Metal Roofing: What You Need to Know

23 June 2016
 Categories: , Blog

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If you are thinking about re-roofing your home, you might be considering the different materials on offer. One material you might not have considered is metal. Metal roofs have traditionally been used on commercial properties but because of the durability and fire protection they offer, they are becoming increasingly popular among residential home owners. Below are 4 things you need to know when considering a metal roof.

It can be laid over the top of your existing roof

Because of its superb weight-to-strength ratio, metal roofing can be installed over the top of the existing roofing structure on your home. This can potentially save you both time and money because the roofing contractor will not have to spend time removing the existing roof tiles. Before they lay a metal roof over the existing roof, the contractor will inspect the existing structure to ensure it does not contain any holes or leaks.

It can affect your mobile phone signal

One possible downside to installing a metal roof on your home is that it may affect the strength of your mobile phone signal. Your mobile phone works by sending and receiving radio waves. While the radio waves can easily penetrate concrete, wood and brick, metal can form an impenetrable barrier. Talk to your contractor if this is a concern for you so you can work together to fix the issues. Also, investing in a mobile phone booster kit may be a solution to this problem.

You have a choice of design options

When you think of a metal roof, you might imagine the unsightly grey roofing you see on commercial or industrial buildings. The unattractiveness of this image is what prevents a lot of homeowners from considering a metal roof for their home. However, metal roofs can now be produced in a range of colours and designs. You can even have a metal roof which is painted to closely resemble another material such as wood, slate or stone. This allows you to benefit from the strength and durability of a metal roof while also enjoying the look of a more traditional roofing material.

They aren't as noisy as they used to be

Another factor which often puts people off considering a metal roof is the noise level inside their home. While it is true that heavy rain would once cause a lot of noise when it hit a metal roof, that is no longer the case. Modern metal roofs are now insulated using thick layers of foam, which helps to reduce noise levels inside your property.