This post may contain references and links to products from our advertisers. We may receive commissions from certain links you click on our website. As an Amazon Associate Rhythm of the Home earns revenues from qualifying purchases.
Metal roofs have become quite popular among residential homeowners. Despite their multiple advantages, some people still believe in common myths and may be reluctant to purchase a roof made of metal. It’s somewhat understandable considering the association of this roofing material type with industrial buildings or barns. Metal roofs don’t seem to appear particularly practical or attractive for a residential home.
As we’ll explore and debunk the most common myths regarding metal roofs, you will realize that you’re missing out on a high-quality roofing choice. There’s a lot of information circulating out there when it comes to the features of metal roofs. It’s time to separate fact from fiction and figure out whether metal roofs are suitable for your home. This roofing type went through multiple transformations considering the advancements in manufacturing technologies. Let’s clear out the most essential misconceptions about metal roofs.
1. Extra-Loud During Rain
While there’s a considerable noise when rain hits a metal surface, that doesn’t mean you will experience a very loud effect when you’re inside a house featuring a metal roof. Modern homes make use of a reliable roof deck as well as sufficient insulation to keep the noise down. The entire structure of a metal roof plays an important role in terms of muffling sounds of rain.
Metal roofs aren’t louder than other roofing types. In fact, the opposite might be true in some cases. If you’re concerned about excessive rain noises, it’s better to focus on other elements of your roofing system. This myth most likely gained traction from the experience of rain in a barn protected by a metal roof. It’s safe to say that without a proper muffling structure, any roof will seem extra loud in the rain.
2. Walking Difficulties
Depending on their design style, metal roofs are generally more slippery than other roofing options. This fueled the belief that it’s extremely dangerous to walk on a metal roof whenever you have to perform maintenance or various cleaning operations. Safety precautions should be taken regardless of the material of your roof.
This is a pervasive myth that makes many homeowners afraid of the idea of walking on a metal roof. It’s good to know that it’s perfectly safe to walk on it. There’s not a huge difference compared to asphalt or clay roofs. Similar to any other roofing style, make sure you’re aware of the manufacturer’s safety instructions to avoid any accidents. Ask your roofing contractor if the problem of walking on the surface of the roof is concerning you.
3. Metal is Vulnerable to Rust
While it’s true that many raw metals are susceptible to rust, this doesn’t mean you need to expect a metal roof to run into this problem. Thanks to advancements in manufacturing technology, metal roofs nowadays are reinforced with other materials or rely on a mixture of metals for dependable long-term durability. Metal roofs are designed carefully to prevent rusting after exposure to the outdoor elements.
Corrosion control is a critical step for many manufacturers in the metal roofing industry. A high-quality metal roof in this day and age makes use of a galvanized coating while the alloy materials make it rustproof. The roof is thoroughly painted to withstand weathering so there’s really no need to worry about rust when it comes to metal roofing.
4. The House Gets Hot From it
Metal roofs are sometimes avoided due to the mistaken belief that they will heat up the house. It’s not clear how this myth became so popular but it’s simply not true considering the efficient ability of a metal surface to dissipate heat. It will reflect the intense energy emitted by the sun instead of absorbing it like other roofing materials. This translates to a reduced heat load on your home.
The metal roof on a house works in a similar way to the metal hood of a car. It will get very hot to the touch but cools fast in the shade. Just like the hood of your vehicle protects the engine and other components from the harsh solar heat, the metal roof of the house prevents an excessive transmission of heat towards interior living areas. It might sound counterintuitive for some people but metal roofing is actually able to bring you significant energy savings on cooling.
5. Poor Phone Service
This is another common myth that refers to the ability of a metal roof to interfere with the quality of a mobile phone’s signal reception. It’s safe to say that you’ve probably already debunked this myth by yourself when using your smartphone in various industrial or commercial buildings such as shopping malls.
While there is no connection between a metal roof and poor cell phone service, it’s worth mentioning that existing disruptions can be made worse by this type of roofing. In that case, the roof acts as a barrier against RF signals. However, this isn’t strictly a problem with metal roofing. Other thick materials used for the roof can also contribute to signal disruption.
6. Attracting Lightning
Although metal is an electrical conductor, it doesn’t mean that metal roofing increases the likelihood of your home being struck by lightning. Even in the unlucky event of this happening, the force of the lighting is more easily dispersed through the metal roof. Lightning tends to discharge on the closest object as it travels down to the ground. That’s typically a tall tree or telephone pole.
In conclusion, lightning isn’t drawn to a metal roof even if the material has great conductive properties. You’re just as likely to be struck by lightning if the house relies on asphalt or other types of roofing material. An important difference is that metal is non-combustible so you should be safer against the danger of your roof catching fire if lightning hits it.
7. Hail Denting
Metal roofing has this reputation of being easily dented by hail but this is purely a misconception. A metal roof offers reliable durability as it’s designed to withstand hazardous weather such as hail. Theoretically, high-quality metal roofing should be stronger against shock damage compared to standard options such as asphalt.
While hail isn’t damaging to a metal roof, there are some extreme weather events that can cause dents. If you live in an area that’s affected by very big hail, it’s likely that your roof will be dented regardless of the material choice. All in all, metal roofing is superior to many other options when it comes to facing extreme weather.
8. Heavy Load
Some homeowners believe that metal roofing is impractical for most residential purposes because it’s too heavy. You might be surprised to find out that metal roofs are actually pretty lightweight when compared with the more commonly used asphalt roofing types. It puts such a small load on a structure that homeowners can opt for installing a new metal roof directly on top of the existing one.
Metal roofing doesn’t pose any danger to the structural integrity of a house. It’s usually the recommended choice if you’re worried about putting additional stress on the roof deck with a heavy load. You can also take advantage of solid weatherproofing abilities by switching to a metal roof. Many roofing contractors prefer this material to work with because it’s more convenient to install and transport.
9. Visually Unappealing
When you think of a metal roof, the first image that probably comes to mind is one of an industrial tin roof. Roofing technology has come a long way so that you can now enjoy more attractive designs and styles for metal roofs. The idea that this kind of roof material is severely lacking in visual appeal is just a myth.
A great advantage of metal roofing is the ability to replicate the style of other materials while taking advantage of lower maintenance work needed. There’s excellent decor potential for the exterior of the home if you choose a metal roof. It can be easily styled according to your aesthetic preferences. Keep in mind that residential roofing is very much different than dull sheet metal used for industrial buildings.
10. Very Expensive Costs
When you check the market prices, there’s no denying that metal roofing is more expensive than classic asphalt shingles or other common choices. However, upfront costs may not be that relevant once you take into account long-term durability. Thanks to being easier to maintain in proper working condition, metal roofing is usually much more cost-effective compared to others.
The idea that you need to spend a lot for a metal roof is a myth considering how this is a great investment in the long run. You will surely make solid money savings on repair costs down the road when taking into account the longer lifespan. Metal roofs are rated to last around 40 years while requiring minimal maintenance. It’s up to you to decide whether the higher upfront costs are worth it.
