If you are thinking about having a new roof installed on your North Carolina home in the near future, you have probably heard glowing reviews of metal roofing. While this roofing material certainly has its share of positive attributes, it is essential for you also to understand its downsides before you decide what type of roof is best for your upcoming exterior renovation. In this guide, you will find out about some of the not-so-great features of metal roofing and discover alternative options you may want to consider.
- Metal roofing can fade – In regard to fading, metal roofing hasn’t come as far as many other types of materials. As a matter of fact, it’s common to see metal roofs that started out as forest green or bright red look nearly pastel just a few years after installation. Even though one of the selling points of metal roofs is that they typically have 40-year warranties, these do not typically cover fading or discoloration. In fact, in many cases, these lengthy warranties only cover rusting and manufacturer defects.
- Metal roofing may not hold-up to coastal weather – Since both North Carolina and South Carolina have coastlines, it’s important to consider your home’s proximity to saltwater before you decide to invest in a metal roof. Because metal generally rusts when it comes into close contact with water on a regular basis, choosing this roofing material if you live by the ocean may not bode well in the long run. Even if your warranty covers rust, having an entire roof replaced is a somewhat annoying process that is easy to avoid by choosing a different roofing material.
- Metal roofs require more maintenance than you think – For many manufacturers, the fact that metal roofs supposedly require very little maintenance is a major selling point. In reality, however, there is regular upkeep associated with metal roofing. For example, the screws and gaskets that hold the roof onto your house will probably need to be tightened or changed altogether every five to eight years. Your warranty probably won’t cover these items, so you will need to purchase them yourself. Furthermore, if your metal roof develops a leak, the cost to fix it could be high.
At this point, you are probably wondering what other roofing options you have. Luckily for you, today’s homeowners can choose from a wide variety of materials. Traditional asphalt shingles, for instance, look better than ever. Some brands even offer architectural shingles that have three-dimensional textures meant to mimic other materials, including wood shakes and ceramic tiles. Shakes and tiles are both more costly than metal roofs, but they are beautiful options that will stand the test of time.
No matter what type of roofing you decide to use on your home, the most important thing is to have a reputable installer do the job for you. As you start researching Carolina roofing contractors, make sure you only consider those professionals who have excellent reviews from past clients. You may also want to ask around for word-of-mouth recommendations from friends, family members, and colleagues. Sometimes, the best way to find out about great home improvement experts is to talk to people, you know.