Advantages of Metal Roofs in Ice and Snow

In the words of Lord Eddard Stark, “Winter is coming”.

When we know that the harsh Winter weather is on the way, it is important to take time to make sure that your property is secure and safe from the elements. 

There are plenty of things that you should be doing to protect your home – clearing out the guttering and drains, fixing any gaps in brickwork and around doors and windows and cutting back any trees in your yard. One thing that many people do not consider, however, is their roof.

Your roof is what protects you from the weather. If there are holes or broken tiles, you can find that the structure of your property is severely compromised, and this can end up being very expensive, not to mention the inconvenience that goes along with it.

This is why you need to consider metal roofs, and the benefits that they have in ice, snow and other harsh winter conditions. 

What are the advantages of metal roofs in ice and snow?

It keeps your home warm

We all want a toasty, comfortably warm home when there is ice and snow on the ground. When properly designed and installed, metal roofs can keep the temperature between the attic or loft and the exterior air. This prevents condensation from building up which can reduce the effectiveness of the insulation in the loft. 

In turn, this keeps the heat in your home higher for longer, as warm air is no longer able to escape through your ineffective or damaged roof. This results in lower energy bills and is much more environmentally friendly. 

Winter is no barrier for the installation

Special precautions need to be taken when installing a shingles roof in colder temperatures. However, it does not matter how cold it is, a metal roof can be installed. This is great news if you have left it until now to think about having a new roof!

The snow and ice will not damage your roof

If snow and ice pile up on your standard shingle roof, the weight can damage your roof and guttering. However, the snow and ice will slide straight off a metal roof, preventing ice dams which can cause irreparable damage both to the interior and the exterior of the building. 

Many people worry that because the ice and snow slides straight off the roof, it can damage the areas below it. However snow guards and heating elements in the attic can ensure that the snow and ice melts slowly and safely, protecting everything below it. 

If you want to know more about the advantages of metal roofs in ice and snow, or want to inquire about having one fitted to your house this winter, get in touch with us today at RPS Metal Roofing and Siding Inc. We are Florida’s premier metal roofing company with almost 20 years of experience in installing the best quality metal roofs for ice and snow. Call us today and get your free quote. 

An underlayment is crafted to sit beneath metal roofing, providing thermal protection and weatherproofing for your property. Without the use of an underlayment a metal roof can be extremely loud whenever the rain starts to pour, uncomfortably frosty through the winter months and unbearably warm in the summer, so there’s really no questioning the fact that your metal roof will benefit from the addition of underlayment. However, there are 3 main materials that work well when crafting quality underlayment, and it’s vital that you can find out which is the best style for your specific metal roofing needs. So, what are your options, and which of these should you choose to get the most out of your metal roof underlayment? 

Felt Underlayment 

Felt underlayment is referred to using several different names, including felt paper, roofing tar paper, as well as the more complex chemical name, asphalt-soaked felt. Felt underlayment is likely to be the most common style of metal roof underlayment material used on heavily sloping roofs, making it readily accessible as an easy-to-purchase addition. It’s generally more affordable compared with other styles of underlayment, and it’s super water resistant meaning water is unlikely to penetrate the roof even under harsh weather conditions. Unfortunately there are several disadvantages, such as it’s generally short life span and it’s unsuitability for hot environments. To add to this, the materials used in felt underlayment are not widely recycled, so a large amount of waste product is left when your roof requires an update. 

Synthetic Sheet Underlayment 

Synthetic sheet underlayment is a more modern style which has taken the industry by storm over the last decade. Synthetic sheet underlayment is created by the combination of polyethylene (or polypropylene) and some kind of polymer in order to make a strong protective barrier between the metal roof and the underlayment. It has a considerably longer life when compared with felt underlayment, as it’s much more durable due to the thermoplastic polymers which are resistant to many kinds of damage. In addition, synthetic sheet underlayment functions well in hotter environments, so locations that receive a large amount of sunshine can benefit from the installation of such an underlayment. However, synthetic sheet usually comes with a much higher price tag when compared with felt underlayment, and although it benefits from a low permeability rating, this factor will mean that it’s difficult to achieve good ventilation.

Self Adhering Membrane Underlayment

The complex sounding self adhering membrane underlayment is actually a lot more simple than it sounds, as it is in fact a kind of ‘peel off and stick down’ style that’s made up of a form of rubberized asphalt (or sometimes butyl based adhesive) that is partnered with a polyethylene carrier sheet. Self adhering membrane underlayment works well to prevent ice dam build up in areas such as the eaves, but it can also provide protection for hotter environments which see temperatures of more than 230 degrees. To add to this, SAM underlayment is an efficient air barrier material as it fits completely flush with the surface of substrate. Always ensure you seek an experienced installations expert when utilizing self adhering membrane underlayment, as you may encounter peeling if you fail to attach the underlayment correctly.

It can be one of the worst feelings in the world. You’ve just moved into a new home, started unpacking, glanced at your cell phone… and you don’t have any reception. Phones are a huge part of modern life, and we’ve come to expect and rely on good cell reception wherever we go. When you can’t get a signal in your own home, it can be stressful, and a problem you’ll want to resolve as soon as possible. But what causes it, and how can you fix it?

Do metal roofs cause bad cell reception?

Many people ask if a metal roof could be the cause of their poor cell phone reception at home. Well, the short answer is no, it isn’t! There is no evidence that a metal roof disrupts the signal for your phone any more than another material. If you think about it, this makes sense. After all, do you lose reception every time you go into a mall, or a restaurant, or when you work in an office or warehouse? All these locations often have metal roofs and you see no effect – why should a metal roof on your home be any different?

What are the benefits of metal roofs?

Quite the opposite to causing poor cell phone reception, there are actually a number of great benefits to installing a metal roof for your home. It can stand up to the worst that nature throws at it, from storms to drought to snow, meaning that it can last a very long time without repair – in fact, most metal roofing has an estimated lifespan of 40-70 years. In turn, this makes it a hugely cost-effective option to protect your home, alongside being fireproof and lightweight enough that it will have no effect on the rest of the structure. Plus, it definitely won’t affect your phone signal!

Why am I getting bad cell reception?

There could be a number of reasons why you’re experiencing poor cell reception at home. One key factor is the landscape. If your home is nestled in a deep valley, or even surrounded by tall buildings, this could affect your service – this is because these features are cutting off the ‘line of sight’ between you and the nearest cell phone tower. Another reason is to do with the building materials of your home, and more accurately their thickness. Common construction materials including brick, wood, cement, metal, and energy-saving windows, can impede signals – it is the accumulation of these materials that could be the cause, rather than a single material or item.

How can I improve my cell phone reception at home?

There are several ways you can improve your reception, short of knocking down the walls or moving house! You can use a cell phone booster to help the signal, which works best if it is placed somewhere with good reception, such as a windowsill or on a higher level within the house. Gadgets like a Femtocell can also take advantage of your wifi by plugging into the router and creating a ‘mini cell tower’ within your home that can then use the internet connection to communicate with the wider world.

When it comes to installing metal siding in your home, you’re going to find yourself with a whole lot of decisions to make. You’re going to have to choose the specific type of metal being used. You may have to decide which screws and attachments will give longevity and security. You may even have to choose colours. But one major decision that you can’t take too lightly is whether to opt for horizontal siding or vertical siding for your property. Here’s some information that will help you to make the best decision to suit your needs and preferences!

Horizontal Siding

There are a number of factors that can determine whether horizontal siding is for you or not. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the pros and cons!

Cost

Generally speaking, horizontal siding tends to be a lot less expensive than vertical siding. It is often the cheaper of the two options. This is because it is usually much easier to install than vertical siding, meaning the project takes less time and effort to complete. This makes it ideal for anyone looking for siding on a budget.

Time

As we’ve briefly mentioned, horizontal siding takes less time to install than vertical siding. In fact, the project should be complete in around half the time. So, if you want this work carried out quickly, horizontal siding could be for you.

Appearance

Many homeowners prefer the appearance of horizontal siding. While this is purely down to personal preference, this option does tend to hold more favour when it comes to aesthetics

Durability

If your main focus is durability, this may not be the option for you. Horizontal siding tends to be less durable than vertical siding. This is because it’s more prone to water damage over time. Rain can more easily seep into gaps in horizontal siding than it can vertical siding. It’s also important to bear in mind that if any siding becomes even slightly dislodged, water can begin to easily enter the gap, creating mold and mildew damage.

Cleaning

Horizontal siding tends to be a lot more difficult to clean than vertical siding. A special technique and special equipment need to be used to prevent water from leaking in between the horizontal slats. Vertical siding, on the other hand, can be cleaned with detergent and a garden hose or power washer.

Vertical Siding

Now, let’s take a look at vertical siding. This is less commonly seen on residential properties and tends to be favoured by commercial property owners. However, nowadays, more homeowners are becoming open to the option of vertical siding. Here are some of this siding’s pros and cons!

Unique Aesthetics

As we’ve mentioned earlier, homeowners tend to prefer the aesthetics of horizontal siding. But if you’re looking to help your property stand out from the crowd, vertical siding can help you to achieve this!

Cleaning

As mentioned above, it is much easier to clean vertical siding. This can save you a lot of time in your schedule and also means that you don’t have to invest in specialist equipment to clean your siding effectively.

Time and Cost

Again, we mentioned that vertical siding costs more to install. This is due to the more complex nature of installing it. Furring strips have to be installed between each of the siding pieces. But this is a pro! It protects your siding against water leakage and potential damage. It also means that your siding can last a whole lot longer.

As you can see, there are pros and cons with both types of siding. The best for you will depend purely on your individual wants, needs and preferences!

There are plenty of benefits to adding a metal roof to your property. If you’re looking for a roof that looks good, requires next to no maintenance, and will last for many decades, then a metal roof is the way to go. But of course, a metal roof is not just a metal roof. As with all things, there are different types available, and they’re also available in different colors. If you’re looking to get one of the biggest benefits of adding a metal roof (adding value to your home), then it’s important that you choose a color that’ll push the value in the right direction.

How does it impact resale?

Before we get into how you should choose a color for your roof and get the best metal roof color resale, first, let’s think about how metal roofs impact a property’s value. Perhaps the best way it impacts home value is that a prospective buyer will know that the roof will last a long time. Unlike other materials, which can have a lifespan of around 25 years, metal roofs can last for more than 50 years without being replaced. Metal roofs also reduce energy costs, too, which is a big factor for prospective buyers.

How to get the right color for your property

One of the best things about metal roofs is that they’re available in so many different colors. But it’s not as if all colors will improve your home’s value. In fact, in some cases, the color of the roof could reduce the value (but don’t worry: it would have to be a pretty bold color for this to happen!). 

If you go for a more neutral color, then you’ll appeal to the greatest number of people. And the more people who are interested in your room, the more you can ask for it. But you don’t necessarily have to just select the safest option when it comes to your home. 

When it comes to choosing the best color for your metal roof, think about the following.

Your home’s color scheme

A dark bronze roof would look amazing on one type of property, and not so amazing on another. Before you commit to any particular color, take a look at the overall style and color scheme of your home. The aim will be to choose a color that compliments this style well. 

The surrounding homes

If you have a home that would suit a range of colors, then it’s a good idea to look at your overall neighborhood. An overly bright roof might stand out for all the wrong reasons if all the other homes on the street are understated.

Any local guidelines

It’s a good idea to check if there are any restrictions about the colors you can incorporate into your home, especially if you’re part of a homeowners association. 

Of course, these are just some guidelines — your personal preference should be a factor too. If you’re looking to add a metal roof to your property, be sure to get in touch with RPS Metal Roofing and Siding.