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5 Metal Roof Myths Dispelled

Article written by by Lisbeth Tanz and originally posted on October 9, 2009 at Improve Your Home And Garden web site:

http://www.improveyourhomeandgarden.com/5-metal-roof-myths-dispelled

For full article use the link above.

Quick! What’s the hottest trend in residential roofing today? Metal. But first let’s first dispel a few myths about metal roofs:

Myth #1: Metal roofs are hot and don’t insulate the house as well as asphalt shingles.

Truth: Metal roofs actually save money on heating and cooling bills when properly installed. Depending upon the finish of the metal and the net air space created, metal roofs reflect much of the solar radiation typically absorbed by an asphalt roof. The result is a home that stays a more consistent temperature, which means no more wild temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

Myth #2: Metal roofs attract lightning.

Truth: According to the Metal Roof Alliance, a metal roof does not increase the likelihood of lightning striking your home. But if your home was hit by lightning, the metal roof disperses the energy safely throughout the structure. Besides the strike itself, the big concern with a lightning is fire. The great news is, metal roofing isn’t combustible or flammable, so it’s a low-risk and better roofing option where severe weather is a concern.

Myth #3: Metal roofs don’t last as long as asphalt shingles.

Truth: Quality metal roof workmanship warranties come with a 20-year guarantee, unlike asphalt roof warranties that are at the discretion of the contractor, says Tracy J. Scott, owner of Best Metal Roof Period in High Ridge, MO. The key to metal roof longevity, Tracy says, is a comprehensive installation by a master metal roofer. Metal roofs require special skills and knowledge to be installed properly. “Not just anyone can install a metal roof properly,” he says. “It takes at least 4-5 years to become proficient at metal roof installation–and proficient is the minimum standard homeowners should look for when seeking a contractor.”

Myth #4: Metal roofs don’t offer much benefit.

Truth: First, see #1 above. Currently, you can also receive a $1,500 tax credit on most metal roof products and/or installations that meet energy star ratings. Energy Star-qualified roof products can help reduce the amount of air conditioning needed by reducing peak cooling demands by 10%-15%. (You can find out more details about Energy Star requirements from the EPA’s Department of Energy website.)

Myth #5: Metal roofs are cost-prohibitive compared to asphalt roofs.

Truth: Metal roofs may cost more than asphalt shingles up front. However, as petroleum-based product costs go up – and asphalt shingles are petroleum-based – the cost difference is less than it was a few years ago. Typically, you can expect to pay two to four times more for a metal roof. But if you run a pay-back analysis and figure in the annual energy savings in your heating and cooling bills (depending upon the region you live in), plus the $1,500 tax credit, a metal roof can pay for itself in just a few years. Additionally, according to the Metal Roof Alliance, asphalt roofing has a higher lifecycle cost, needing replacement 2 – 4 times as often as metal roofing. And what happens when you claim frequent roof repairs on your homeowners policy? So doing an apples-to-apples replacement roof comparison requires looking at all the costs: homeowner premiums, electrical costs, and warranties. Comparatively, metal roofing can be a “once-a-lifetime” installation.

Below are the six criteria Tracy Scott recommends for homeowners evaluating metal roof contractors. He says they’re best practices that Best Metal Roof Period, his company, adheres to for professional metal roof installations that last the lifetime of the warranty.

Be sure contractors you request bids from are metal roofing contractor experts.
Closely related is the qualification process. How long have they been in business? How many years have they installed metal roofs? What trade associations do they belong to? What certifications do they have?
Talk to the installer or the project foreman who will actually do your roofing job.
Get at least 3 estimates.
Ask for and check references.
Demand a minimum 20-year, transferable workmanship warranty (material warranties last from 30-50 years).

In sports you often hear that the best defense is a good offense. This is especially true in the home improvement industry. “Do your homework before you spend that $15,000,” Tracy says, which is the average cost of a metal roof in St. Louis. “A metal roof will help your home appraise for up to 3% more if you don’t plan to sell right away. That’s a pretty sound investment.” His final advice? Arm yourself with knowledge so that when you talk metal roofing, you understand the language, terminology and requirements necessary for a quality installation. Don’t be in a hurry to get it done. You may be able to put up new asphalt shingles fast, but, “Just like driving a car, speed kills.”

Gutter System Installation and Parts

A full system contains external gutters with all accessories necessary for assembly. The system is made from deep-drawn sheet with zinc coating 275g/m2 or Aluzinc 185g/m2 with a S.P.T. layer, protected with a 50-micron layer of polyurethane on both sides.

Visit our product page to see basic information about the gutter system, or visit our document section for full information as a PDF download*.

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Reducing, reusing, recycling not a fad but a reality – Excerpts

Article written by Sue Richards – a social entrepreneur, artist and cultural animator whose website is www.breastofcanada.com. She is also a member of the Mercury’s Community Editorial Board.

Link to original article – http://www.breastofcanada.com/editorial10.html

Hence my confusion. My understanding of parenting and grand parenting is the desire to leave the offspring with a brighter future, not a nasty, toxic mess of immeasurable size and unmentionable consequences.

Fast forward to today. I am in serious need of a new roof on my house. I could make the process very easy on myself and request “brown” then write a cheque. But, given my concern for the future, I can’t do that in good consciousness. Instead, I am compelled to weigh out the triple bottom line of my decision.

A triple bottom line includes the single bottom line that dominates most business transactions. Economics. Unfortunately, economics all by itself, does not reflect the full or true cost of doing any business. It never did. You can be sure that the price of trucking used styrofoam cups to St.Thomas and burying them, was never, ever considered when those cups was being made.

Back to my roof. Do I go with steel or asphalt? What becomes of the existing shingles? Will they be land filled or recycled? If they are land filled, what are the consequences? How does the process of producing steel roofing measure against asphalt shingle production? What is the expected lifespan of these products? What can I afford?

Much of the advice I have received seems disturbingly short sighted. I¹m asked why I would want to invest in a new roof that will outlive me and told, better to go cheapest. Another words, only look at the single bottom line.

Reducing, reusing and recycling is not a fad. It is our reality. Every child that you know is depending on you to use prior knowledge, take correction and stop making more of a mess of this world. Enough is enough.

Today is the first day of September. For many of us, this point in the calendar feels more like the new year than the frozen celebration that comes in January. Please use this opportunity to take a loving look at your rosy cheeked darlings. Then, take an honest appraisal at your short sighted habits. Now, make a triple bottom line resolution that will outlive you.

Roof Home Improvement Costs for 2011 – Ontario

The following costs are intended as rough estimates for repairs and improvements to a typical three bedroom home.

Strip and re-roof with steel shingles: $6.00-$8.00 per sq/ft
Strip and re-roof with aluminum shingles: $5.50-$7.25 per sq/ft
Steel sheet roofing: $6.00-$10.00 and up per sq/ft

Visit our main web site to find out the approximate cost of your new metal roof and compare it with other types of roofs, but most importantly to compare it with our competitive pricing, then request free estimate or contact us in London, Toronto or Ottawa Ontario:

Cost Comparison Interactive Form

Estimate Request Form

Heat Loss Problem

Heat loss is the term for heat that escapes through the ceiling of the home into the attic, then eventually through the roof deck. Proper air flow or circulation will have a large effect on reducing the amount of heat that escapes through the roof deck. The only way to correct a heat loss issue is through a combination of proper ventilation and proper insulation.

In the illustration above, what is happening is that the snow on the roof is creating a “cold zone”. When the heat in the attic escapes through the roof deck it melts the bottom layer of the snow sitting on the roof. When this melt water crosses the exterior wall of the house, it hits another “cold zone” which then causes the water to freeze when it reaches the ice and builds layer upon layers of ice.

As illustrated, the “ice dam” allows the snow on the roof to build up which now traps the cold on the deck of the roof. Because there is a “cold zone” right on the roof deck, this can cause frost to form inside the roof and as this frost melts it will create a leak inside the house. It is important to realize that the roof is not leaking, but rather frost has formed inside the roof and is now melting the leak.

Installing metal roof is definitely the way to avoid the above problem as properly installed metal roofing provides appropriate ventilation.

Reflective Roofing

Metal is highly reflective: This involves solar radiation being reflected away from the surface.

Metal roof conducts less heat into the attic: Metal roofing, due to the air cavity behind the single and the limited direct contact with the deck, conduct significantly less heat into the attic.

Asphalt Shingles: Asphalt Shingles can retain heat and conduct it into the home, raising attic temperatures

Metal Panels: Metal Roofing reflect heat away from the home, keeping the attic cooler.

Watch This Video Before Your Next Roof Purchase

Hitting the Roof – More with Mike Holmes

An extended interview with Mike Holmes about roof repair, and contractor warning signs.

Watch This Video Before Your Next Roof Purchase

For protection overhead, metal is the way to go

Originally posted on November 23, 2007 in The Globe and Mail by Mike Holmes.

I love metal roofs – they really stand the test of time. Think of those old barns and farmhouses with metal roofs, still holding up centuries later. Some copper roofs on churches and government buildings are over 500 years old – even high-grade asphalt shingles will only give you a 30 year guarantee.

Yes, they are more expensive – a metal roof will definitely cost you more than an asphalt shingle roof – but they’re still less expensive than slate, tile or cedar shake. And they will last a lot longer.

View full article here.

Are home improvements a wise investment for potential sellers?

Originally posted in Toronto Sun on Friday, November 26, 2004 – SUN Real Estate section.

By Sam McDadi, Remax Performance.
View full article on author’s Facebook page.

Many Sellers that I encounter want to know which improvements would be worthy of undertaking prior to putting their home on the market.

I will share with you studies that reveal the approximate percentage of investment you can expect to get back when you sell your home.

Improvements that yield the highest returns include: roof replacement (88%)…

Go to our website to learn more about metal roof replacement.

Homeowners hit the roof

By SHARON SINGLETON, QMI AGENCY

Access original copy of the article at THE TRIBUNE

Abstract:

That 25-year warranty on your brand new roof may not be as iron-clad as you think, with legal experts and the country’s leading consumer group warning that Canada falls short when it comes to policing product warranties.

Caledon, Ont., homeowner Mark Florence has learned the hard way that a long-term roofing guarantee may still leave you seriously out of pocket if something goes wrong after the first five years.

His shingle roof, which was just two years old when he bought his property, is now in a bad state of disrepair after just 11 years, far short of the 25-year warranty period.

Yet, once the company involved, IKO, had pro-rated the warranty, it told him less than half of the products would be replaced and he would have to pay for the expensive disposal and labour costs.

View “Documents“* section on our website to learn about our “Limited 50 Years Warranty Galvanized Pre-Painted Polyester Mat“, “Limited 50 Years Warranty for Aluminum Product” and “Warranty Certificate” sample.

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