Metal Roofing Blog

Metal roofing in Toronto has come a long way. Once derided for its “one-look-fits-all” aesthetic metal roofs today have graduated from the tool shed and are available in a wide variety of colours, finishes, styles and textures. As a result, selecting the right metal roof for your home is now a bit more complicated than it was say, 20 years ago; but it’s the kind of luxury problem most homeowners enjoy. In this post we’ll look at some of the different types of metal roofing options available to you.

Metal Roofing in Toronto Has Graduated to the Big Time

Metal roofing in Toronto has become such an affordable and yes, attractive, option that the number of homes with metal roofs has exploded. Here are some of the aesthetic options you’ll be mulling over when the time comes to install your new metal roof.

• Raised seam panels – This style of metal roof is wildly popular in wet, snowy areas like Toronto. The raised vertical seams and smooth panels help control and direct runoff into the eavestroughs in an orderly manner and don’t let heavy snow get a foothold on your roof where it can cause problems. Now available in an array of colours to fit any home raised-seam panels are the most adaptable type of metal roof design.

• Pre-painted, press-formed modular panels – This type of “panel” is small and intended to mimic the look of everything from ceramic tiles to wooden shingles and more. If the raised seam panels say “metal roof” a bit too loudly for you take some time to investigate your modular press-formed options. You’ll be able to maintain a traditional look while enjoying the benefits of the latest in contemporary roofing technology.

• Granular-coated press-formed panels – Take the faux shingle idea to the limit with press-formed shingles that mimic the grainy surface texture of asphalt tiles. A perfect look for older homes or new homes that embrace traditional architectural motifs these mini panels are attached to the roof with hidden fasteners and then coated with a spray-on acrylic finish with tiny stone granules embedded in it for that authentic asphalt shingle look.

• Colours – Choosing the right colour, whatever style panels you decide to install, is the other major aesthetic decision you’ll have to make when it comes to your metal roof. Metal roofing in Toronto can be painted in nearly any colour to match any home. Just be sure you choose a paint that will block UV light, and think about adding a coating or sealant too. This will help the paint last longer and look better and will help protect the metal from mold and rust.

London Eco-Metal is a leading manufacturer of high quality metal roofing. Since our inception in 2009 we’ve installed metal roofing in Toronto for scores of residential and commercial clients. If you’re considering the many advantages of a metal roof for your home give us a call and talk to one of our roofing specialists. They’ll help you simplify the process of selecting the right style metal roof.

Today’s metal roofs are wonders of economy and functionality that will help you save on your energy bills, enhance the curb appeal of your home as well at its market value and last for decades; negating the need to have the roofers over every few years to tear things up and start again. A metal roof will supply all the benefits of wood, asphalt or tile as well as many other benefits unique to itself, but only if it’s installed properly by a qualified metal roofing contractor.

Steel Roofing Ottawa Calls For Professional Installation

Attempting to save a few bucks by selecting an inexperienced company or one that does steel roofing in Ottawa as a side business is asking for trouble. A poorly installed metal roof inadequately sealed against the elements represents a slow motion disaster for your home.

• Mold infestation – Mold in the home is no laughing matter. Mold is responsible for scores of allergy related illnesses, lost work and expensive visits to the doctor. Certain types of mold found in the home can even be fatal. Water leaking through an improperly sealed roof can accumulate in the attic saturating the space and providing mold spores a comfortable home.

• Rotten drywall – Drywall and water were not made for each other and prolonged exposure to water leaking through the walls from the poorly sealed roof will in time turn your walls into oatmeal. If your ceilings happen to be made of drywall as well you could be in for quite a surprise one evening while watching TV as large chunks of mushy drywall land in your lap.

• Loss of structural integrity – Wooden rafters, wall and floor joists were never intended to be wet all the time either. Moisture leaking in through a poorly installed roof eventually saturates the wood weakening it and, by extension, weakening the structural integrity of the house. There are many negative effects of a leaky roof. This may be the worst.

• Electrical chaos – Water seeping down through the walls of your house doesn’t only encounter wall joists and drywall. It also shares the space with a network of electrical cables. Water can create short circuits that have the potential to ignite fires, cause explosions, generate arcs and cause your home to lose power.

• Property damage – Your rugs, furniture, wallpaper, artwork, books and more can be permanently damaged by leaking, seeping or dripping water. This may seem like pretty small potatoes when compared with some of the other damage a leaky roof can create but consider this: drywall is relatively inexpensive to replace, that Persian carpet is not.

London Eco-Metal is your best bet for the installation of durable, beautiful steel roofing in Ottawa and vicinity. No one in the area has more experience installing metal roofs than we do and no one takes more time and care to ensure your new metal roof is properly sealed against the elements. Don’t gamble with the long-term viability of your home, call the company more homeowners choose for their steel roofing in Ottawa: London Eco-Metal.

You might not realize this, but one of the most important steps necessary before getting a roofing contractor to replace your roof is to have a contract prepared. A written contract may seem like a major hassle, especially with something seemingly simple like metal roofing in Ottawa. Believe it or not, there are many details that you are going to want to consider before letting someone do construction on your home or business. Just because the word ‘contract’ is in ‘roofing contractor’ doesn’t mean you have any guarantees.

 
What Could You Be Liable for Without a Roofing Contract?

Injuries – One of the major considerations is injury to workers. There will be people crawling all over your roof, high off the ground. There are many opportunities for accidents to take place. Not only could someone get hurt, a roofing contractor could also cause damage to your home from an accident or an injury.

Property Damage – Your roof might look great when it’s finished, but what about the rest of your house. What if someone were to break a window or step on some of your yard decorations? Accidents are always possible, but they do not have to cost you money.

Defective Work – If you don’t get the proper elements justified in a roofing contract, you could pay for the work twice. Don’t simply allow a company to do shoddy work, just to ask them back to repair or worse, use a different roofing contractor and go through the same thing again.

 
How Much Time Should it Take for a Roof to Be Installed?

In a written contract, have a specified time of completion. It’s also good for each step of the job to be listed with its appropriate amount of time per task. Though not common, roofing contractors can stretch the time out, which will simply cost you more money. If this is outlined in a contract, any additional labor or materials needed to meet the specified timeline will be at the roofing contractor’s expense, not yours.

 
Let’s Not Forget About All of These!

There is a diverse range of other factors that may/should be included somewhere in the contract you sign. Some of the more common ones include inspections, insurance checks, the role of subcontractors and exactly who will be working on the project, safety, equipment, and clearing up after the work is done.

 
Tailor Your Contract As Needed.

The contract should be carefully tailored to ensure every possible detail pertaining to the contract is incorporated. Taking the time to foresee problems and put solutions in place ahead of time can be the difference between a fruitful working relationship with your contractors and a costly legal case. Be wise to the smart talk of some smaller companies and the reassurances they might offer. Professionals who respect you and insist on a job well done should handle metal roofing in Ottawa.

At London ECO-METAL Manufacturing, we take pride in our ability to do some of the best work you’ll find in Ottawa. Why else would we give you quality information for free.

Fact or Fiction? This may be what you think to yourself when you are doing research about metal roofing. With the increase in popularity of metal roofing and the fact that so many roofing companies are vying for business in the Windsor, Toronto, Ottawa and Mississauga areas, it’s no surprise that myths about metal roofing still exist.

 
5 Metal Roofing Myths Debunked

These are five of the most common metal roofing myths that seem to keep coming up. While some of these may have been true at some point in history, times have changed and now they are as mythical as a unicorn.

1. Metal Roofing is Loud. We can all picture that rustic barn with the pitter-patter of rain on the
   tin roof. While this may have been the case a hundred years ago, modern metal roofs are quiet because they boast insulation and they are typically laid over some other kind of roofing construction. Any metal roofing contractor will show you that great care is taken in the engineering to make them silent.
2. Metal Roofing Increases the Chance of Lightning Strikes. You don’t have to worry about getting zapped more frequently under a metal roof. Even though metal does conduct electricity, electricity is not drawn to metal. If your home is properly grounded, a metal roof is just the same as any other roof in terms of attracting lightning. In fact, metal roofing is non-combustible, so it’s probably even safer than other materials because if it is struck by lightning, it will not catch fire.
3. Metal Roofing is Easily Dented By Hail. While it’s true that a baseball sized hail stone will dent your roof, and probably do damage to lots of other parts of your home as well, normal hailstones won’t cause any damage. If you live in an area prone to hailstorms, you may want to select a more textured metal because it makes minor denting invisible.
4. A Metal Roof Will Make You Colder in the Winter. Actually, this has nothing to do with the metal roof, it’s all about the insulation under the roof. If you have poor insulation under any kind of roof, your home will be cold. So, no matter what you choose, make sure it’s properly insulated to keep you toasty warm inside.
5. You Can’t Walk on a Metal Roof. First of all, how much do you plan to be walking on your roof? Secondly, a metal roof can be walked on, it just takes a little more care. Your roofing contractor should provide you with specifics about your roof and how to walk on it if you must.

Still not sure? Ask your metal roofing contractor for some local references and they can affirm that all of these points are simply myths that, like a metal roof, just don’t hold water today.

There are so many different kinds of roofing choices these days that it’s mind-boggling. The three most common options available to most property owners include tiles, shingles, and metal. Shingles often require more maintenance than the other options and tiles are often not far behind. There are better and worse tile and shingle materials and there are few that incorporate some very cool technology, such as solar shingles, but oftentimes the best choice for roofing, especially in a place like Ottawa, is metal roofing. Ottawa’s humid summer climate and its harsh winters will test the limits of your entire household and your roof is its first line of defense. Here are some of the main reasons to keep metal roofing in mind if you are in the process of either looking for a new roof or building a new property.

Expected Lifetime of Metal Roofing in Ottawa – As long as metal roofing is installed correctly, it should last as long as the house itself. Most companies will provide a warranty of up to fifty years. Even the paint on metal roofing can have a warranty spanning thirty years. Some tiles and shingles can have lengthy warranties, too, but their appearance often degrades much quicker.

Metal Roofing Stands Up to Bad Weather – Metal roofing is moisture resistant and can withstand winds up to one hundred and forty miles per hour. Snow sheds quickly from the metal, too, limiting the buildup from small to heavy storms and blizzards. These roofs can also be installed with minimum pitch, which is a luxury compared with other types of roofing materials that will often leak when the pitch isn’t sufficiently high. Though the risk isn’t very big with regards to wild fires in Ottawa, metal roofing protects against this, as well. Of course lightning strikes can also cause a fire, but this can be alleviated by grounding the roof.

Metal Roofing in Ottawa Will Insulate Your Home – Believe it or not using metal roofing in Ottawa will not only insulate your home, it will also shave a few dollars off of those terrible heating and air conditioning bills. The metal roof reflects ultra-violet rays, therefore keeping the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. There are also a number of different paints that can amplify this effect, too, which can be especially beneficial in the summer.

The Price is Right – Yes the initial cost of having a metal roof installed isn’t exactly cheap, but the ROI (Return On Investment) is well worth every penny. Can you believe that owning a metal roof in Ottawa can help you save money on insurance? This depends on the insurance company, of course, but it is a possibility. Remember that a metal roof should last a lifetime, it aids with winter and summer energy costs, and best of all it really does look great.

For metal roofing in Ottawa, there’s no one better to trust than London ECO-METAL Manufacturing. We are the roofing contractors concerned about you. We have a fine selection of aluminum and steel roofing and many colours to choose from, too. Let us know if you are interested and we’ll give you a quote.