Cost Effective and Long Lasting Metal Roof Shingles
Dec 30th, 2008
When considering a re-roofing project or even roofing a house or commercial structure for the first time, metal roof shingles are a great choice for a variety of reasons.
Although they are not as inexpensive as asphalt roofing shingles, which run around sixty to one hundred dollars per square, they are not much more expensive, yet last anywhere from ten to twenty years longer than asphalt shingles.
In addition, they do not have the expense of tile or slate roofing shingles, yet the variety of looks and textures that are available in metal roofing shingles allows the consumer to achieve the same look for his roof at a fraction of the cost.
Benefits
Besides being average in cost for roofing materials, metal roof shingles offer other benefits as well. One benefit is that metal roofing shingles are lightweight, and as such they do not require as much structural support as other roofing materials such as tile or slate, thus saving additional cost.
Because the metal roofing shingles are lightweight, they are also easier to manage for the roofing crew, usually only needing a forklift to move the materials rather than cranes, which also saves on cost. Since the shingles fit together nicely, it also makes them easy to install.
In addition, metal roof shingles can also be insulated, which saves on the cost of additional roofing insulation. The two metal sheets are infused with liquid insulation foam which expands until it fills all the airspace between the metal sheets. After that it is hung to dry so that it forms one solid, insulated piece, which provides uniform insulation for the roof.
Although standing seam metal roofs are the most well known, where the sheets are hooked together side by side through concealed fasteners so that it looks like one solid sheet of ridged metal, rather than shingles.
There are almost unlimited varieties of metal roofing shingles available today, however, so that the consumer can fit the shingles to the style of the house or office. These metal roofing shingles can look like tile or slate, as well as traditional shingles and can come in a variety of colors.
Metal roofing shingles are long lasting, usually having a warrantee up to fifty years from the manufacturer. They are also weather resistant, especially in high winds, and are galvanized with zinc oxide so that they resist corrosion and oxidation that could damage the metal. These shingles also do not absorb water like other roofing material, so there is no mold damage or moss problem.



