Making a house a home throughout all seasons of life

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about how metal performs in different environmental conditions. 

Editor’s note: Share this with clients unsure if a metal roof is right for their home. 

A roof is the main line of defense between a home and the natural environment around it. The roof protects the occupants of a house from weather, such as winter storms, and also keeps unwanted house guests, like squirrels and bugs, out. It also keeps the interior space warm and comfortable to live in; a roof truly makes a house a home.  

With such an important job, roofs must be well designed and durable to withstand anything thrown at them. There are many options for materials to make this crucial feature of the home out of, but metal is growing in popularity. Often when many home and business owners think of metal roofs, they imagine a loud barn or shed roof that doesn’t have any insulating qualities. This is no longer accurate to the highly advanced, comfortable metal roofs that exist on the market today. In their knowledge base, Gibraltar Building Accessories has created a simple overview of how modern metal roofs perform in a variety of seasons and environments.  

Precipitation 

Metal roofs perform well under many different types of precipitation. They handle snow and ice well, especially when installed in tandem with snow retention systems. As for the myth of them being noisier than any other materials, modern metal roofs with the proper insulation and underlayment will not be significantly noisier during rainstorms. 

The one thing to be aware of is installing a metal roof in coastal areas with extended saltwater exposure. Certain conditions related to rust along the coast can change how warranties cover your roof. This doesn’t mean a metal roof is bad for a coastal area but just make sure to check the details of the warranty! 

UV exposure 

Stormy weather isn’t the only consideration for a roof, sunny days can also pose challenges. However, this is not a concern with metal roofing panels! Modern metal roofing is incredibly energy efficient. The panels often reflect solar heat which reduces the home’s cooling needs and costs. And for extremely hot areas that get a lot of UV exposure, there are even reflective finishes that can be applied to the metal roofing to further enhance their energy efficiency. 

Other environmental factors 

Metal roofs also perform well in case of natural disasters such as windstorms and fires. They are resistant to high winds with the most powerful of systems capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 150 mph! They are also naturally non-combustible and have a Class A fire rating, making them a safer option if the home is in an area at risk of wildfires. 

These systems can also benefit in unique situations, such as high ammonia environments (something commonly found in areas around chicken coops). Metal is naturally one of the more durable roofing materials with panels that prevent corrosion and degradation. This means for homes in agricultural settings, metal is a great, low-maintenance, long lifespan option.  

To learn more about metal roofs and how they perform in different environments, visit Gibraltar’s knowledge base!