Benefits of reroofing with metal cladding
If you're reroofing your home, you could opt for the same cladding or something different. Two standard options are tiles or metal sheets, and it can be hard to choose between them. To help you decide, consider the benefits of metal.
Lightweight Nature
Metal sheets aren't as thick and heavy as concrete and terracotta tiles, which are heavy when laid en masse over an entire roof. Metals' lightweight nature helps speed the installation process and keep reroofing costs down. Also, each sheet covers a larger expanse than a small tile, so the job can be completed quicker. Ease of installation will especially help if your home has a complex roof with steep ridges that can drive up the installation cost. A lighter roof also helps to protect a building's structure. If you own a sprawling house, a metal roof is less likely to cause issues than heavier cladding.
Fits Different Roof Structures
Metal also doesn't require a complex roof structure underneath the cladding. A roof skeleton consists of an array of horizontal and vertical timber or metal beams. Because tiles are smaller, they need closely spaced horizontal roof battens, one for each tile row. But metal sheets are larger and they don't require as extensive a framework, which takes time to construct.
Versatile Design
Metal sheets are versatile as they can cover any roof shape, from one with multiple peaks and valleys to a simple flat or skillion roof. Metal can also be bent to create a striking curved roof, which rigid tiles cannot achieve. Additionally, the corrugated appearance of metal sheets flatters many home styles, including traditional, industrial, or modern. You can put metal cladding on a vintage home, a beach house, or a shed because of its timeless look. You just need to pick a colour that will suit your style. Doing so won't be a problem as metal roofs come in various hues. Some are muted and earthy, like sand, brown and charcoal. But you can also get brighter reds and greens. If you want to stay true to a country cottage, you could opt for silver.
Works in Varied Weather Conditions
Metal cladding also suits all types of weather, from snow and rain to bright sunshine. In alpine regions, snow can get stuck between tiles and work its way underneath to create moisture problems. But the grooves and continuous metal sheeting lets the snow slide to the ground. As far as rain goes, metal roofs come in different configurations to cope with light spitting rain and a deluge. Some channels in metal roofs are deeper and can hold more water than other profiles. Your contractor can advise you on what's best for your climate. Metal roofing is also perfect for scorching sunshine. You can opt for cladding with pigments that deflect solar heat away from your home, thus keeping it cooler in summer. Or else, choose a light-coloured roof, which will reflect more heat than a darker hue.