SunRakers Metal Roof FAQ

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FAQ

Commonly Asked Questions about Metal Roofing:

Whether you are building a new home or building or re-roofing and existing one, making the right decisions is important. When looking at all the options available today, you will have a lot of questions about each product. This will be especially true if you have never had or never considered a metal roof before. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding metal roofing products. In this section we hope to answer some of the most commonly asked questions and present you with some important facts for you to consider when selecting your next roof. Just click on the questions below:

* Why should I consider a metal roof?
* Will I have to remove my existing roof?
* How much does metal roofing weigh?
* What will it look like?
* How long will a metal roof last?
* Isn't a metal roof noisy?
* Will my home be hotter with a metal roof?
* Does a metal roof attract lightning?
* Will hail damage a metal roof?
* Isn't a metal roof expensive?
* How is metal roofing ordered?

Question: Why should I consider a metal roof?

Answer: Metal roofing offers a long-lasting alternative to the commonly used and often problem-plagued roofing materials such as asphalt, clay, wood and slate. Metal is one of the most practical roofing materials on the market today. It could be the last roof you will ever need.

Question: Will I have to remove my existing roof?

Answer: * 1521.5: Reroofing shall not be installed on or over an existing deck where the existing roof sheathing has not been fastened in compliance with this code. This means you can not reroof unless the existing roof deck was fastened to today’s code. It won’t be, and you don't have any way to know because it is under the old roof. This means you won't be able to reroof over an existing roof, but will need a new roof. (See our Instructions.)

Question: How much does metal roofing weigh?

Answer: Metal roofing weighs approximately 1 pound per square foot depending on gauge and configuration. Conventional shingles average 2 to 2.5 pounds per square foot. Clay tile weighs about 10 pounds per square foot.

Question: What will it look like?

Answer: Today's buyer of metal roofing can choose from a wide variety of colors and styles. Depending on the type of roofing you select, Union Corrugating offers as many as 15 color choices for your building project. Choose a Performa Shingle roof (6 color choices) for a traditional dimensional shingle look, Shield Ray™ or Flat English hand stamped shingles, Advantage-Lok for the sleek and updated lines of a standing seam roof, or any of our 7 roofing panels for the look you desire. (See our Virtual Roofer.)

Question: How long will a metal roof last?

Answer: Depending upon the specific metal roofing product you select, a metal roof can last 50 years or more. This may be the last roof you will ever need! Metal easily sheds snow and ice and does not absorb water, which can lead to cracking and rotting in freeze-thaw cycling in other materials. Metal will not rot, split, or crack, and is impervious to termites and pests. For the longest life of the metal, ask for our Galvalume coated products. Galvalume coatings come with a 20 year no rust warranty and are projected to last up to 250 years in some environments. Metal can be repainted for a change of look and to enhance the product's life. Environmental factors such as salt spray, industrial emissions and animal waste can reduce the metal's life expectancy.

Question: Isn't a metal roof noisy?

Answer: This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about metal roofing. That's probably because when considering metal roofing people think about old barns and other structures where the metal is visible to the interior. In many residential applications the metal roofing is installed over a solid substrate, additionally, attic space and insulation serve as sound barriers. The fact is metal roofing isn't any noisier than traditional roofing products.

Question: Won't my home be hotter with a metal roof?

Answer: Metal roofing can reflect as much as 70% of the sun's energy. This minimizes the heat retention and as a result less heat is transferred into the building. Research conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center in 1985 showed that metal experienced as much as 34% less heat gain than asphalt shingles. Results indicated that metal roofing offers a similar effect as R-11 insulation during sunny day conditions.

Question: Does a metal roof attract lightning?

Answer: Since lightning is attracted to the highest point, not necessarily metal, a metal roof has no greater chance of being hit by lightning than any other type of roof. In the event your roof should be struck by lightning, a metal roof can help prevent your home from catching fire because it can dissipate the electrical charge. More importantly, a metal roof is noncombustible.

Question: Will hail damage a metal roof?

Answer: Metal roofing should be your first choice when it comes to protecting your roof from hailstorms. Our metal roofing panels come with the highest UL Rating for resistance to damage from impact such as hail. Hail can cause extensive damage to a traditional roof by cracking, splitting and tearing off materials. However, hail will not penetrate a metal roof. In fact, when it comes to providing the highest level of protection from hail, metal roofing continually receives the best rating. For more information visit the Institute for Business & Home Safety's Web site at www.ibhs.org.

Question: Isn't a metal roof expensive?

Answer: Metal roofing is probably the best value roofing material you can select to protect your home, because it can be the last roof you need to install. In fact, on a life cycle cost basis, metal roofing can save you up to 40% over the cost of asphalt shingles. Traditional roofing materials have a limited life expectancy before you face the expense of another re-roofing project. With proper care your new metal roof can last 50 years or more, and with Union Corrugating's 25-year paint warranty, you can be confident that your metal roof will look great for many years. Unlike other roofing products, metal roofing can simply be repainted to achieve a different look or extend the product's life.

Question: How is metal roofing ordered?

Answer: Metal roofing is custom-cut to the inch based on the individual project measurements and panels can be provided up to 40 feet in length. Color matching trim is available in 10', 12', and 20' lengths and flat sheets in 10' lengths. Roll valley and roof edge is also available.

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