Information To Help You Choose The Right Metal Roof Style For Your Home
For many, the idea of a metal roof is a thin tin roof, such as those seen on inexpensive sheds. Fortunately, metal roofing has come a long way and there are many more durable and attractive options available. Even better, metal roofing is long-lasting and durable, and requires very little maintenance once it is installed. Learn about the benefits of the different designs and types of metal roofs to you can make a decision on your next roof.
Panel Roofing
Panel roofing may be the most common style. It consists of panels with vertical seams at regular intervals. The seams are raised where each panel locks together, which has earned panel roofing the nickname "standing seam" roofing. This style of roofing is one of the least expensive options compared to other metal roof types. It is readily available in nearly any color you desire, since the panels can be painted in custom tints.
Metal panels work especially well if you live in an area with heavy snowfall, since the smooth panels combined with a proper pitch causes snow to simply slide off. This design also works well with rainwater collection systems. Panels aren't for every home, though. Their simplicity looks best on wood and masonry homes with a decided mountain look, or on some modern home designs.
Metal Shingles
Shingles are an option that can work well with any home design, because you can find the shingles in any design desired. There are those that resemble traditional asphalt shingles, those that emulate wood shakes, and those that look like tile roofing. Metal shingles that resemble Spanish roof tiles are especially attractive on stucco homes, while those that look like wood shake are an attractive option for homes built in the arts and crafts style of the 1920s and 30s.
Metal shingles cost more than panels, in part due to their design and also because they take longer to install. Each shingle is made of specially formed metal. It then has a topcoat applied to make it resemble the type of shingle it is emulating, such as a gravel textured coat for asphalt. The main drawback is that single shingles can come loose, resulting in leaks, since they aren't solid panels.
Contact a roofing company like GBS Enterprises Roofing to learn more. Not only can they guide you to the option that works best with your home's appearance, they can show you samples of the products so you can get a better idea of what you like in terms of design.