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Metal or Tin Roof on Barn

Metal / Tin Roofing
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Metal roofs have gone through many iterations through the years. Decades ago, corrugated metal roofing with exposed fasteners was most commonly used on outbuildings and barns. Standing seam metal roofs, with their upgraded hidden fastener feature, made it a better option for installing on homes. Then, new options of clay tile, wood shake, and slate look-alikes came on the market too. Now you can have a metal roof of any color and style that appeals to you!

Metal roofs can look like sleek smooth metal, wood, stone, or clay. There are so many styles available they easily exist in harmony installed on a Spanish Colonial house, Modern or Traditional Church, a Victorian Townhome or other buildings. When viewed from street level, the metal roofs offer excellent faux looks. In addition, they have the advantage of being wind resistant but lighter-in-weight than traditional clay and slate roofs which may be too heavy for existing roof joists. Metal roofs are also suitable for a wide range of slopes, from steep to low slope.

Copper Sheeting for Low-Pitch Roof

Machine Press for Steel Rolls

Steel Roll on Train

Residential Metal Roofing Materials

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Homes, churches and small businesses, can have beautiful and unique long-lasting roofs installed using roofing materials fashioned from metal roofing sheets made of steel, aluminum, or copper. 

Steel is fashioned into rolls of 24 or 26-gauge sheets. To prevent rust, the steel is given metallic coatings of zinc (galvanizing) or a mix of aluminum and zinc (galvalume or zincalume). The galvalume coating offers the longer service, but all coatings are offered in various thicknesses. The sheets are finished off with a baked on painted finish that comes in many colors and finish quality.

Aluminum sheets don’t need the rust protective coating but they do get painted.
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Copper is often called a natural metal product as it is neither coated or painted because it weathers without rusting to a much-desired green patina.

These metal rolls are used in machine presses to stamp out different forms and designs. Some are in the forms of panels and others are shingles or shakes.

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Metal Panel Roof

Metal Shingle Colors

Metal Shingled Roof

​Metal Shingles & Panels

Metal shingles are usually made of common metals, such as galvanized steel, aluminum and to a lesser extent copper and zinc. They are manufactured into various designs with a stamping press. They come in many colors and styles (like natural slate or cedar shake). 
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Metal panels come in 3 options - a foam insulation backed panel, exposed fastener panel and seamless interlocking panel. Speed of installation is quick, especially with the larger panels. Large panels of metal roofing will expand and contract with the weather so they are installed with special fasteners to allow this movement.

​Metal Roofs & Wrong Assumptions

• Metal conducts electricity, but does not draw electricity to itself, so there is no increased likelihood of a lightning strike over other roof types. The tallest structure in the environment will be prey to lightning. Lightning will follow the quickest path to ground. Also, if lightning does strike your roof, it will follow gutters and downspouts to ground or, if you don't have gutters and downspouts, it will follow plumbing or wiring to ground - either way you’re in a safe spot.
• A residential metal roof will not make your house colder in winter. Keeping warm in your home depends on the insulation under the roofing system or on top of the attic floor.
• Metal residential roofs are not noisier in a rain storm than other roof types, as they contain the same attic space and insulation that will deaden the sound as it travels. 
• Hail storms with large hailstones may put dents in the metal roof but they are not any more susceptible to damage by hail than other types of roofs. Deep dents need to be fixed because the galvanized coating could be cracked and as water pools in the dent it will eventually lead to rust causing the metal to deteriorate. Whereas, minor denting with a textured metal roof is not in great danger of rusting nor is the denting readily visible from street level.
  

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Zinc Panel Roof

Copper Metal Panel Roof

Positives of Residential and Commercial Metal Roofs
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• Metal and tin roofing are resistant to fire, mildew, insects and rot.
  
• Most manufactures offer lifetime warranties. 
  
• They are so lightweight some styles can be applied over an existing roof without the need for a tear off or a buildup of structural support.
  
• Some metal roofing is painted with specially formulated “cool pigments” that will reflect UV rays back into the environment instead of transferring it inside.
  

Richmond VA Roofing provides metal roofing services for both residential and commercial properties throughout Richmond VA and the surrounding areas. Whether you need a new roof, roof replacement, or metal roof repair, we can help. Metal roofs should be installed and maintained by roofers who are familiar with them, since they are somewhat different from other traditional roofing options. Our crews have worked on many metal roofs and know the ins and outs of properly installing and caring for them. We take pride in providing great service and excellent craftsmanship. We have served clients for decades, proving commitment to community, hard work, and ethical business practices. Feel confident with warranties that we really stand behind, and knowing that all work is double-checked by crew leaders, and we take care to leave job sites clean every workday.

Give us a call or fill out the form to get a free estimate and consultation today!