The Environmental Benefits Of A Metal Roof

Metal roofs are a wise investment when it’s time to replace your roof. One of the most environmentally-friendly roofing options, metal is sustainable, recyclable, optimizes home energy efficiency, and outlives asphalt shingles – creating less need for new production or waste materials.

5 Eco-Friendly Benefits Of A Metal Roof System

An annual inspection from a licensed roofer is the first step in determining whether or not your roof needs replacement. If your roof is in good shape, we recommend keeping it in place since tearing it out means throwing all the materials into a landfill. However, once it is time to think about replacing your roof, metal roofs are a wise and sustainable choice.

They are recyclable and made from recycled materials

Metal roofs are environmentally friendly from the outset. First, most metal roofs sold in the United States use a minimum of 25% recycled metals – and some metal roofs have as much as 95% recycled content – that’s about as re-used/repurposed as you can get in the roofing industry. Once the metal roof has completed its lifecycle, which is much longer than almost any other standard roofing option, it is 100% recyclable.

Metal roofs have a lifespan of at least 40 years

A well-maintained metal roof has a lifespan of at least 40 years, and many last for twice that long or longer. That is at least twice as long as the average asphalt shingle roof, and metal roofing manufacturers offer exceptional warranties due to their product’s longevity.

They are considered “cool” roofs

There are a variety of roofing materials that are considered “cool.” As the DOE states:

A cool roof is designed to reflect more sunlight than a conventional roof, absorbing less solar energy. This lowers the temperature of the building just as wearing light-colored clothing keeps you cool on a sunny day.

Most cool roofs are lighter in color and have more reflective properties than their standard counterparts. Metal roofs with reflective coatings are exceptionally good at reflecting sunlight into the sky due to their consistently flat planes. There are several benefits to installing a cool metal roof:

• Cooler home interiors. Attic temperatures can rise to 150°F or higher on a sunny day, even in the Bay Area. This heat transfers into adjacent living spaces, elevating temperatures there as well. In multi-story buildings, this can make for exceptionally hot second and third-floor rooms. Deflecting heat back into the atmosphere significantly lowers attic temperatures and temperatures in the home. If you’re replacing your roof, ensure you have adequate attic insulation and ventilation, which are also essential to the whole-home energy efficiency equation.
• Reduced utility bills. If your home is cooler during the summer months, you’ll use far less electricity to cool your home. This results in notably reduced utility spending. Some homeowners, especially those whose homes experience full daytime sun, save hundreds – and even up to $1000 or more – dollars per year once they replace their roof with a cool roof model.
• Lower HVAC maintenance costs. The less the AC runs, the less wear and tear it experiences, which helps to protect its parts. This leads to fewer HVAC repair and replacement costs over its lifetime.
• You’re part of the heat island solution. Temperatures in communities with more concrete, asphalt, and darker roofs are higher than those with cool roofs, permeable ground surfaces, and more trees/greenery. Homeowners who invest in metal roofs become part of their community’s heat island solution, making things more comfortable for everyone and increasing collective energy efficiency.

Smaller HVAC equipment is required to cool the home

When you’re ready to replace your HVAC system, the combination of a cool metal roof, adequate insulation and ventilation, and whole-home air sealing may mean your home can downsize the HVAC. 

Home heating and cooling systems, including ductwork, are designed and sized based on a variety of factors, many of which include the type of roof you have. By upgrading to a cool metal roof and optimizing whole-home efficiency, you may

Reduced maintenance means decreased environmental impact

Metal roofs need less maintenance than asphalt and other roofing products. Other than annual roof inspections to monitor things, your metal roof may never need significant maintenance. It won’t crack, rust, or peel. There are no shingles to fall off or chip. The less maintenance your roof needs, the fewer materials are necessary to maintain it, and less fossil fuel is used in transporting materials or roofing professionals for repairs or replacements. 

Contact Central Bay Roofing To Learn More About Metal Roof Benefits

Are you interested in making the change from shingles to metal roofing? We don’t blame you. The versatility of metal roofs – along with their energy-efficient benefits – make them an ideal choice for Bay Area homeowners. Contact Central Bay Roofing & Restoration to schedule an appointment and learn more about whether a metal roof is the best choice for your next roof.