What Homeowners Need to Know Before a Roof Replacement or Remodel

When homeowners decide to upgrade their roof, the most common question is, “What type of roof is best for my home?”
Since your roof serves as a barrier against fire, hail, ice, rain, snow and wind, there’s a lot riding on this investment. Roofing choices run the gamut, from heavy asphalt shingles to fragile clay tiles. And while all roofing materials offer some level of protection, certain materials–like stone-coated metal–provide more value than other materials.
Combining durability, longevity and versatility, metal roofing is rapidly emerging as a leading choice among homeowners nationwide. Consider the following factors when deciding what roofing material is best for your roof replacement or remodel.

Fire

All city, state and county building codes require minimum standards for fire resistance depending upon the building type. The UL 790 (ASTM E 108) Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings rates roofing material performance when exposed to fire sources originating from outside the building. To meet UL standards, roof coverings must provide a degree of protection against flame penetration to the underlying deck and the attic space without producing flying embers, or slipping from their installed position.

Hail and Storm Debris Impact

Just walking on a clay tile roof for maintenance can lead to fractured tiles, so you can imagine the damage that hailstones at high-velocity winds can cause. Wood shingles and shakes fare better, but as wood ages it becomes more brittle and can split, making the roof more susceptible to hail damage and wind uplift. Similar to wood, asphalt shingles initially fare well against hail, but shingles wear out quickly and become increasingly susceptible to damage from small hailstones.

Ice and Snow

Have you ever noticed how ice dams form at a roof’s eave? This happens when heat loss through the roof melts snow on its surface. The meltwater then flows to the eave overhang where it refreezes. This ongoing process causes ice to build up and creates a dam that prevents water from properly draining off the roof. Consequently, pooled water can back up and go under the roofing system to cause cracks, leaks and other issues. This can shorten the lifespan of traditional roofing products due to constant expansion and shrinkage.

Wind Uplift

Asphalt, tile and wood have significant shortcomings when it comes to wind. Wood shakes, for example, tend to split and loosen around the fasteners making them extremely prone to wind uplift. Easily fractured clay tiles are also highly prone to wind uplift, with few backed by any type of wind warranty. With repeated wet-dry cycles, asphalt shingles are prone to cupping, splitting, warping, delaminating and loosening around the fasteners, which can increase the risk for wind uplift.

Wind-Driven Rain

Traditional roofing materials that are prone to wind uplift also leave the roof deck vulnerable to wind-driven rain, or rain that is driven into your home by the wind. This force adds stress to the underlying structure of the roof, causing asphalt shingles and wood shakes to crack and warp.

If your home relies on asphalt shingles, clay tiles, or wood shakes to withstand any of the elements listed above, your home could be at risk for costly damage.

Roofing Colors, Styles and Textures

The goal with any renovation is to enhance the design of your home. And since your roof is one of the first things people see, you’ll want to choose a material that adds curb appeal without sacrificing durability or longevity.

SANGOBUILD Metal Roofing products combine the strength of multi-layered steel with acrylic bonded granular stone coatings to replicate the style of asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and wood shakes. This helps to retain the original elegance of your home without sacrificing on strength or style.

Our profiles also come in a wide range of colors, styles and textures that suit the most discerning of tastes. Our metal roofs can augment any color scheme or style. The versatility of stone-coating means that we can even create a custom color to perfectly suit the aesthetics of your home.