roofing Blog

There are a lot of reasons both practical and aesthetic to choose steel roofing from London Eco-Metal Manufacturing. Those reasons include ROI, energy efficiency, aesthetic adaptability and the wide range of style options available, just to name a few. But there’s one more reason steel roofing in Toronto should be on your list of home or business improvements this year: low maintenance. When compared to the most common form of roofing – asphalt shingles – steel roofing provides significant savings on both short and long term maintenance.

Low Maintenance: Another Advantage of Steel Roofing Toronto

Maintenance can represent a significant long term burden in both time and money and always needs to be factored into the cost of a particular roof. Let’s look at the maintenance requirements of both steel and asphalt to see what we’re talking about.

Asphalt Roofing Maintenance Requirements

• Removing debris from the roof – Particularly after heavy weather events. It’s crucial to the life of your shingles that someone get up on the roof after intense storms and also in the springtime to clear debris from the roof.
• Inspecting the shingles – While you’re removing the debris from your roof you also need to inspect the shingles themselves to ensure none have been damaged by high wind or flying debris. If they have they need to be replaced ASAP.
• Inspecting the flashings – The flashings around the chimney, skylights and other protrusions should be checked at least twice a year to ensure their integrity. If they get damaged the water they let in can undermine the roof, walls, wiring and insulation of your home.
• Inspecting for moss – Moss and algae on your shingles can promote their breakdown. During your flashing inspections you should also check for the growth of mold and algae on the roof.
• Checking for overhanging branches – Trees can grow faster than you think so you need to keep an eye on any trees growing near the house to make sure no branches are hanging over or worse, rubbing against the roof.

Maintenance Requirements for Steel Roofing in Toronto.

• Washing the roof – In the springtime and perhaps in the fall too you may want to hose your roof down to clear it of dust, dirt and any leaves that may have gotten stuck.
• Inspecting after extreme weather events – There may be high wind events that send branches and other flying debris into your roof. As such it’s smart to inspect the roof after such events.
• Replacing damaged panels – In the unlikely event your inspection revealed any damaged panels simply call the company that installed the roof and inform them of the problem. They should be happy to replace any panels for you in a timely fashion.

As you can see maintaining your steel roof is a less intensive task than properly maintaining asphalt shingles. This is one more reason why steel roofing in Toronto has taken off in recent years. If you’d like to learn more about steel roofing give London Eco-Metal Manufacturing a call and talk to one of our metal roofing experts.

The roof is arguably the most important component of your home. You can survive, at least for a while, losing windows, the front door, siding and more but if the roof goes your home is essentially uninhabitable. Therefore it’s vital that the company you choose to repair or replace your roof is one with a solid reputation for high quality work along with the experience and expertise to handle any and all kinds of roofing emergencies. Should you choose a roofing contractor based solely on price however, what you’re most likely to get are excuses, delays and long-term trouble.

The Importance of Hiring Qualified Roofing Contractors in Mississauga

Not all roofing contractors in Mississauga are the same. Some are run by dedicated professionals with years of experience and a commitment to their customers, while others are run by guys looking to make a few bucks so they can pay their bills and go drinking with their buddies. These guys will typically offer rock bottom prices just to secure the job, but you’d do well to resist the temptation to take them up on their offer. Here’s why:

• They’re cutting corners – Things like liability insurance, workman’s compensation insurance, proper equipment and high quality materials all cost money. If someone is offering to repair or replace your roof for significantly less than the competition they’re making up for that lost revenue somewhere. And you’re the one who will wind up paying in the long run.

• They’re probably not insured – We just mentioned this above but it warrants its own entry on this list. Discount roofing contractors in Mississauga are often uninsured. You may shrug and say “So?” but consider this: if someone who works for that uninsured contractor gets hurt while working on your property guess who is liable? That’s right. You. And if they’re seriously hurt it could wind up costing you a life-changing amount of money.

• In all likelihood they’re poorly trained – Roofers who are properly trained and have lots of experience don’t need to sell themselves short. Discount roofing companies though are often composed of industry castoffs and hangers on. Guys with poor training and limited experience who couldn’t get work with a reputable contractor. They’ll also work for cheap which is another reason the discount contractor can offer such a low price.

• They disappear when the check clears – Reputable contractors keep the lines of communication open with their clients past and present. If there’s a problem they take care of it. Most discount contractors disappear back into the social woodwork as soon as the cheque clears and good luck trying to hold them responsible when, (not if), problems arise.

Gambling with the very roof over your head is not an activity that will pay off in the end. In order to ensure the roof you and your family depends on is always there to provide safe, reliable protection from mother nature just say “No thanks” next time discount roofing contractors in Mississauga offer you a rock bottom price.

The metal roofing products we offer our customers provide a durable, attractive finish that’s suitable for most types of pitched roof applications. They’re versatile enough to meld with your traditional building style and cutting edge enough to put the finishing touch on your contemporary home or office building. But that’s not all. There’s another reason to love these durable, easy-to-install panels that doesn’t get a lot of press, but should: they’re among the greenest building materials you can buy.

Going Green with Metal Roofing in Kitchener

Most of our clients are sold on the many aesthetic and practical advantages metal roofing provides. Many are also surprised to discover that they’re perhaps the greenest building material in the entire roofing industry and here are just some of the reasons why:

• They’re made from mostly recycled materials.
• As such they produce a minimal carbon footprint.
• They can reduce the temperature in your attic by up to 1/3.
• They can be completely recycled at the end of their long life.
• The fact that they’re so light reduces on the energy used to transport them.
• They reflect sunlight which reduces the stress on your air conditioning system.
• Their light weight can also help extend the life of your home or commercial building.
• Because they give your HVAC system a break it works more efficiently and lasts longer.
• They break the cycle of landfill disposal followed by primary resource consumption.
• They’re extremely low maintenance and long lasting.

In addition – Metal roofing reflects substantial amounts of solar radiation that contacts the roof of a building instead of absorbing it the way asphalt shingles and rubber do. Metal roofing for Kitchener homes can also be installed directly over many kinds of existing roofs further reducing trips to the landfill and the environmental contamination that ensues from the disposal of roofing materials. And one more thing; a metal roof also makes your home more fire resistant whereas asphalt shingles are little fuel packages waiting for a flame to set them off.

But Wait, There’s More

In addition to being an outstanding green building material metal roofing also has many other advantages over other roofing materials. Those advantages include:

• Moisture resistance
• Wind resistance
• High ROI
• Tax savings
• Stain resistance
• Lower insurance premiums
• And virtually no maintenance

Whichever of our innovation, energy efficient products you choose metal roofing in Kitchener will provide you with the greenest roof in the GTA. We’re serious about environmental responsibility and are constantly revisiting the design, engineering and production of our metal building products in an effort to improve their performance, reduce their carbon footprint and extend their usable lifespan.

Contact London Eco-Metal Today

Metal roofing is an idea whose time has come and the number of homes and businesses that switch every year to metal roofs is proof positive of their relevance and effectiveness. If you’d like to transform your home or business into a green beacon for the community give London Eco-Metal Manufacturing a call today on 905-564-7663 and speak to one of our experts on metal roofing in Kitchener.

When it comes to buying a product, it’s only natural to want one that lasts a long time so you can really feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth. Metal roofs definitely fit this category, with some having a life expectancy that’s almost unbelievable – yet entirely true.

Metal roofs – A Superior Material

Roofs on homes have evolved over time and seem to have reached the pinnacle of technology with today’s options. The secret to their longevity? Metal is simply a superior material. For example, let’s look at other roof types and why they don’t last so long.

• Asphalt Roofs – With a life expectancy of around 15 years, they’re not the worst option but certainly pale in comparison to the 60 years that some metal options can last for. Simply put, asphalt roofs break down over time due to constant wear and tear from the weather, resulting in cracks, curling panels and buckling shingles. Not only that, but asphalt is a substance in which life can thrive. By having infestations of algae and moss on asphalt roofs, the life expectancy can drop further and leave your home prone to leaks and moisture, which could cause several other problems. Metal roofs don’t attract life of this sort and certainly don’t curl or buckle, meaning their life expectancy remains superior.
• Wood Shake Roofs – Similar to asphalt roofs, the main reasons for the lack of longevity with wood shake roofs are the fact that they can fault, buckle and bend. Not only that, but they’re prone to rot, too, meaning they could have to be replaced after just a few years. As you know, metal doesn’t rot, and so you don’t have to worry about this having an effect on the longevity of your roof.
• Clay Tile Roofs – Whilst clay won’t rot, clay roof tiles are extremely fragile and prone to breaking, meaning that if there’s a big storm in the area, there’s a chance that you roof isn’t up to it and you could end up having to replace a great deal of clay tiles that have either cracked, moved or broken completely. Metal is obviously stronger than clay tiles and is certainly strong enough to take whatever nature might throw at it – metal 1, nature 0.

Metal – In it for the Long Run

Metal lasts because it’s strong. A metal roof is highly unlikely to break or fault, and definitely won’t harbor any mold, rot or mildew through its long lifespan. Providing the roof is properly maintained and cared for, it should last for up to 60 years because its practically impervious to any weather; it won’t rot in rain, it won’t dry out in the heat and it won’t break in a storm.

True Longevity

If you want a product that really lasts a lifetime, then a metal roof is the one for you. Don’t settle for a material that will need constant maintenance and costly replacements whilst you live under it – “settle” for metal.

Energy efficiency is a primary concern of most homeowners these days – partially as part of a desire to reduce their household expenditure, and partly out of genuine concern for the state of the environment. As a result of this, we are constantly on the lookout for energy-efficient solutions to our daily needs. Roofing is obviously a major area where we can look to save energy expenditure as it is such an important part of the house.

The Many Advantages of Metal Roofing

It’s not all that long ago that most people scoffed at the idea of metal roofing in residential buildings. It was acceptable for warehouses and little more. But advances in colour, texture and design have made metal a viable option for roofing on many different types of houses. Now, metal roofing is steadily rising in popularity as consumers begin to realise the numerous advantages it presents in terms of energy efficiency:

• Firstly, it saves energy by simply providing better protection for the house as a whole. Metal roofing usually has a lifespan of around 60 years – the energy spent repairing and replacing other roofs just isn’t necessary when it comes to metal. As it is a great protector from fire, storms and heavy snow, it’s also likely that your metal roof will save you from having to waste energy resources repairing other parts of your home, too.
• More interesting to most homeowners, is the fact that metal roofing can save you up to 40% of your household energy expenditure in the summer months. This is due to the high reflectivity of metal roofs when compared with other types of roofing. Radiation from sunlight that is reflected away from the house is not absorbed. Quite often we see that houses become small islands of heat during the hot summer months, as their roofs absorb much of the constant heat radiation that falls upon them, forcing inhabitants to constantly use expensive and wasteful air conditioners.
• From a longer-term, green perspective, metal roofs beat off the competition thanks to the fact that they are largely entirely recyclable. This means that once the lifespan of a metal roof is over, it won’t end up in landfill somewhere. Instead, it will be able to be recycled – perhaps even into another metal roof. This is a much better use of the planet’s finite resources and space than most other roofing types.

Energy efficient homes are growing ever-more popular and we have entered a phase in which energy efficiency has become a very large factor in a potential buyer’s decision to make an offer on a home or not. As a result of this, metal roofs are expected to improve a home’s resale value by up to 6%. Installing a metal roof, therefore, gives you peace of mind in at least three different ways: You save money on your household energy expenditure, you reduce the amount of damage done to the environment and you increase the value of your assets at the same time.

We’ll admit, metal roofing isn’t everyone’s first passion in life. Most people, though, at some point, start to show an interest in roofing, simply because – well, everyone wants a roof over their head! When you’ve spent as long in the roofing business as London Eco Metal – one of the leading providers of metal roofing Kitchener has to offer – you start to appreciate the rarer and less-known aspects of roofing.

When it Comes to Metal Roofing, Kitchener has the Skills and the Knowledge

Apart from impressing your friends over a round of golf with your knowledge about the finer side of metal roofing, you can use these facts to check up on any contractors you might be thinking of hiring – most in Kitchener know their stuff, but you might just catch someone out with one of the six facts:

• Metal Roofs Are Far More Common than You Might Think – There is a common misconception that metal roofs are pretty much only used in industrial buildings. While it’s true that most industrial buildings do make use of metal roofs, it’s also true that many of the chicest residential properties do too. In terms of the range of colours and textures, metal roofing has advanced to the point where it is used everywhere from mock-Victorian townhouses to country ranches.
• Metal Roofs Are the Smartest Financial Option – You might get a few strange looks when you tell this to your friends, but it is in fact, true. Never mind the fact that you will almost always pay more up front for a metal roof than you would for say, an asphalt shingle roof. The fact of the matter is that, once you’ve paid for your metal roof, that’s it for the next sixty years, whereas other types of roof will need repairing and replacing during that time, costing you more than double what you paid for your metal roof.
• Metal Roofs Are Quiet – Their underlay dampens sound so much that rain, hail and other sounds actually become almost imperceptible.
• Metal Roofs Are Safer than Other Options – Metal won’t usually break under a falling branch, for example, and there is no danger to objects or people below the roof, as there of is from dislodged tiles.
• Metal Roofs Protect You and Your Home the Most from Bad Weather – Whether it’s heavy snowfall or one of those end-of-summer storms, a metal roof protects the integrity of your building much more than any other kind of roof.
• For Metal Roofing, Kitchener Is the Place to Be – In the past 15 years, metal roofing has increased from 4 to 12% in our city’s re-roofing projects. As mentioned above, that means residential properties as well as other types.

As the popularity of metal roofing grows, you’ll find yourself meeting people who can share similar interesting facts. Perhaps one day, you’ll be inspired to get your own re-roofing project off the ground, by contacting London Eco Metal, for metal roofing Kitchener can be proud of.